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maggiesasha's review against another edition
3.0
i liked it, but it felt kind of long. everyone in the book was insufferable and after a while i got tired of it.
jeanrray's review against another edition
4.0
Liked the message of the story - emphasizing charity, legacy and meaningful living, though would’ve like a faster pace read. Maybe that’s the point, to sit and reflect which pretty much occurs the entire novel.
pattyfeme's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
javafenn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Dana is dying so she brings her children to her beloved home to see out the last of her days before she dies by assisted suicide but not before she releases her obituary, before she’s even gone. What culminates is all of her children coming to terms with her death but also her life and her regrets in how she built an empire for them without taking the time to truly know them. This book was so sad but so happy. So fraught with generational trauma but also with care and love. Seeing how each child and their extended families dealt with Dava’s decisions was very interesting. It’s a great story of love and loss and the narrator was excellent.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Toxic relationship, Death, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Classism, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Physical abuse, Addiction, Sexual content, Alcohol, Death of parent, Grief, and Infidelity
excuseme_mam's review against another edition
2.0
I am sure at some point I should have developed sympathy for the main character, but I didn’t. She made a lot of selfish decisions for a vain idea of a legacy.
okevamae's review against another edition
5.0
The book opens with Dava Shastri, billionaire philanthropist, laughing over her own obituary. It’s followed shortly after by her adult children, who have gathered for the holidays, quite rightly demanding to know why the news is announcing their mother’s death. Dava has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and in addition to bringing her family together to break the news, she has arranged for the press to announce her death early so that she can read the things they say about her life and legacy. But the narrative swiftly moves out of Dava’s control as secrets long buried begin to surface.
The POV switches between various members of the Shastri-Persson family. Interspersed throughout are bits of press coverage and other writings that offer little glimpses into Dava’s life. The result is that we get a rounded, all-angles view of a very complex character: we know how her various family members think of her, we know how the world sees her, and we know the innermost thoughts of Dava herself – about her life, her family, and her legacy. The various relationships between members of the family are complex, compelling, and sometimes heartbreaking. If you love books about complicated family dynamics, this is a good one for you.
Representation: People of color as main characters, gay couple as main characters, polyamorous main character
CW: cancer, assisted suicide, infidelity
The POV switches between various members of the Shastri-Persson family. Interspersed throughout are bits of press coverage and other writings that offer little glimpses into Dava’s life. The result is that we get a rounded, all-angles view of a very complex character: we know how her various family members think of her, we know how the world sees her, and we know the innermost thoughts of Dava herself – about her life, her family, and her legacy. The various relationships between members of the family are complex, compelling, and sometimes heartbreaking. If you love books about complicated family dynamics, this is a good one for you.
Representation: People of color as main characters, gay couple as main characters, polyamorous main character
CW: cancer, assisted suicide, infidelity
spaces_and_solaces's review against another edition
5.0
Dava Shastri is a powerful billionaire. She had her staff announce her death days before her actual death to see how the news would play out in the world.
She is terminally ill, with advanced stage cancer & decides to end the life on her own terms in a remote private island surrounded by her 4 adult children, their partners as well as their kids.
Dava’s kids thought they were at the island celebrating Christmas & are completely blindsided by this news.
Though there’s nothing new to this. Their mother is a domineering figure in their life, controlling their every action & reaction and has left no stone unturned to fulfill her own vision of how the kids should lead their lives.
Or so it seems.
Ramisetti has done a wonderful job of having an Older Indian American woman who is a self-made billionaire at the center of the story. So often women are judged harshly for being ambitious, for having the desire of their name shining as bright as the stars. I could relate so deeply about Dava’s need for being at the very top, of commanding respect many women deserve, but few ever get.
Dava’s life unfurls through flashbacks as she indulges in her past memories one last time. The story takes us through her childhood of living with strict Indian parents & how her upbringing played a pivotal role in Dava making her own path & creating a name to be reckoned with. During her young adult phase, she meets the love of her life with whom she shares her life & her 4 children.
Ramisetti has handled all these ‘side’ characters with an expertise that frankly blew me away. The complexities of living under the shadow of their brilliant mom & dealing with personal insecurities & a lack of identity could be felt through Rev’s commitment issues, Sita’s desperation for a balanced life & being a dutiful daughter, Arvie’s alcoholism and Kali’s seemingly transient lifestyle.
This family is unique & complex.
Dava lived a thousand lifetimes in one. Dava was a beautiful, deeply flawed character with so many secrets which the author uncovers with a delicate poise.
I think Ramisetti walked on a tightrope to introduce us to a character who is so real, raw but at the same time larger than life.
I still can’t believe this is her debut novel and I can’t wait to read more of her stories.
P.S Pop Culture plays an integral part of the story & is as good as a character :) Happy Reading
She is terminally ill, with advanced stage cancer & decides to end the life on her own terms in a remote private island surrounded by her 4 adult children, their partners as well as their kids.
Dava’s kids thought they were at the island celebrating Christmas & are completely blindsided by this news.
Though there’s nothing new to this. Their mother is a domineering figure in their life, controlling their every action & reaction and has left no stone unturned to fulfill her own vision of how the kids should lead their lives.
Or so it seems.
Ramisetti has done a wonderful job of having an Older Indian American woman who is a self-made billionaire at the center of the story. So often women are judged harshly for being ambitious, for having the desire of their name shining as bright as the stars. I could relate so deeply about Dava’s need for being at the very top, of commanding respect many women deserve, but few ever get.
Dava’s life unfurls through flashbacks as she indulges in her past memories one last time. The story takes us through her childhood of living with strict Indian parents & how her upbringing played a pivotal role in Dava making her own path & creating a name to be reckoned with. During her young adult phase, she meets the love of her life with whom she shares her life & her 4 children.
Ramisetti has handled all these ‘side’ characters with an expertise that frankly blew me away. The complexities of living under the shadow of their brilliant mom & dealing with personal insecurities & a lack of identity could be felt through Rev’s commitment issues, Sita’s desperation for a balanced life & being a dutiful daughter, Arvie’s alcoholism and Kali’s seemingly transient lifestyle.
This family is unique & complex.
Dava lived a thousand lifetimes in one. Dava was a beautiful, deeply flawed character with so many secrets which the author uncovers with a delicate poise.
I think Ramisetti walked on a tightrope to introduce us to a character who is so real, raw but at the same time larger than life.
I still can’t believe this is her debut novel and I can’t wait to read more of her stories.
P.S Pop Culture plays an integral part of the story & is as good as a character :) Happy Reading
aniclou's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5