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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
I don't normally read popular fiction. Last week when I was cataloguing books as part of my library job, this book came across my desk. I read the inside front cover and immediately felt hooked by the premise -- a billionaire philanthropist whose life is about to end decides to announce her death early so she can read her own obituaries. The story is a sweeping family saga that takes place over the death announcement day and the following day. Every storyline in compelling, rich with history and emotion. It's the sort of book where I kept saying, "okay, just one more chapter and then I'll take a break." Highly recommend!
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For a slow-burn read perfect for book clubs, Dava Shastri's Last Day is sure to make you think more deeply about lives and legacies.
This is a powerful story about careers, death, and family that will stay with you long after closing the novel.
Dava is complicated, imperfect, and utterly amazing.
Read our full review on The Uncorked Librarian here: https://www.theuncorkedlibrarian.com/books-set-on-islands/
This is a powerful story about careers, death, and family that will stay with you long after closing the novel.
Dava is complicated, imperfect, and utterly amazing.
Read our full review on The Uncorked Librarian here: https://www.theuncorkedlibrarian.com/books-set-on-islands/
I was intrigued with this story at the beginning, enjoying it at least 2/3 of the way through. But by the last quarter of the book, I found it difficult to keep plodding on, almost like wading through mud. It was just too tedious and tiresome.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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
A fun mix of family drama/history and rich people problems, both of which greatly appeal to me. It's interesting that the setting is in the future rather than being set in today and looking back over the past ~forty years.
I won this book in a giveaway -- thank you Grand Central Publishing! -- and was pleased to find I really enjoyed it. I did find myself wishing for some more time spent exploring Dava's children and their lives as adults, but overall I found the book to be a fun exploration of complex relationships.
I thought some of the key aspects of the plot seemed a bit far-fetched but it was easy enough to ignore that nagging feeling.
I thought some of the key aspects of the plot seemed a bit far-fetched but it was easy enough to ignore that nagging feeling.