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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
emotional
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
I wanted to like this so much more than I did. Unfortunately, the premise while interesting, was not enough for me. Dava Shastri is dying and has gathered her children to be near. She was not a great mother, and her kids are a fairly dysfunctional bunch. She has released her death notice prior to actually dying and is not at all happy with what the media has to say about her. Her need to control all aspects of her life and legacy make her very unattractive and her kids are seemingly thinking about how to do damage control, whereas in normal families they might just be allowed to grieve. I have recently read several novels about the 0.001% and their problems and unfortunately, the authors have not triggered the empath in me. The throughline for this novel is popular music from the 80s and 90s, so this may be of more interest to some.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Family dynamics and women's ambition -- such good, meaty topics to dive into!
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When billionaire Dava Shastri realizes she is dying, she decides to end things on her own terms. She gathers her family together for a last Christmas. When news of her death leaks out before she is dead, her children are frantic. Information is released about Dava's life and loves, things she had kept secret for years.
My favorite part of this story was the time she spent with the grandchildren and what they did and said. I felt that this was the most honest part of the book. The rest - about the adult children - was typical of adults concerned more about themselves then another person. It was an interesting and well written story of a life, and the memories, accomplishments, and regrets one makes in life.
I also listened to the book, and at the end is the song Dava.
My favorite part of this story was the time she spent with the grandchildren and what they did and said. I felt that this was the most honest part of the book. The rest - about the adult children - was typical of adults concerned more about themselves then another person. It was an interesting and well written story of a life, and the memories, accomplishments, and regrets one makes in life.
I also listened to the book, and at the end is the song Dava.
4 stars- Dava let’s her death leak before she’s actually dead and before she tells her children she’s dying. The rest of the book is all about her four children, their different reactions to the news, and the legacy that is left behind when you die. It’s definitely a thought provoking book about how you leave the world and if it’s a little better because of you.
challenging
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Poorly written and disappointing. Plus, the narrator is just awful.