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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
I really liked the premise of the storyline, i just didn't care about the characters at all.
This was a very interesting family story about legacy and life.
At some pints I felt like there was too much reputation of the frustrations felt by the children; though I also understand how the situation could lead to a jumble of thoughts/feelings.
I enjoyed how the story flipped between present day and flashbacks to Dana’s earlier life.
At some pints I felt like there was too much reputation of the frustrations felt by the children; though I also understand how the situation could lead to a jumble of thoughts/feelings.
I enjoyed how the story flipped between present day and flashbacks to Dana’s earlier life.
The beginning and ending were good. The middle felt like it lost is focus. There were so many tangents/flashbacks. The 1 day this book covered felt like a week.
*2.5
To be honest, I had a hard time finishing this book. While fairly well written, I found it very difficult to connect with the main character, Dava.
I understand she is supposed to be a complex woman, but it was very hard to read such a self-absorbed point of view. Throughout the book, we are told she is a great woman instead of being shown that she is. The main reason for her greatness lies on her ability to generate wealth and share it, even though we never see her business savvy, nor do we spend time on the people she helped. Instead, we read about her disregarding the people around her, and being annoyed by her family as they deal with the sudden news of her impending death. Dava’s last day consists of her absorbed in her own legacy as her family bickers amongst themselves outside of her room.
I would’ve thought this was intentional, unreliable narrator and all, but when her oldest son brings up valid concerns, he is hastily dismissed and humiliated for not acknowledging how great his mother is. The narrative itself never holds Dava accountable for the callous actions she takes, even excusing them. It was frustrating to see her describe cheating on her ever-loving husband as “self-care”, and then have that affair defended or ignored by most of her children.
However, the scene with the grandchildren and Sandi was very touching. It was one of the rare moments where no one had contempt for each other, which allowed the characters to genuinely connect and reflect. From here until she died, the book gained a bit of heart which was sorely needed.
All in all, an ok read. With the last few chapters as good as they were, I’d be curious to read more from the author.
To be honest, I had a hard time finishing this book. While fairly well written, I found it very difficult to connect with the main character, Dava.
I understand she is supposed to be a complex woman, but it was very hard to read such a self-absorbed point of view. Throughout the book, we are told she is a great woman instead of being shown that she is. The main reason for her greatness lies on her ability to generate wealth and share it, even though we never see her business savvy, nor do we spend time on the people she helped. Instead, we read about her disregarding the people around her, and being annoyed by her family as they deal with the sudden news of her impending death. Dava’s last day consists of her absorbed in her own legacy as her family bickers amongst themselves outside of her room.
I would’ve thought this was intentional, unreliable narrator and all, but when her oldest son brings up valid concerns, he is hastily dismissed and humiliated for not acknowledging how great his mother is. The narrative itself never holds Dava accountable for the callous actions she takes, even excusing them. It was frustrating to see her describe cheating on her ever-loving husband as “self-care”, and then have that affair defended or ignored by most of her children.
However, the scene with the grandchildren and Sandi was very touching. It was one of the rare moments where no one had contempt for each other, which allowed the characters to genuinely connect and reflect. From here until she died, the book gained a bit of heart which was sorely needed.
All in all, an ok read. With the last few chapters as good as they were, I’d be curious to read more from the author.
I was really interested in the premise, but the pacing was just..so...slow. It took me a while to get through this because I would lose interested and put it down for weeks at a time. Frankly I didn't really like any of the characters that much. What was the saving grace of this book was her interaction with her grandchild towards the end, but other than that, this one will probably be forgettable for me.
3.5 stars. I was leaning towards four stars until the end which felt a little anti-climatic, maybe that was the point. Interesting story idea with a complex main character and complicated family dynamics. Isn’t that real life?
It’s hard for me to sympathize with extremely rich people and bad moms.
This book had the potential to be a hard-hitting, emotional, examination of family and legacy. Instead, I did not feel connected to the multitude of characters, felt that the time jumps were awkward, and was longing to be done by the time I hit the halfway mark.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the Publisher for the ARC, but this just was not my cup of tea.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the Publisher for the ARC, but this just was not my cup of tea.
More wholesome and heart-tugging than I expected, but my enjoyment didn't wane. LOVE the story, the evolution of characters - even the annoying ones - and the interactions among Dava and the grandkids alone was worth the entire book.
This is one of those times when you grab the book immediately when you read the description and then it surprises you delightfully - I was taken away to this island, I trekked through the snow, I listened in on the secrets and scrolled through the gossipy YouTube channels. It's not as dysfunctional as I usually like, but I'm happy in where we landed and I might even be a better person for it.
This is one of those times when you grab the book immediately when you read the description and then it surprises you delightfully - I was taken away to this island, I trekked through the snow, I listened in on the secrets and scrolled through the gossipy YouTube channels. It's not as dysfunctional as I usually like, but I'm happy in where we landed and I might even be a better person for it.
This was an entertaining examination of a "great" woman and family dynamics around legacy and expectations. The rich in this book are looked at with a very kind eye.