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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
DNF because I kept waiting for something to happen and Dava’s story wasn’t engaging enough. Although would be a good TV show or movie
Ok...this book was well written. I throughly enjoyed the character exploration, but for me, the book also DRAGGED. The stress of it being a library book I needed to return did not help the situation, although if I owned the book I doubt I would have finished it.
This was an enjoyable and easy read. This review is a note to myself to not pass on a book because it is not rated highly on Goodreads. Sometimes, you just need a fun read.
I was disappointed that the family tree included in the beginning of the book was incorrect according to certain passages. There were a few other general discrepancies, so I wasn’t blown away by the writing.
I didn’t read this to be blown away or indulged by juicy gossip. I just wanted to enjoy a book about famous, rich people and the insider perspective of family events that wasn’t a reality TV show like Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
Rating this a 4 because it was endearing, entertaining, made me smile at parts, and made me sad at parts. Nothing revolutionary, but I do think of this book fondly.
I was disappointed that the family tree included in the beginning of the book was incorrect according to certain passages. There were a few other general discrepancies, so I wasn’t blown away by the writing.
I didn’t read this to be blown away or indulged by juicy gossip. I just wanted to enjoy a book about famous, rich people and the insider perspective of family events that wasn’t a reality TV show like Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
Rating this a 4 because it was endearing, entertaining, made me smile at parts, and made me sad at parts. Nothing revolutionary, but I do think of this book fondly.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I got bored after four different attempts to pick it back up…
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
But this book has given me such immense disappointment for the author on behalf of everyone seeking appropriate representation.
Ok but I promise there were good things too!!!
1. The cover is stunning!!!
2. The plot was actually halfway decent? There was appropriate character development; the secrets were okay enough. They were definitely not a huge deal but obviously could hurt her children.
3. VINCENT WAS THE MOST WHOLESOME CINNAMON BUN EVER.
But like I was disappointed from so many other aspects?
1. This book was drowning in representation. I am a sucker for rep but it felt SO FORCED here. Like they just had to shove everything possible onto one family…it seemed unnatural. Especially the way everyone discussed it with varying degrees of emphasis.
2. Generous mischaracterization of Indian culture and Hinduism. Ok there is so much that goes under here I need to subpoint even more omg.
a. Dava’s first love and Sita’s first husband we’re both Indian and obviously to further the plot, they weren’t the best fit for one another. Which is….fine? I get that. But throughout the entire novel it is emphasized so heavily that they didn’t work out AND they were indian, that it makes the reader ask “did they not work because they were Indian?” whereas their second partners who were “definitely not Indian” appeared to be much kinder and perfect and accepting. In related news, Chaitanya was mocked in one instance for “marrying the perfect Indian husband.” as if that’s not of class.
b. At one point, I believe Dava(?), is discussing her mothers funeral and she mentions wearing a suffocating black dress. BLACK. Hindus don’t wear black to funerals! We wear white! I don’t understand how this could skip so obviously above the author’s head?????? And it was made clear that they are indeed Hindu by mentioning a Satyanarayan Pooja.
c. On the topic of a Satyanarayan Pooja, my girl Dava barely even knew what it was, and instead mocked her parents for wanting that after a housewarming. Yes, you can be unreligious but if you grew up in a religious household you cannot simply misunderstand what the Pooja itself does.
d. Minor issue but is Chaitanya even a female name? Most sources say it’s a male name and all the Chaitanyas I know are guys.
e. Everyone’s names were…..interesting. Like what is Arvie? I get its a nickname for Arvind but it sounds so shallow. And then. Sita was so fickle ab everything when she just went and called Sita Maa “most famous and long suffering spouse in Indian mythology” without considering what actually happened?
3. Dava’s feminism hit far from the mark. She speaks about reversing and breaking gender norms but then considers her husband to be “the wife” of the house. That’s just implying such a role can only be maintained by a wife? She could of said it much differently.
4. The characters were so stuck up who did I even like? (except Vincent) Basically everyone kept prioritizing their issues and they didn’t care about anyone else? Sita got mad her mom was asking her grandkids to plan a party without telling the adults. Grow up. Arvie was just physically infuriating. The author repeatedly dropped hints that urged readers to pity Arvie but he acted so inconsiderate of everyone. No one cares about Dava and honestly she did some unexplained cold things too.
5. The end was….not satisfying. Everyone made up (in a sense) but I was expecting a more resounding ending? A twist that would stick with us. And then. To tell us that Colin died of Parkinson’s a few years later??? They did him so dirty. Proud of Arvie for going to therapy and Rev for breaking up with Sandi but it felt…like not enough.
Anyways rant over I was just so sad after finishing this book like why do Indian inspired books always end up so bad???? Akshaya Raman is the only exception which is genuinely disappointing.
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The characters were not particularly lovable, but I was still invested in their stories. This book really made me reflect about different things like death, love, relationships, etc.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Suicide
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes