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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
I rated this 3.5* mainly because I had to pick it up more than once. Although it was beautifully written, and I enjoyed the story and character development, it was just slow enough to make it difficult to get into at first. Dava Shastri has gathered her family for one last Christmas together, unbeknownst to them. When they begin to see news reports of her death, though, the family must come to terms with what the death of their matriarch means to each of them. And Dava herself must wrestle with her regrets and what she hopes will be her legacy. Beautiful idea, somewhat well-executed.
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the premise of this book. Dava Shastri is dying. She invites her family to her island to spend her last few days with her. Unbeknownst to her family, the billionaire has orchestrated a leak of news of her death one day early, for the sole purpose of reading what the world has to say about her. The prospect of knowing what people really think of you is quite enticing, so this is the reason I picked up this book, coupled with the fact that the main character is South Asian. Regrettably, I disliked every character. The children bickered over little things at every possible moment, and the problems they focussed on seemed unrelatable to me. The in-laws are practically two-dimensional. As a result, Dava's relationship with her family seems tenuous (which is the point at first) even to the end. The children mourning her at the end seem insincere and perfunctory.
I was also bothered by the attempt to frame Dava as an "ethical billionaire" when in fact it seemed that there was so much more that she could have done with her money to help others.
While I wanted to read this book all the way to the end, I am not compelled to reread, or recommend to anyone.
I was also bothered by the attempt to frame Dava as an "ethical billionaire" when in fact it seemed that there was so much more that she could have done with her money to help others.
While I wanted to read this book all the way to the end, I am not compelled to reread, or recommend to anyone.
I hated that this was so freaking good because it was also so freaking sad.
reflective
slow-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
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief, Pregnancy
Minor: Alcoholism
Made it to chapter 10. Its not bad but its not something i want to inhale right now so I might pick it up at a later time
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-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
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5 stars...
I liked the premise of this book and was really excited to read it, but I don't think it lived up to the hype.
I understand wanting to die on your own terms, but lying to be able to find out what the world says about you after you are gone is another thing! I had trouble keeping the characters and their backgrounds straight, felt bombarded with information at times.
I liked the premise of this book and was really excited to read it, but I don't think it lived up to the hype.
I understand wanting to die on your own terms, but lying to be able to find out what the world says about you after you are gone is another thing! I had trouble keeping the characters and their backgrounds straight, felt bombarded with information at times.