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dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
Rich people are so weird, even in books. I don't remember why I wanted to read this book; I would enjoy a multigenerational saga about regular people a lot more. Also kind of disappointed that the grandchildren are such flat uninteresting characters.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
fast-paced
I really expected to love this book, but it never clicked. The characters for whatever reason were hard for me to differentiate. The names were confusing and honestly, not a one was fleshed out in anyway that made them memorable or interesting. Including Dava herself.
medium-paced
I really enjoy a book that takes place in like 1-2 days
This book took me by surprise, and although the plot of the MC on her death bed seems morbid, there were some great family dynamic elements and life reflection pieces. After finishing this book I needed to take time to collect my thoughts because the content is deeply emotional. Dava Shastri, a millionaire, has decided to seclude her family away so they do not learn her plan of announcing to the world she is dead. And yes, by the end of the weekend she will be dead, however Dava wanted to tell her family on her terms. And she also wanted to see how the world would reflect on her legacy.
The idea of the matriarch bringing her whole family together before she passes was noble and I enjoyed how the story wove together Dava’s reflection on her life as well as how her children took time to think about her life and therefore their own. Dava was scrutinized as a businesswoman, a wife, and mother.
The way Dava lived her life and made choices brought in the societal question, if a woman puts her work first, does that mean she is not a good mother? And through this story we are able to see from multiple perspectives and Dava’s own how her life was lived. I really enjoyed that although as a whole this family is very well off financially, that was not a main topic of contemplation.
I really enjoyed how the story unfolded and the moving from past to present to create a larger picture. Initially for the first third of the book I could not get past how selfish I felt Dava was. But as time went by, and events were retold, I understood the larger events of influence on some choices.
Overall this was a stunning debut. The characters were relatable and real. The family dynamics were intriguing and the premise was so unique.
The idea of the matriarch bringing her whole family together before she passes was noble and I enjoyed how the story wove together Dava’s reflection on her life as well as how her children took time to think about her life and therefore their own. Dava was scrutinized as a businesswoman, a wife, and mother.
The way Dava lived her life and made choices brought in the societal question, if a woman puts her work first, does that mean she is not a good mother? And through this story we are able to see from multiple perspectives and Dava’s own how her life was lived. I really enjoyed that although as a whole this family is very well off financially, that was not a main topic of contemplation.
I really enjoyed how the story unfolded and the moving from past to present to create a larger picture. Initially for the first third of the book I could not get past how selfish I felt Dava was. But as time went by, and events were retold, I understood the larger events of influence on some choices.
Overall this was a stunning debut. The characters were relatable and real. The family dynamics were intriguing and the premise was so unique.
I feel so many emotions finishing this book. It’s criminal how sad I felt at Dava’s death when the entire book is about her impending death.
This is a deeply complex book about the complicated paths our lives follow. The depiction of a messy, broken, grief addled family is so real. It was easy to see similarities between my own relationships and the characters’ relationships. I haven’t processed fully, but this book has a really profound message about the things that matter in life, how our actions impact our future, and being true to one’s passions, desires, and goals in life.
This is a deeply complex book about the complicated paths our lives follow. The depiction of a messy, broken, grief addled family is so real. It was easy to see similarities between my own relationships and the characters’ relationships. I haven’t processed fully, but this book has a really profound message about the things that matter in life, how our actions impact our future, and being true to one’s passions, desires, and goals in life.
reflective
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
This was an interesting read. Dava, matriarch of her family, announces her death before she dies in order to see the world’s reaction to the news. One part of the book is set in the present where she is surrounded by her 4 children and 4 grandchildren. The other part is her back story with her children and husband. The back part also includes a story about her other child who was given up for adoption. The house on Beatrix Island is a character unto itself, especially because there is a winter storm.