3.53 AVERAGE

emotional reflective 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

I rated this book 4/5 stars! The premise of this book was fascinating. Before she dies, Dava Shastri has her lawyer release a press statement saying that she has died. She wants to know how she'll be remembered, and her children and grandchildren have to deal with the skeletons that come out of the closet. I thought Dava was a well-rounded character. It leads to an interesting discussion of legacy and the mark that we leave on the world.
emotional reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging emotional 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

I think this was a very well-written book; I just didn't enjoy it. It's hard to enjoy a character-driven story when the characters are the main thing don't like about it. I'm just completely unable to feel any kind of sympathy or compassion for a billionaire, even a fictional one. I *do* love any discussion and awareness of assisted suicide, and I genuinely did love the premise. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional reflective medium-paced

3.5 stars. Uber wealthy philanthropist Dava gathers her family on a secluded island retreat for the Christmas holiday and what will be her last few days. She is dying and has arranged for a medically assisted suicide. As she reflects on her life, her children do too. No child ever knows what goes on between parents - but the reader gets a lot: driven feminism, an adoption, terminal illness, an affair, and parental control. At times inspirational and at times repetitive and dull. Adult children who are (still) grappling with loss, resentment, control, self-doubt, anger, and guilt. Their relationship with each other now and from the past colors reactions and responses. Added in are grandchildren and partners and there are a lot of characters to keep track of - developed to different degrees. The end is the usual ‘oh by the way - lots of things crammed into a few pages to finish it all up. I was ready.
inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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