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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
🎧🛁 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 🛁🎧
Dava Shastri’s Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti
Narrated by Soneela Nankani
“Death takes so much, but it never will rob you of your memories.”
Synopsis: Dava Shastri is the matriarch of her family. She has gathered them all together for Christmas at their vacation home - but there’s something her family doesn’t know. Dava is sick, this is to be her last Christmas, and she’s ending her life on her terms.
This was such a lovely listen. A family drama I love, but this family drama had so much heart behind it, and you could feel it throughout the book. The narration was amazing - kudos to Soneela Nankani.
One of the major themes at play during this book is learning your parents aren’t perfect people and coping with that. Davas children and grandchildren struggle with this reality while also struggling with their mothers decision of assisted suicide. Being someone who is very close with their headstrong mother, this hit really close to home for me. The dynamics at play with the siblings, their children, and their significant others felt very genuine. The way everyone grappled with finding out secrets about their mother before she’s gone was handled extremely well and played out like real life.
I suggest listening to this on audio, as there’s a special surprise at the end that really got me. The takeaway is that memories will always last even if those you made them with are gone, good or bad. I give Dava Shastri’s Last Day 9.5/10 bubble baths!📚🛁✨
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Big fan of the commentary on a woman being successful on her own rather than using her husbands wealth and success to become a philanthropic power. The book touched on assisted suicide, polyamory, gender roles, racial stereotypes, honestly what didn’t it talk about? Pretty easy and quick read just overall not really enough of either a feel good book nor a social commentary book to really be either one but overall good read.
emotional
reflective
slow-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
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
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
I truly loved this novel! I struggled in the beginning with some of the character relationships, but focused instead simply on Dava and her story, which helped me sink in and fall in love. I still don't love a few of Dava's children, and dislike some of the decisions they made, but a flawed character (or three) makes for impecible storytelling, for sure!