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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
Like everyone else that had said this, I will echo the idea that the cover looks like Rekha and yes that was one of the reasons I grabbed this book.
I was hoping Dava Shastri was this cool and collected and just effortless like Rekha. But the Dava I met, was a flawed and frail Dava at the end of her life, very much on the defensive. I didnt dislike the Dava I met, she was fine, but through her kids, I saw a lot of judgement for Dava that came through that I didnt like.
I hated that while the book was set in 2044, she was still defending and justifying her choices. Her choice to deal with an unwanted pregnancy in college the way she saw fit, her choice to put career over family and to succeed. Her choice even to do philantropy to further her brand. Why is she being judged constantly for these choices?
I was also irritated that Dava was supposed to be a typo and such a unique word with no meaning. Research would tell you that from the same subcontinent just a few states over from where Dava was supposed to be, is that state of Gujurat where Dava is medicine and not such an unknown word in that language. It irked me through out that book.
Why do we judge women to pursue careers, not everyone is cut out to be the cookie baking PTA mom. On the flip side as a society we also liberally judge women for choosing to not pursue careers and be content with a job or even being a Stay at home mom. No matter what, society and us as women judge other women. This book was a lot of vitriol and judgement directed at Dava.
I really do hope in 2044 we are past those bombshells and why should some of that information emerge only after news of her death. If the speculation regarding her extra marital affair had existed for decades, why would it overshadow her death notice, even above all her achievements and true self made billionaire status.
Obviously I was disappointed, not sure if that disappointment was for the book, my expectations of the book, or for us as a society.
I was hoping Dava Shastri was this cool and collected and just effortless like Rekha. But the Dava I met, was a flawed and frail Dava at the end of her life, very much on the defensive. I didnt dislike the Dava I met, she was fine, but through her kids, I saw a lot of judgement for Dava that came through that I didnt like.
I hated that while the book was set in 2044, she was still defending and justifying her choices. Her choice to deal with an unwanted pregnancy in college the way she saw fit, her choice to put career over family and to succeed. Her choice even to do philantropy to further her brand. Why is she being judged constantly for these choices?
I was also irritated that Dava was supposed to be a typo and such a unique word with no meaning. Research would tell you that from the same subcontinent just a few states over from where Dava was supposed to be, is that state of Gujurat where Dava is medicine and not such an unknown word in that language. It irked me through out that book.
Why do we judge women to pursue careers, not everyone is cut out to be the cookie baking PTA mom. On the flip side as a society we also liberally judge women for choosing to not pursue careers and be content with a job or even being a Stay at home mom. No matter what, society and us as women judge other women. This book was a lot of vitriol and judgement directed at Dava.
I really do hope in 2044 we are past those bombshells and why should some of that information emerge only after news of her death. If the speculation regarding her extra marital affair had existed for decades, why would it overshadow her death notice, even above all her achievements and true self made billionaire status.
Obviously I was disappointed, not sure if that disappointment was for the book, my expectations of the book, or for us as a society.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
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
reflective
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
3.5 stars - I love the concept of the story, but it moved rather slowly
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I still can’t decide if I liked this book or not. Its characters were messy as hell, but I usually don’t have a problem with that. I did admire its emphasis on women in power and the cost of that to them. And Dava’s drive to get exactly what she wanted was absolutely fascinating. I think my issue was with the structure — the “big reveal” was fairly early on, and there was a lot of back and forth explaining it, but it felt a bit clunky and slow. I’m still thinking about it a week or so later, which isn’t a bad thing! Very interested to hear what other people thought — this is one I could see liking or disliking more after discussing it with someone.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated