jonid 's review for:

Dava Shastri's Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti

3.0

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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.