Dava Shastri's Last Day

by Kirthana Ramisetti

Book Overview

In this novel "full of music, magnetism, and familial obligation" (Emma Straub, author of All Adults Here) a dying billionaire matriarch leaks news of her death early so she can examine her legacy--a decision that horrifies her children and inadvertently exposes secrets she has spent a lifetime keeping.

Dava Shastri, one of the world's wealthiest women, has always lived with her sterling reputation in mind. A brain cancer diagnosis at the age of seventy, however, changes everything, and Dava decides to take her death--like all matters of her life--into her own hands.

Summoning her four adult children to her private island, she discloses shocking news: in addition to having a terminal illness, she has arranged for the news of her death to break early, so she can read her obituaries.

As someone who dedicated her life to the arts and the empowerment of women, Dava expects to read articles lauding her philanthropic work. Instead, her "death" reveals two devastating secrets, truths she thought she had buried forever.

And now the whole world knows, including her children.

In the time she has left, Dava must come to terms with the decisions that have led to this moment--and make peace with those closest to her before it's too late. Compassionately written and chock-full of humor and heart, this powerful novel examines public versus private legacy, the complexities of love, and the never-ending joys--and frustrations--of family.

A Good Morning America and Lilly Singh's Lilly Library Book Club pick

Most anticipated in fall 2021 by TIME, The Washington Post, Bustle, Goodreads, and Debutiful - An Indie Next Pick - A Publishers Marketplace Buzz Book for Fall/Winter 2021 - Longlisted for the 2021 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1538703866
• ISBN13: 9781538703861
• Release Date: November 2021
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

dissapointing

“‘From my body,flowers shall grow and I am in them and that is eternity’- Edvard Munch” The premise is very “daytime serial”[aka soap opera-ish]:In 2044,a wealthy woman philanthropist decides on assisted dying, invites family to be with her, announces her death a day early so she can read her own obituaries, but instead of the hagiographies she was hoping for, old secrets spill out. So, when I opened the book- one that quickly jumped onto “everybody has to read this” list (and was in my TBR list), I was kind of disappointed. I think these same premises could have been a much shorter book. It is very hard to read. I purposefully steered clear of reviews, and I’m sure they are all over the charts. Imagine needing to plan your death because you want to see how the world might remember you. Yes, she is terminal and close to the end but to want to see the accolades: affirmations that she did well. And when they aren’t, it takes her kids, going through their own issues to complete the story. That’s where I began to lose interest.