Book Review: ‘Dava Shastri’s Last Day: A Novel’ By Kirthana Ramisetti

The debut novel from author Kirthana Ramisetti is a page-turning story that you won’t want to put down. It’s a very character-driven novel, at it’s core about family and dealing with the death of a mother and a family having to come together and face their past and shape their futures. The year is 2044 and billionaire matriach and mother of four Dava Shastri is dying of terminal cancer and has gotten the whole family together for Christmas at her mansion on an island off of Long Island. She has her death leaked a few days before she plans to die of assisted suicide so she can see the reactions. Her kids learn of her death online before she’s even told them what her plans are or about her cance. As she reads about herself she sees some tributes and nice quotes but also about two potential scandals from her past that we learn about via flashbacks. She also has candid talks with each of her children about their futures and the kids have to come to terms with each other and their somewhat dysfunctional relationships with each other and of their mother’s shocking past. One of the best debut novels I have read in years.

You can pick up Dava Shastri’s Last Day in stores on Tuesday, November 30th from Grand Central Publishing.