Kirthana Ramisetti’s novel Dava Shastri’s Last Day is the latest pick for the Good Morning America book club.
Ramisetti’s debut novel follows a wealthy woman, dying of cancer, who leaks the news of her own death in order to examine how her legacy will be remembered in the press. A critic for Kirkus called the novel “a solid debut that will appeal to readers who enjoy quirky family stories with a focus on character over action.”
“The book has [a] unique plot,” ABC reporter Deborah Roberts said, announcing the selection. “It’ll grab you from the beginning, twists and turns, and above all, a nice, cozy read for the holiday season.”
Ramisetti told Good Morning America that her novel is about “family dynamics and dysfunction.”
“Right now, we’re in the middle of the holiday season, which means many of us will be gathering with our loved ones,” she said. “And this novel is so much about how we love our family and can find them frustrating in equal measure.”
The production company Veritas Entertainment Group optioned the rights to Ramisetti’s novel earlier this year, and is planning to develop it as a television show.
“Kirthana Ramisetti’s writing, point of view, and the characters she created caught our attention immediately and we are confident viewers are going to love them as much as we do when they are adapted for television,” Veritas producer Peter Jaysen told Variety.
Dava Shastri’s Last Day is scheduled for publication Tuesday by Grand Central Publishing.
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
