A poignant and moving debut novel that explores identity, grief and the meaning of family. Five years have passed since the death of Keya Das, one of two daughters of Shantanu and Chaitali. The death of Keya caused the Das family to splinter. Shantanu and Chaitali divorced and their remaining eldest daughter Mitali left for New York City. Most importantly, the Das family lives each day with regret that they were not accepting of their teenage daughter Keya after opening up to the family of her being a lesbian. As the anniversary of Keya's death approaches, Shantanu utterly alone at home decides it's time for him to move on. When clearing up the home, Shantanu discovers a box tucked away in the attic with Keya's unfinished play manuscript. This one surprising discovery leads the Das family to stage the play in honor of Keya's memory and their chance to make amends.

I was mainly drawn to this story due to the creativity element which was theater. I thought the idea was intriguing and definitely captured my attention. The main theme of the story touches on the complex family drama. Sopan Deb effortlessly exhibits grief in multiple layers for each of the Das family differently. Deb isn't afraid to be open and raw when confronting devastation. The difficult experiences are well translated through the characters' minuscule detailed moments that ring across the page. The process of staging a play forces the family to confront their past and their unresolved conflicts. The parallel dynamic in the unfolding of the play and the family reconnection was beautifully shaped. I truly connected with the Shantanu character. I loved the growth and the journey of self-discovery he experiences. One quibble about this novel was on the character Neesh. I honestly felt like Neesh's presence was a little confusing. He wasn't related to the family yet he played a great role and we learn about his back story the most than the Das family. Including Neesh's character in the story was fine but I felt like his dark backstory was over the top. Or maybe this was the author's intent as afterall playwrights do use dramatic techniques to capture their audience? The ending was elegantly done. The open ending could be considered unsatisfying for some readers but I appreciated how it mirrored life. Life is still a working progress and the ending is a representation of that. This is a heartwarming and powerful novel on redemption and love.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It's based on a true story which is perhaps why the emotions seemed so genuine. I think Sopan Deb did an excellent job bringing the story of a family splintered by misunderstanding and guilt to life. He also exemplified the importance of family, taking risks and forgiveness of both self and others. I also appreciated learning more about about the Bengali culture. Thanks to NetGalley, Simon &Schuster and Sopan Deb for a great book.

KEYA DAS'S SECOND ACT is a surprisingly touching read that deftly explores its themes, though I'm personally not too fond of the writing and some of the story decisions.

I like the premise of this novel, how the titular 'second act' isn't merely for Keya but for her family and their do-over as well. The characters are mostly fleshed out - I particularly enjoy the Dases and their character development - but my favorite aspect of the story is the nuance with which family relations are portrayed, especially the strained, complex nature of estranged families. Some scenes also have a surprising amount of emotional impact, and the musings on guilt, grief, and loss ring true.

However, I dislike the writing, especially in the beginning where it reads particularly clunky and awkward, and doesn't flow well at points. The strange focus - or lack thereof - on certain aspects of the story also befuddles me: Deb sometimes points out the smallest, most irrelevant details - like the minutiae of what lines a kitchen shelf - but then completely glosses over more important things, such as how Neesh re-contacts Sandeep and of course the biggest cop out: the play's ending. How'd you make a hard-to-please Tony-award winning jerk of a director love a play's ending and not reveal what it is? Despite the fact that the play's the very premise of which is the very focus of the novel?

A book's emotional impact is an important part of the reading experience for me, and the fact that this story succeeds in the aforementioned respect is the only reason why it's gotten 3 stars despire my misgivings.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the free book.
This is a story of how a family continues after the loss of their daughter and sister, Keya. While she is never alive in this story, her presence is threaded throughout in all of the ways her family is living or staying stagnant. After discovering her play, the family must decide what to do to honor her life. This is also a book about forgiveness and reconciliation. When Keya died, she was not in communication with her parents and sister because they did not accept her coming out, so they harbor so much guilt - and this book shows the journey of moving forward so well. It captures the complexities and hardships of a grieving family. I feel like the emotions in this book were portrayed so well. I could feel the guilt and grief of the Das family. I became thoroughly invested in this family's process of moving on.
I did struggle a bit with Neesh's POV and storyline. In the end, it felt incomplete.

Life goes sideways for the Das family when Keya comes out-her father Shantanu doesn't accept it, her sister Mitali focuses only on herself, and her mother Chaitali is sort of ok- and then Keya is killed in an accident and they all spin apart. Now, five years later, Shantanu is selling the family home because they are no longer and family and he discovers something that brings them back together. The play Keya was writing with her girlfriend Pamela becomes a touchstone of sorts. Mitali's boyfriend Neesh (not my favorite for reasons that will become apparent) suggests they stage it and this then becomes a journey of reconciliation for the family and for Pamela. It's an interesting look at collective family grief and regret. Know that Keya remains somewhat of a cipher. I liked the insight into the life of a Bengali American family but know also that there are untranslated Bengal words and phrases (how much this bothers you will depend on if you read through them looking at context or if you stop to look them up). Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A good read.

Keya Das's Second Act tells a story of grief, guilt, healing and redemption. We pick up with the Das's after the tragic death of their youngest daughter. Things are estranged for the three remaining family members and they are barely speaking with each other. After finding a box with letters and an unfinished play, the family takes steps to heal themselves. I loved this book. I found the characters flawed but learning and growing. I thought it was a genuine reflection of trying to gather the pieces after the death of a loved one. The quirkiness of Mitali and Neesh and their relationship really added to the story. My only complaint was there was a bit of Bengali words used without context, but I don't think it detracted from the overall story.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy.

Keya Das’s Second Act by Sopan Deb

Published: July 5, 2022
Simon & Schuster
Pages: 284
Genre: Asian American Literature
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Sopan Deb is a writer for The New York Times, where he has covered culture and basketball. He is also a New York City-based comedian. Before joining the Times, Deb was one of a handful of reporters who covered Donald Trump's presidential campaign from start to finish as a campaign embeds for CBS News. He covered hundreds of rallies in more than 40 states for a year and a half and was named a “breakout media star” of the election by Politico.

“The answer you want to give and the truth are two different things.”

Shantanu Das has lived a difficult life for the past couple of years. His youngest daughter died in a car accident, and they had a falling out before the accident. His wife divorced him. His oldest daughter was distant. He was going through the motions. Until he discovered a box of Kaya’s writing in the attic. And suddenly, new life was breathed into the Das family and close friends. Sometimes, forgiving yourself for mistakes you’ve made is the hardest lesson to learn.

I really enjoyed this novel. As a Caucasian female, I loved learning about Bengali culture. It was fascinating. The traditions, the attire, the familial roles. Beautifully delivered and expertly delivered.

This story was heavy. But in such a heartbreakingly beautiful way. This was a journey of forgiveness, acceptance, growth, and learning that it’s okay for life to continue after the tragedy.

I e joyed each of these characters and found their roles so brilliantly written. Everyone has a past, everyone makes mistakes, and it’s okay to learn and grow and move on.

Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting. When this theme appeared, I felt like it slapped me in the face. The last several chapters in this novel were so heartfelt and truly powerful.

The ending was really just a fresh start. A release. A freedom that was truly deserved and had been hard-earned. Everything about this journey was personal and powerful.

When Keya Das comes out to her family, they do no react well and are unsupportive. After she dies, they find a copy of a play she had written and produce the play to atone and honor her memory. Interesting characters all fighting their own demons.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC! I enjoyed this one a lot. Its always fascinating to see how family dynamics play out having faced a tragedy. I wish we could've had more in regards to some characters stories, see them fleshed out a bit more but all in all it was an enjoyable read.

Fathers make mistakes, mothers do the same, sisters as well. The tragedy is living with the truth of the mistake, realizing there is no way to rectify the wrong, no redo. This is a well written story with interesting characters, situations and a wealth of information regarding the Bengali community in a small New Jersey town.

While I appreciate the time and effort to mold this story I struggled with the inability to embrace different lifestyles and the delicate dance around important issues. Acknowledging a homophobic attitude that chooses appearance over acceptance, while it may be true, just smacks so wrong.

3-1/2 stars rounded up. Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a copy.

Keya Das’s Second Act by Sopan Deb
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This is a story about a family whose younger daughter died at 18. Years have past and they are each broken in their own way. When her father finds a play his daughter wrote before she dies, it offers a hope that no one could have anticipated.
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What I liked:
-I enjoyed how the play brought everyone together to honor Keya’s memory and help them heal.
-The connections that where made between the different characters was interesting and I enjoyed each one.
-I think Shantanu and Catherine were my favorite characters, I was really happy for their relationship. And I loved how they meet in the book.
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What I didn’t like:
-The story ended abruptly for me. I would have liked a few more things tied up. But that is just me, I struggle with open endings. 😅😅
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3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 This was a sobering read but there were moments of humor to that made me chuckle. Heartwarming is a good word for it. If it weren’t for the open ending I think I would have enjoyed it more, but as I said, those just aren’t for me.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Sopan Deb for an ARC of this book!**

If this novel was a Friends episode, it would be called "The One Where Keya Doesn't Quite Get Her Due"

Keya Das's family is reeling, for a few reasons: they are Bengali, and Keya came out to them, leaving the family speechless. Before they could wrap their heads around this reality, Keya's gone, in a flash...for good. A tragic car accident takes her life, leaving the family grief stricken and their bond shattered. Shantanu has divorced from wife Chaitali, and their older daughter Mitali has moved forward with her own life, looking for love and happiness of her own.

A chance finding in the attic sparks Shantanu to revisit his emotions and try to draw his family close once more: Keya and her then girlfriend, Pamela, have written a play: more specifically, a play about the experience of coming out. Shantanu is no actor and not quite a thespian by any stretch, but luckily for him, daughter Mitali's new squeeze has some connections to the Broadway world and thinks the family can raise enough money to actually PRODUCE and put on the play, as an homage to what SHOULD have been.

Of course, this sounds simple enough to seasoned professionals, but to a family toting around back-breaking emotional baggage, Shantanu starts to wonder if this dream can TRULY become a reality. And more importantly, is Pamela even open to sharing such raw and emotional thoughts about her relationship with the world at large? Can Keya's family transform a haunting and harrowing memory into an opportunity to show her the love she so sorely deserved?

Sopan Deb is a sportswriter (something I didn't know until finishing this book) and honestly, it makes a lot of sense. I am very much the outlier in my opinion, but I did not connect with these characters whatsoever. For a book that was supposed to be "in honor" of Keya, we don't get to hear a thing from her. I understand her death is part of the story, but in order to have SOME emotional component that got me from A to B, it would have been very easy to have more solid flashbacks. There were small ones here and there, but they were caught in-between other sections almost randomly, and I felt the narrative lacked structure.

And then there's the dialogue: Oof. So many of the 'jokes' these characters tell were just...not funny. For instance, a character is referred to as "Daddy Dilbert" and we are supposed to find that hilarious.

...Other than the comic strip, I don't think I've ever found anything containing the word "Dilbert" to be hilarious.

This novel deals with some heavy topics, so I don't expect a laugh a minute experience by ANY means, but even during Santanu's time attempting improv comedy (YIKES) I don't think I recorded a single laugh or even a smile. I figured this dynamic would help to balance out the sad subject matter, but I honestly didn't find it too sad either. The circumstances were, for sure, but nothing about Deb's writing was emotive for me. Most of the characters only seemed to care about Keya in reference to their own guilt, so it was hard to empathize with their situation.

Deb also intersperses this novel with LOTS of Bengali words...a trend that I seem to be finding in so many novels lately. Almost every time, no context is present, so you're left to guess or stop and look up a word (again) and hope the translation is close to what the author intended. I don't expect a glossary every time a word is unfamiliar, but context at least would be helpful. This didn't ruin the reading experience as it wasn't AS disruptive as it had been in other recent reads, but I still was a bit unclear on certain words after Googling, so that was a bit off-putting.

For a book that claims to be about a second act...don't expect a third. After all our characters go through, there isn't a clear ending and the book just sort of stops after lots of buildup. The second half was more engaging than the first half, but that stung all the more when I didn't get to find out what happened to any of these family members. I don't mind 'writing my own ending' in many cases, but in a book like this, some resolution (since ostensibly the WHOLE BOOK was supposed to be resolution) would have been wonderful.

As much as I wanted to give this one a standing ovation for its inspiration (from true life events!) and creativity, I still wish Keya had survived to write her own destiny...because much like the mile-a-minute lyrics from I'm Getting Married Today in Sondheim's musical Company I'm not quite sure her family ever actually figured them out.

3.5 stars

"Keya Das's Second Act" is truly a lovely book about how we can overcome the prejudices we've been taught and grow as people. We are not locked in to be one sort of person; we can learn to be better. It's a beautiful story of family, traditions, acceptance, regret, and second chances. I loved how the characters evolved from the first page to the last. I laughed and cried right along with them. My heart broke and healed. Mr. Deb is a very talented writer and this is an impressive debut novel.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the privilege of reading an advanced digital copy of this phenomenal debut novel in exchange for my honest review. I look forward to reading more from Sopan Deb!

I love the premise of this book. It makes for such an interesting read and the author did such a good job. The story was so well-written and I loved the dimensions to the different characters.

*4.5 stars rounded up! This is an astonishingly good debut novel about a close-knit Bengali-American family which has begun to unravel after their teen daughter Keya 'comes out' to them. Her mother, father, older sister all react badly in that first shocking moment and unfortunately, as events unfold, they will have no opportunity to make amends to her. This story deals with their grief and the pursuit of redemption for their mistakes in a very unique way as they come together to produce a play begun by their daughter and her friend and love, Pamela.

Inspired by a true story and the New Jersey Bengali community in which the author was raised, his story is poignant and so touching, his characters, flawed yet real. I highly recommend this unique and well-written family drama from an author with a fresh voice and perspective.

I received an arc of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for the opportunity.

The Das family has been decimated by the death of the youngest daughter, Keya. The Bengali American family not sure how to handle the grief of their loss, pulled away from each other. Shantanu, the patriarch, was in the attic and found a box burried. To his surprise and amazement, there was a play written by his teenage daughter at the time, Keya. Shantanu first shows the box to his eldest daughter, Mitali, and then to his ex-wife and mother of Keys, Chaitali.

At first I was distracted and annoyed with Neesh Desai's role in the book. It felt like, at first, it was too much of a roll and too much detail of Neesh's past was given. But over time, Neesh's part in story unfolded.

Sopan Deb has delivered a story that will draw the readers in. I found myself at first not wanting to pick up the book but after I would, I found myself asking myself why I wasn't reading this book faster.

Keya Das's Second Act was a lovely surprise of a book. I was not familiar with Deb's previous works and did not know what to except. I appreciated that Deb did not wrap up the book with a pretty little bow. This is a story that is heart-wrenching, beautiful, heavy all at the same time. Don't miss reading this book.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

Note: Goodreads will not let me post my review. So I will continue to work on it.

Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time! That’s not an easy balance to strike but this debut novel worked well for me.

This is the story of a Bengali family struggling following the death of their daughter Keya shortly after her family’s poor reaction to her coming out as gay. Each family member has regrets and their relationships with each other are broken. This was obviously the heartbreaking part of the story. But what I found heartwarming and poignant were the ways they all grew, became vulnerable, admitted failures and worked towards growth and reconciliation. Even though the ending was not quite what I would have wanted, I can appreciate the rejection of a nice tidy wrap up that probably would have diminished the impact. Complicated family stories are a favorite of mine and I really enjoyed this one.

I was surprised that I got approved for this book but I was in love with it from start to finish. It was such an important book. Queer rep often focuses solely on white people, and in this book we got an amazing look into queerness as it exists in Desi communities. This book is so important not only as sapphic rep, but representation of acceptance and what happens when we don’t accept.

Keya Das’s Second Act is such a heartfelt story. Every parent believes they know what is best for their child. What happens when they handle a situation totally wrong. And there isn’t time to fix things. This is the story if the Das family and how they get past their mistakes. It isn’t always pretty and some tears are shed along the way but it is ultimately a beautiful story. My only complaint- it ended too soon. I needed a few more chapters of closure.

While cleaning out his attic after his divorce, Shantanu Das finds a stash of secret papers left behind by his late daughter, Keya, who died as a teenager. Among them he finds notes written between Keya and her secret girlfriend, Pamela – and a script for a play that they were writing together. Shantanu has lived for five years with the guilt of not accepting his daughter’s sexuality before she died, and is somewhat estranged from his other daughter, Mitali. After Mitali’s boyfriend Neesh reads the script, he convinces her that they need to stage the play in Keya’s memory. But to do that, their broken family will have to come together – and they will have to get Pamela’s permission.

This was a sad and lovely story which in many ways is about atonement for past mistakes and moving on from trauma. It also explores traditional Bengali culture’s resistance to American culture and the fight for and acceptance of gay rights, the younger generation’s embrace of them, and the struggle of the generation in between – like Shantanu and Chaitali – to come to terms with the new culture after being raised by the old.

I really liked this book, but I felt like it ended very suddenly. I was not quite satisfied with the end and I’m not completely sure why. I wanted to know how Pamela’s parents would react. (Though I feel like if it went badly, Keya’s family would probably be there for her in the way they couldn’t be there for their daughter.) I also really want to know how the play ended, and how it was received. I don’t like endings that leave too many important threads hanging, but I can also see how tying everything up in a neat little bow would be too pat. Still, overall, it’s very good. Four stars.

Representation: Most characters are Bengali Americans

CW: homophobia, alcoholism, colorism, drug abuse