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midnightmarauder's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Leaving Atlanta follows the story of three young children—LaTasha Baxter, Rodney Green, and Octavia Fuller—as they grow up in Atlanta, Georgia during the infamous Atlanta Child Murders.
The book is split into three parts, which follow each child's point of view and is written in a different narrative point of view. Tasha's point of view is written in third-person; Rodney's is written in second-person; and Octavia's is written in first-person.
The book is split into three parts, which follow each child's point of view and is written in a different narrative point of view. Tasha's point of view is written in third-person; Rodney's is written in second-person; and Octavia's is written in first-person.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Bullying, Physical abuse, Death, Child abuse, Child death, Grief, Classism, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Pedophilia
marisazane's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Three fifth graders narrate their school and home lives against the backdrop of the Atlanta child murders. This is fiction, but the murders were a real event that happened between 1979-81. Tasha is on the fringe of the popular group at school, but those girls always find ways to make her feel like she doesn’t quite fit in, like when her parents separate or a boy from the projects takes interest in her. Rodney’s a loner at school and steals candy from the store to gain friends and to defy his authoritarian father. Octavia is being raised by a single mom who lies and she gets teased at school about her dark skin. Despite limits parents and teachers put on the fifth graders’ newfound freedom to keep them safe from the predator, two children from the class go missing.
—
I expected this book to be something else, so it wasn’t a hit for me. Each child had an interesting story of the difficulties in their lives and what they perceived to be difficult. I wanted their stories to tie together better, but they were told consecutively and that didn’t work well for me. Their stories were also told from different narrative perspectives (first, second, third person), and if there was a literary significance to this, it was lost on me. 🤷🏻♀️ I also expected a mystery element to the story that was just not there. I enjoyed An American Marriage by this author much more and would recommend reading that one instead.
⭐️⭐️✨
—
I expected this book to be something else, so it wasn’t a hit for me. Each child had an interesting story of the difficulties in their lives and what they perceived to be difficult. I wanted their stories to tie together better, but they were told consecutively and that didn’t work well for me. Their stories were also told from different narrative perspectives (first, second, third person), and if there was a literary significance to this, it was lost on me. 🤷🏻♀️ I also expected a mystery element to the story that was just not there. I enjoyed An American Marriage by this author much more and would recommend reading that one instead.
⭐️⭐️✨
gott75's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
wyll's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
though the setting of the story is during a period of child murders, this book doesn't feel heavy, and I think that that only serves to aid the story, since it's told from the viewpoint of children - because even if children do understand the gravity of something, it still doesn't register fully. there is a sharp fear that's present, that you feel in the way they react to the events unfolding in their community, but there's also this aloofness about the crimes as a whole that's very childlike, but doesn't detract from the story, and isn't unbearable. the three narrators are similar, primarily in their identity and how being black and a child in a time where both of those are incredibly dangerous (not that it's ever stopped being so, especially for the former), but still so different that each shift in perspective is fresh. overall, it's a beautifully written tale about growing up, about friendships, about coming to understand what lurks in the dark. it's haunting.
alisonlaw's review
5.0
Divided into three parts, written from the perspective of three different children living in the shadow of the Atlanta Child Murders (1979-1981). Beautifully written from three different narrative points of view. Part 2 broke my heart.
krweave's review against another edition
3.0
Loved how it made me reminiscent of old Atlanta, and it was nice having actual knowledge of the locations to place myself in the characters' shoes. However, the story was slower than expected, and I struggled to remain engaged during the first two points of view (and the shift between first, second, and third person was weird). Still, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the third character's pov as it reminded me the most of home.
beckimoody29's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book but I thought that it would have more about the murders themselves. I ended up googling in order to have any information at all. Now to be fair that was my expectations and the book jacket was clear that its "set against the backdrop". However, since this is a part of history that isn't well-known or remembered I think it might have added something. Or maybe not -- maybe MS Jones has no obligation to educate the rest of us and we can all Google if we want to know. again, I very much liked the kids and the portrayals but thought it could have just as easily fit into any current big city with a backdrop of gang violence and drive-by shootings.
valpacheco's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I think this a really wonderful debut novel. The premise of the novel was really interesting to me, and a chance to learn about a moment in history that I wasn't previously aware of through three interesting viewpoints. I liked the experimental nature of each child we were with being written in a different style--I felt like the addressing of "you" was especially smart for Rodney, who was an outsider. I also really loved that last line of the book, which I felt summed up the feeling of all three children well.
While I loved every section of the book, I felt myself yearning for more time with each character and wanting a slightly stronger connection and throughline. There were so many interesting conversations started about class, colorism, etc. that were just initally started. Yet all in all this was smartly written, beautiful prose, and left me wanting more. I would read more of Tayari Jones.
While I loved every section of the book, I felt myself yearning for more time with each character and wanting a slightly stronger connection and throughline. There were so many interesting conversations started about class, colorism, etc. that were just initally started. Yet all in all this was smartly written, beautiful prose, and left me wanting more. I would read more of Tayari Jones.
tnociti's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5