A review by andrews_bookshelf
Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I'm actually in awe right now. This was an absolutely haunting, traumatizing, powerful, frightening, relevant, ominous, and stunning read. 📚 
Rumaan Alam captured me in the modern-day world he carefully crafted, complete with thrilling events that psychologically affected me as the reader.

This was a VERY different kind of thriller. Themes of war, terrorism, fear, and so much more were tackled in the narrative. Instead of clear and concrete events/answers, Alam wrote of various ominous events that slowly began to affect the same few characters. I found it quite powerful that the setting itself never once changed -
only the perspectives, mental states, and physicsl states of the characters themselves.
 

The character development in this novel was subtle, but was indeed present.
Amanda, as pessimistic and stubborn as she was, learned that Ruth and G.H. were the only other allies that they had. If she would have any chance of making it out of the tragic events that were occuring - they would have to stick together.
Amanda's pessimistic attitude was forced to change throughout the novel simply due to the fact that she had to learn to trust her only other allies.

WHY 4.5? 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨️
Ok so this was absolutely incredible! 😲 😮 😯 🫢 For the most part, I lovedddd how this was written. That ending??? OMG it was so twisted yet relevant yet disturbing all at once. I was shocked to my cote for sure. Still, some parts of the novel were a bit too wordy for me and felt a bit dry or unnecessary.

This was a great book club pick. The discussion will be one to remember, and I definitely recommend this one!
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