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A review by kevinwal
Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
3.75
Wow… What a wild read from start to finish. I can confidently say I’ve never read a book like this one before.
I’ll start with the stuff I didn’t like. The writing, at times, can be over-written and a bit pretentious. A large use of confusing metaphors and references i didn’t know, led otherwise very clear sentences to become annoying and confusing to decipher the meaning of.
The use of an omniscient narrator, while at times can help, often I found reduced the tension of otherwise tense scenes, but this is a minor criticism.
I don’t think the author used their space particularly well at times either, I feel like the book could be reduced by multiple pages and lose nothing, possibly making it even more readable, but I digress.
One final thing is that the author was very, very brash out of nowhere, and that will definitely put some people off. It definitely took me out of the read at first, but by the end of just accepted it as part of the style.
Now onto the good! The story itself is wonderfully told. A story that is so so so unique! It’s hard for me to even explain my feelings on it even just having finished it!
I found most of the characters dislikable at first glance, but in how deep we peer into their thoughts, it becomes almost impossible to truly dislike them. It would feel almost wrong with just how quintessentially human they were. There thoughts are often fleeting and contrary to their actions. Often, we don’t, or can’t know ourselves truly until the time comes to act.
I had to put the book down sometimes with just how eerie it made me feel. The way the author is able to really make us feel the conflict the characters have.I felt almost the same as the characters. The juxtaposition between fearing the outside world and the desire of knowledge and familiarity.
The story itself, I cannot stress enough, is extremely unique. I honestly thinks it’s worth a read just on that alone.
While I did criticize the somewhat overdrawn pages earlier, one thing it lends itself well to is just how believable the relationship between the Washington’s and Amanda’s family forms. From complete distrust at the start, to immense empathy by the end, I never once doubted the sincerity or possibility of how they felt.
The ending was amazing! Ok, I can see why the lack of any clear resolution might annoy some people. But I thought it was perfect for the story. We are only given a glimpse into these people’s lives and their futures remain uncertain. Most will die, that much is pretty much spelled out for Archie (I’m still shivering from his teeth falling out…), but it is not an ending of pessimism as much of the book might trick you into believing. Rose is shown to be a survivor, a hope for a future where humanity may yet live on.
I’m probably forgetting a bunch of stuff, but I’m still reeling from that ending in all honesty, so this is it for now lol. I might add to it if I think of anything else.
I’ll start with the stuff I didn’t like. The writing, at times, can be over-written and a bit pretentious. A large use of confusing metaphors and references i didn’t know, led otherwise very clear sentences to become annoying and confusing to decipher the meaning of.
The use of an omniscient narrator, while at times can help, often I found reduced the tension of otherwise tense scenes, but this is a minor criticism.
I don’t think the author used their space particularly well at times either, I feel like the book could be reduced by multiple pages and lose nothing, possibly making it even more readable, but I digress.
One final thing is that the author was very, very brash out of nowhere, and that will definitely put some people off. It definitely took me out of the read at first, but by the end of just accepted it as part of the style.
Now onto the good! The story itself is wonderfully told. A story that is so so so unique! It’s hard for me to even explain my feelings on it even just having finished it!
I found most of the characters dislikable at first glance, but in how deep we peer into their thoughts, it becomes almost impossible to truly dislike them. It would feel almost wrong with just how quintessentially human they were. There thoughts are often fleeting and contrary to their actions. Often, we don’t, or can’t know ourselves truly until the time comes to act.
I had to put the book down sometimes with just how eerie it made me feel. The way the author is able to really make us feel the conflict the characters have.
The story itself, I cannot stress enough, is extremely unique. I honestly thinks it’s worth a read just on that alone.
I’m probably forgetting a bunch of stuff, but I’m still reeling from that ending in all honesty, so this is it for now lol. I might add to it if I think of anything else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Sexual content