A review by williamc
Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

dark emotional mysterious tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 What author Alam does so cleverly with this novel is use precise and unvarnished language to instill in its first half a sense of normalcy and predictability to the family's Long Island getaway. It then uses that same tone to introduce elements of dread and quick injections of insight into the larger world surrounding their vacation. Everything else about this book should be experienced first hand, but the tale told here is unexpected and deeply unnerving.  Leave the World Behind is excellent Summer reading if your Summer is approaching early Fall: the shadows are already there, but they're growing longer by the minute.