A review by corirarrick2
Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

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

1.0

The son becomes very ill and vomits bright pink (never explains why), he loses several teeth and he’s taken to the hospital. No explanation is offered, was anything happening at all or just a sick kid. I will give credit where it’s due, the mother’s frantic behavior and fear of her child being sick was spot on. There’s an omniscient narrator, it states that other people killed themselves, fallen ill, but not an explanation for the apocalypse that is taking place or is anything happening at all? I have so many questions. What was the loud sound? Why caused the dad to become disoriented while driving to town? What knocked out the cell service, will it ever be restored? The couple that owns a house and mentions no other people live nearby, but the kids found another nearby property and turn back before exploring it. Did the couple lie? Who lives there? Why did the children turn back?

Underwhelming and overwritten, this novel is all loose ends and feels incomplete, but not in the way that would lead to a sequel. The big mystery is not resolved, and it’s confusing and frustrating to endure. I would not recommend this to someone I actually like. 
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