A review by valpacheco
Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones

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.