Leve The World Behind

Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

Date Published 2020

Book Length 232

Format Kindle I purchased myself

Star Rating ***** 2**       It’s not really for me

About Book

Amanda and Clay head to a remote corner of Long Island expecting a holiday: a quiet reprieve from life in New York City, quality time with their teenage son and daughter and a taste of the good life in the luxurious home they've rented for the week. But with a late-night knock on the door, the spell is broken. Ruth and G. H., an older couple who claim to own the home, have arrived there in a panic. These strangers say that a sudden power outage has swept the city, and - with nowhere else to turn - they have come to the country in search of shelter.But with the TV and internet down, and no phone service, the facts are unknowable. Should Amanda and Clay trust this couple - and vice versa? What has happened back in New York? Is the holiday home, isolated from civilisation, a truly safe place for their families? And are they safe from one another?

My Thoughts

Leave the World Behind" by Rumaan Alam left me with mixed feelings and ultimately fell short of my expectations. I would rate it at two stars for a few reasons that made the reading experience less enjoyable for me. Firstly, the book's pacing felt sluggish, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. While I appreciate a slow build in novels, in this case, it bordered on tedious. The plot moved at a snail's pace, and I found myself waiting for something substantial to happen, which took away from my enjoyment of the narrative. Secondly, the characters, while well-developed in some aspects, failed to elicit any strong emotional connection. Their actions and motivations often left me perplexed, and I struggled to empathize with their choices. I found it challenging to invest in their fates, which hindered my ability to become fully immersed in the story. Additionally, the book's blurb and marketing led me to expect a more intense and thought-provoking exploration of the premise. However, the story veered into unexpected and somewhat unsatisfying directions, leaving me with unresolved questions and a feeling of ambiguity that left me dissatisfied. In summary, "Leave the World Behind" had the potential to be a thought-provoking and gripping read, but it fell short of my expectations due to its slow pacing, unrelatable characters, and an ending that left me wanting more clarity. While it may resonate with some readers, it unfortunately didn't resonate with me, warranting a two-star rating on my book blog.