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jaclyncrupi's review against another edition
4.0
This was the perfect amount of unsettling. Think Get Out meets The Need influenced by Shirley Jackson. Clever, gripping, disturbing. Just when I think I’m done with apocalyptic fiction this comes along. I found the writing much stronger than Alam’s last book Rich and Pretty.
caitlinlee213's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
ilman002's review against another edition
2.0
This book was... fine... I guess... It was a required reading for a book club and it definitely took me out of my comfort zone.
Leave the World Behind is Rumaan Alam's third book. A family of 4 is sheltering in a New York beach house when a massive blackout occurs. Another couple intrudes and they claim to own the house. It is an interesting premise but unfortunately Alam doesn't do much with it. The story just kind of unfolds and it has no memorable moments. The chapters are deliberately short, so at least the novel was not a slog to read. There is not much to say about the story without getting into spoilers. All I'll say is that the novel ends abruptly and leaves you wanting more.
So, who should read this book? If you're a fan of psychological suspense, you might like Leave the World Behind. Having said that, there are definitely better books out there that deal with similar themes. Even The Birthday Party by Laurent Mauvignier, which I've read earlier this month is a better pick. It deals with a similar theme of home invasion in a better way. Also, if you're planning to watch the Netflix film, which was based on this book, you might want to read the book first. Overall, this novel left me feeling indifferent about the plot and its characters. 2 stars but I might check out the movie.
Leave the World Behind is Rumaan Alam's third book. A family of 4 is sheltering in a New York beach house when a massive blackout occurs. Another couple intrudes and they claim to own the house. It is an interesting premise but unfortunately Alam doesn't do much with it. The story just kind of unfolds and it has no memorable moments. The chapters are deliberately short, so at least the novel was not a slog to read. There is not much to say about the story without getting into spoilers. All I'll say is that the novel ends abruptly and leaves you wanting more.
So, who should read this book? If you're a fan of psychological suspense, you might like Leave the World Behind. Having said that, there are definitely better books out there that deal with similar themes. Even The Birthday Party by Laurent Mauvignier, which I've read earlier this month is a better pick. It deals with a similar theme of home invasion in a better way. Also, if you're planning to watch the Netflix film, which was based on this book, you might want to read the book first. Overall, this novel left me feeling indifferent about the plot and its characters. 2 stars but I might check out the movie.
winecellarlibrary's review against another edition
2.0
This book felt like an unfinished manuscript. Just when I thought the story was finally taking off, the book ended abruptly.
The atmosphere of the book is its only redeeming quality. It is eerie, and the characters have an overwhelming sense of the unknown. For this reason, it makes sense that the book is being adapted into a film. I believe this aspect will translate really well into visual media.
However, the excessively long explanations (what is with that shopping list?) and the lack of explanation or resolution just left me hanging. I found myself feeling very frustrated when I reached the book's "conclusion."
I'm thankful that instead of purchasing this book from Book of the Month that I listened to a free version of the audiobook on Libby.
The atmosphere of the book is its only redeeming quality. It is eerie, and the characters have an overwhelming sense of the unknown. For this reason, it makes sense that the book is being adapted into a film. I believe this aspect will translate really well into visual media.
However, the excessively long explanations (what is with that shopping list?) and the lack of explanation or resolution just left me hanging. I found myself feeling very frustrated when I reached the book's "conclusion."
I'm thankful that instead of purchasing this book from Book of the Month that I listened to a free version of the audiobook on Libby.
emmabeckman's review against another edition
3.0
This book was eerie but I didn’t love the writing. If you want to feel uncomfy and creeped out and a little panicky, this is a good one. But there was too much talk about food, too many (pop) culture references, and the word “tumescent” was used wayyy too many times.
devan's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
bethmara's review against another edition
2.0
DNF 60% done
Whyyyyyy are Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts are making a Netflix movie out of this one? I literally can't even envision it given only a dozen or so pages of dialogue (or even inferred dialogue) exist. I imagine a good 10 minutes of screen time will have to be devoted to making chocolate and cheese sandwiches and discussing one of the characters shopping lists. (Yes I said chocolate and cheese and yes I also think it sounds disgusting.)
When this book is slow, which it often is, it crawls. And when it's fast, it's relies on the reader to insert ill intent and their own level of paranoia. Many readers have pointed out that the author loves to toss in obscure literary and cultural references that often seem like a sly wink to those who read the culture section of the New York Times and the stiff arm to the rest of the readers who do not. To be honest, these things didn't bother me while I was reading it but I certainly validate their experience in retrospect.
I stopped at about the 60% mark when it became clear the author was writing a manipulative horror story, not a cultural allegory. There wasn't a single character that I liked or related to.
Whyyyyyy are Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts are making a Netflix movie out of this one? I literally can't even envision it given only a dozen or so pages of dialogue (or even inferred dialogue) exist. I imagine a good 10 minutes of screen time will have to be devoted to making chocolate and cheese sandwiches and discussing one of the characters shopping lists. (Yes I said chocolate and cheese and yes I also think it sounds disgusting.)
When this book is slow, which it often is, it crawls. And when it's fast, it's relies on the reader to insert ill intent and their own level of paranoia. Many readers have pointed out that the author loves to toss in obscure literary and cultural references that often seem like a sly wink to those who read the culture section of the New York Times and the stiff arm to the rest of the readers who do not. To be honest, these things didn't bother me while I was reading it but I certainly validate their experience in retrospect.
I stopped at about the 60% mark when it became clear the author was writing a manipulative horror story, not a cultural allegory. There wasn't a single character that I liked or related to.
brittneyrobyn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5