Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam (Book #25)

Title: Leave the World Behind

Author: Rumaan Alam

Dates Read: Mar 7

Format: Audiobook

Rating: ★★★★

Description: Amanda and Clay head out to a remote corner of Long Island expecting a vacation: 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 a late-night knock on the door breaks the spell. Ruth and G. H. are an older black couple—it’s their house, and they’ve arrived in a panic. They bring the news that a sudden blackout has swept the city. But in this rural area—with the TV and internet now down, and no cell phone service—it’s hard to know what to believe.

Review: Despite me giving this book four stars, I'm still not sure how I feel about it and I reserve the right to come back and change my rating. I've gone back and forth with some of my coworkers about this book and whether it was too subtle or whether it is profound in its subtly. There was a lot I liked about this book, particularly the author's use of foreshadowing and breaking the fourth wall to give the reader some insight into what is happening in the world outside our story. I also loved the scene with Clay driving and getting lost and the scenes with the deer and flamingos. They gave you this otherworldly feeling and made you wonder - did that really happen? But there was also a lot I didn't like and a lot that this book was lacking. It's definitely not for everyone, but as of now I still think I enjoyed it.