Book Review: Leave the World Behind

Leave the World Behind, by Rumaan Alam

• Eerie

• Human nature at its best, and worst

• Doomsday suspense

• 4 Stars

I haven’t had a book give my nightmares quite like this book. If the movies The Happening or Bird Box made you scared or uneasy, then you may want to think about skipping or delaying this one.

Amanda and Clay are the average American family, living the modern day ‘white picket fence’ type of life. They take a vacation to their usual spot in the country of Long Island NY where there is limited cell service and lots of fresh air.

For some, this book isn’t scary so much as it feels slow, almost boring. The everyday things or kids at the water, grocery lists, a long standing marriage - nothing that screams a book of horror.

However, if you’re like me and are affected by anything “end of days related” all the undertones and slight mentions of the first half of the book have you filled with angst. I was both frightened and impressed by the author’s ability to convey such eeriness in such simple ways.

There is a scene where the daughter, Rose, is outside and witnesses a deer migration. Not a herd, but a substantial population, moving through the area. This scene had my eyes darting around during my run the next day. Going through the park I was panicking about possibly seeing a huge herd of deer. Not because anything crazy, action packed, or gory happened in the scene - just the unsettling nature of the world it conveyed made me stiffen.

While I give this book 4 stars and am a huge fan of the amazing writing - I can’t say it’s a great book to unwind with. If you are in the mood for a thriller or something unsettling then maybe reach for it.

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