All they wanted was a quiet week away: away from the noise and bustle of New York, away from the sticky summer heat locked amongst its buildings, away from the endless work emails. But they got far more than they bargained for when the owners of their rental home return because of a blackout in the city, or was it?
Amanda, Clay, and their two kids have settled into their retreat in a remote section of Long Island and are ready to relax and rejuvenate. A late-night knock at the door and the appearance of a couple claiming to be the owners quickly sends their week of vacation into chaos. As a reported blackout has cut communication, the two families are forced to co-exist and cope with the confusion and uncertainty transpiring outside their retreat.
I saw Leave the World Behind pop up on several Goodreads reviews and bookstagram accounts and, as always, was hesitant to jump on the bandwagon. While it wasn’t my favorite book of the year, I loved the way Rumaan Alam describes sensations, feelings, and unconscious observations. The book was beautifully written and I would re-read it for that aspect alone. I also appreciated the subtle commentary on class, race, family dynamic and the assumptions that are woven within them, all the while depicting an apocalyptic-type scenario.
I was thoroughly engrossed for the entirety of the novel and desperately want to discuss the ending, but as that would be a massive spoiler and I’m ardently opposed to those, I’ll leave this as an invitation for a future conversation if you decide to read it.
Personal rating: 7/10
Recommend? Yes
Re-read? Maybe at some point
Time: 1:40