Fiction
2020 HarperAudio
Narrated by Marin Ireland
Narrated by Marin Ireland
Finished on 2/10/22
Rating: 3/5 (Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
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.
Should Amanda and Clay trust this couple—and vice versa? What happened back in New York? Is the vacation home, isolated from civilization, a truly safe place for their families? And are they safe from one another?
Suspenseful and provocative, Rumaan Alam’s third novel is keenly attuned to the complexities of parenthood, race, and class. Leave the World Behind explores how our closest bonds are reshaped—and unexpected new ones are forged—in moments of crisis.
I listened to the audiobook of Leave the World Behind, which was probably the best way to go with this dystopic thriller. Marin Ireland's narration is excellent, bringing each characters' anxiety about the blackout and the unknown global situation to life. The reader is given clues about what is taking place, but the characters are left in the dark (literally and figuratively), even up to the very last page. I have a feeling that had I instead read the print edition, I would have grown bored and given up, but Ireland's performance maintained just enough tension to keep me listening. Even listening to the countless lists (what Amanda bought at the grocery store, what they packed to take to the beach, what they ate for dinner) was entertaining, the cadence of each almost melodic to the ear, but eventually grew tiresome. In spite of the narration and apocalyptic nature of the novel (which I usually enjoy), I was underwhelmed. I would have liked a less ambiguous ending. Netflix plans to produce an adaptation of the book starring Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha'la Herrold and Julia Roberts. This may be the rare case in which the movie is better than the book.
I received a complimentary copy from Libro.fm. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Interesting review. I remember borrowing this book from the library and abandoning it very early on. Might have finished if I'd been listening to Marin Ireland, but doubt I'll try again.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, I enjoy Marin Ireland, which made it easier to continue listening, but if I'd been reading the print edition, I may have also kept going just to find out how it ended. Unfortunately, it wasn't really worth the effort.
DeleteI've been thinking about the book since a few people I know read it, but now I think I'll just pass on it and watch the movie.
ReplyDeleteVicki, it had promise, but all the tension and build-up for a lackluster finale was disappointing.
DeleteI didn't love this one either but, I was still glad I tried it. I think I need to start abandoning so so books earlier on. Just too many books to choose from these days.
ReplyDeleteDiane, I'm not sorry I listened to the book. It kept me entertained pretty much until the finale. Oh, well.
DeleteI liked this one and I enjoyed Ireland's narration. There was an eeriness too that made it enough for me. I could feel that it could happen to us someday ... some terrible world devastation nuclear strike, yikes! Awful. I want to see what my husband thinks of the book ... but the audio might be better ...
ReplyDeleteSusan, isn't Marin Ireland a great audio reader? Gosh, I hope something like this doesn't happen to us someday. Pretty terrifying!
DeleteI do enjoy Marin Ireland's narration. Too bad the book is lackluster.
ReplyDeleteI've heard some authors say that they read their books out loud to themselves at some point to see what works and what doesn't. I wish more would do that. Things like grocery lists do get boring to listen to. I listened to a YA book where one of the main characters had a tic of repeating pi endlessly to himself when he got anxious. I was losing my mind by the end of the book. There's only so long that you can listen to a list of numbers! Easy to skip in print but you're trapped in audio, no matter how excellent the narrator is.
Jen, how interesting to learn that some authors read their books aloud to see what works (or doesn't work). Makes sense! I can't imagine listening to that YA book and hearing that list of numbers! Ugh. I guess that's when a read/listen combo is a good idea.
DeleteAn apocalyptic thriller sounds like it might be a bit much for me given the last couple of years.
ReplyDeleteHelen, I agree! This isn't exactly the best time to be reading books about the end of the world.
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