Leave the World Behind

by Rumaan Alam
Leave the World Behind cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Thriller/Suspense
Technical:
  • ID: 1156
  • Added: 2025-09-27
  • Updated: 2025-09-27
  • ISBN: 9781526633095
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 2020-01-01
  • Formats: 17
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

Amanda and Clay, along with their teenage children, seek a peaceful getaway in a luxurious rental home on Long Island. Their holiday is abruptly disrupted when an older couple, Ruth and G. H., arrive claiming ownership and seeking refuge from a city-wide blackout. As communication channels fail and the outside world becomes increasingly inaccessible, tensions rise between the two families. The novel explores themes of isolation, race, and class, creating a gripping and unsettling narrative that blurs the lines between safety and danger./n/nCritically acclaimed and a finalist for the National Book Award, 'Leave the World Behind' is a literary page-turner that delves into the complexities of human behavior under stress. The novel's hallucinatory quality and incisive social commentary have made it a standout, with comparisons to the works of Shirley Jackson and Stephen King.

Reviews
Bookish Brews · 2021-08-04
creepy 4.00

The book is simple, creepy, and incredibly well-written, making it a perfect binge read. It's a quick and engaging story that hits the spot.

This reviewer found the book to be a quick and engaging read, perfect for a binge session. They appreciate the simplicity and creepiness of the story, which keeps readers hooked from start to finish. The reviewer also highlights the excellent writing, which enhances the overall reading experience. They enjoyed the book's ability to maintain a sense of suspense and intrigue, making it a standout in their reading list.

Quick quotes

    This book hit the spot. It's simple, creepy, and incredibly written.

    The best part is that it's a quick read, so it's the perfect binge read.

    It's a suspenseful and provocative novel that keeps you engaged throughout.

Madeleine Reads · 2021-02-04
pramatic 4.20

The novel takes the dystopian genre to a new, pragmatic level, exploring what we would do in a crisis. It's a potently written story that delves into complex themes.

This reviewer appreciates the novel's pragmatic approach to the dystopian genre, exploring what people would actually do in a crisis. They find the writing to be potent and thought-provoking, delving into complex themes that resonate with readers. The reviewer also notes the book's ability to keep readers engaged with its intense and engaging narrative. They believe the novel offers a unique perspective on the dystopian genre, making it a standout read.

Quick quotes

    A potently written novel that takes the dystopian genre to a new, pragmatic level.

    It answers the question of what we really would do when faced with a crisis.

    The novel is intense and engaging, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

The Guardian · 2020-11-09
prescient 4.50

The novel captures the panic of 2020 with echoes of Jordan Peele's Get Out and Cormac McCarthy's The Road. It's a superb end-of-the-world narrative that resonates deeply with current anxieties.

This reviewer found the novel to be a gripping and timely exploration of societal fears, drawing compelling parallels with other works like Get Out and The Road. They highlight the book's ability to tap into the collective panic of 2020, making it a standout in the dystopian genre. The reviewer appreciates how the story unfolds, keeping readers on the edge of their seats while delving into themes of panic and uncertainty. They also note the book's relevance to contemporary issues, making it a thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    With echoes of Jordan Peele's Get Out and Cormac McCarthy's The Road, this superb end-of-the-world novel captures the generalised panic of 2020.

    It's a breathtaking and prescient novel that resonates deeply with the current times.

    The novel explores the agonies of indecision and stasis in the face of unfolding catastrophe.

Appears in Lists