Review: Leave the World Behind

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Leave the World Behind popped into my TBR list unexpectedly. Around New Year's, one of my bookish friends proposed we attempt the 2021 Popsugar Reading Challenge which seemed like a terrific opportunity to actually commit to reading a higher proportion of my Book of the Month Club stash. During a virtual book happy hour, one of my favorite booksellers mentioned this novel and described it as a creepy story that would make us think twice about staying at an AirBnB.

I originally thought that this was set in an exotic location, but it's actually set in the Hamptons. A family of city dwellers rent a house there that is just secluded enough to have unreliable cell service and enough fields that look alike to make it easy to get lost without a regular map. The listing on the site, after all was titled Leave the World Behind.

The family makes preparations for a weekend away by stocking up on food to allow for everyone's preferences and to stay in during an anticipated rainstorm. Unfortunately for this family, several unexpected issues arise beginning with the arrival of the Washingtons: Ruth and GH who own the house.

Ruth and GH ask to stay over due to a blackout in New York City. The family, especially Amanda, the wife, regard this couple's intrusion with suspicion, but her husband, Clay persuades her to allow them to stay.

The cable goes out as does the WiFi leaving two families that don't trust each other trying to decide whether to shelter in place together or venture out to get more information.

Everything about the book is ominous and unsettling, especially during a disaster like a pandemic. Crack this one open if you dare.

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