logo

45 pages 1 hour read

Rumaan Alam

Leave the World Behind

Rumaan AlamFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Rumaan Alam

Leave the World Behind

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020
Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Long Island • Contemporary

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam follows Clay, Amanda, and their teenage children, who rent a Long Island house for a vacation. Their stay is interrupted by the arrival of G. H. and Ruth, the house's owners, reporting a city-wide blackout. As news alerts and a mysterious noise heighten tension, the two families struggle with distrust and uncertainty, seeking to comprehend an escalating disaster.

Mysterious

Unnerving

Suspenseful

Dark

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

3.4

176,164 ratings

41%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

26%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam skillfully portrays a gripping apocalyptic scenario, enriched by sharp social commentary and a tense atmosphere. Critics praise its timely themes and Alam's evocative prose. However, some found the plot's ambiguity and pacing less compelling. Overall, it's a thought-provoking narrative that captures contemporary anxieties.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Leave the World Behind?

Fans of intense psychological thrillers like The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel will relish Leave the World Behind. Ideal for readers who appreciate suspenseful, thought-provoking narratives that delve into human dynamics amidst unforeseen crises.

3.4

176,164 ratings

41%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

26%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Long Island • Contemporary

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.