72 pages • 2 hours read
The Leavers
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Book Brief
368
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 2000s
2017
Adult
18+ years
870L
Super Short Summary
The Leavers by Lisa Ko explores Deming Guo's, later Daniel Wilkinson’s, journey to reconcile with his birth mother, Polly Guo, after she vanishes. Adopted by a white couple, Daniel struggles with his identity and displacement, ultimately uncovering Polly’s challenges as an undocumented immigrant. The novel delves into themes of social injustice, immigration, and their impacts on individual lives. The story contains situations involving immigration detention, deportation, and family separation.
Emotional
Challenging
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
56,557 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Lisa Ko's The Leavers is lauded for its poignant storytelling and multifaceted characters, vividly portraying the immigrant experience and identity struggles. Critics commend Ko's insightful narrative and emotional depth. However, some note a sluggish pace and underdeveloped secondary plotlines. Overall, it’s celebrated for its thought-provoking themes and compelling prose.
Who Should Read The Leavers?
Readers who appreciate The Leavers by Lisa Ko are often drawn to complex, character-driven narratives exploring cultural identity, family dynamics, and immigrant experiences, similar to The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri.
56,557 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
368
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 2000s
2017
Adult
18+ years
870L
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