BOOK BRIEF

What She Left Behind

Ellen Marie Wiseman
Guide cover placeholder

What She Left Behind

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013

Book Brief

Sparkles iconBeta
Ellen Marie Wiseman

What She Left Behind

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013
Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Historical Fiction

Mystery & Crime Fiction

Modern Classic Fiction
Setting

New York • 1920s

Topic
Mental Illness

World History
Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman intertwines the stories of two individuals: Izzy, a teenager in foster care in the present day, and Clara, a woman institutionalized in the 1920s. As Izzy uncovers Clara's past through her belongings, their stories of confinement, resilience, and discovery unfold across generations.

Mysterious

Emotional

Dark

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.1

80,456 ratings

76%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman offers a gripping dual narrative with historical depth. Readers praise its emotional storytelling and well-drawn characters but note that its heavy themes may be intense for some. The intertwining timelines are engaging, though some find transitions between them abrupt. Overall, it captivates with its poignant exploration of mental health and family secrets.

Who should read this

Who Should Read What She Left Behind?

Fans of psychological thrillers and historical fiction, particularly those who appreciated titles like The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah or The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman, will be captivated by What She Left Behind for its dual timelines and exploration of mental health and family secrets.

4.1

80,456 ratings

76%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Historical Fiction

Mystery & Crime Fiction

Modern Classic Fiction
Setting

New York • 1920s

Topic
Mental Illness

World History
Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!