REVIEW: LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND

"Leave the World Behind" attempts to capture the tension of an undefined apocalypse and the clash of two families navigating the unknown. However, the execution is marred by pretentiousness and pomposity, rendering the novel a boring and tedious read. The author seems more preoccupied with showcasing an extensive vocabulary than weaving a compelling narrative. The constant insertion of fancy words feels forced. "Oh, look at me, I'm so literary!"

The book also indulges in unnecessary details, exemplified by the excruciatingly long descriptions of mundane activities such as grocery shopping. Almost two full pages are dedicated to detailing the contents of a character's shopping cart, a tiresome exercise that adds little to the plot and comes off as self-indulgent. The narrative's attempt at cuteness falls flat, leaving readers grappling with boredom rather than the intended intrigue.

Ironically, the Netflix movie adaptation boasting an impressive cast (Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Kevin Bacon) may end up being more compelling than its literary counterpart. With the potential for visual storytelling to alleviate the burden of excessive prose, the film might overcome some of the book’s shortcomings. But I think I’m going to skip this one nonetheless.

Idea: 3 stars
Execution: 1 star

Overall: 2 stars