Leave Me; Gayle Forman
Algonquin - 2016
Maribeth Klein is a 40-something wife, mother to 4 year-old twins and career woman who tries to be all to all people. Her health suffers until one day she realizes she's had a heart attack and requires surgery.
When she finds recovering from surgery and taking care of her own needs extremely difficult with her family still depending on her, she decides to flee. Without any prior discussions she leaves her husband and kids to fend for themselves. She leaves NYC for Pittsburg while she heals and tries to find out about herself and her earliest roots -- she was adopted. WHAT?
This novel was a very quick read with nice short chapters and, while I think many overextended moms dream about escaping, few actually do so without some discussion at least. I just couldn't understand Maribeth, instead of feeling grateful for making it though surgery she becomes resentful and bitchy. She never talks about her feelings and needs with her mother or spouse and just takes off. I guess somewhat in MB's defense, her husband Jason, seemed a bit aloof and neither made any effort to communicate and understand the others needs. I think the author missed the mark by never developing her characters in a way that would make them more real and sympathetic. In addition, the ending resolved itself way too easily to me.
3/5 stars
(eGalley)
I loved Gayle Forman's earlier books so it's a shame this one is disappointing.
ReplyDeleteI read a couple of her YA books as well.
DeleteI listened to this one and enjoyed it more than you did.
ReplyDeleteGlad u liked it Kathy.
DeleteHmmm - taking off with no discussion seems like something I'd have a difficult time relating to. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteYes, I just couldn't believe with 4-year old twins she'd just leave!
DeleteI've heard other people say this one was disappointing too for the same reason. I wonder if it might make, because of that, a good book club choice?
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a good book club choice Lisa.
DeleteThanks for your honest review! Enjoy your weekend, Diane.
ReplyDeleteHope your weekend was good as well.
DeleteAll right then. I am skipping this one.
ReplyDeleteI've been interested in this title since its release, but have heard quite a few mixed reviews which puts me off of it a little. The lack of character development, which you mention, is a bit worrisome as in this kind of book that's kind of essential to connect.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts!
I wish she would have delved deeper into what was going on in the minds of maribeth and her husband.
DeleteWish this one had gotten a better review but they can't all be winners right? I might check this out.
ReplyDeleteSo true.
DeleteThanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteIt was a quick read, I just didn't like Maribeth.
ReplyDeleteI think you liked it a tad more than I did. I am not a big ratings giver but I think I gave it a two. Maybe even a one. I really did not like it. I felt like it was an in-between book. One written to hold us over while she writes a really good one.
ReplyDeleteIt was a quick read but, I just couldn't understand how she went about doing what she did.
DeleteYeah, it seems like far too complex an issue (trapped looking after people instead of yourself) to be treated patly. I would have a hard time sympathizing with Maribeth myself.
ReplyDeleteIt was a quick read but, just hard to feel for and support Maribeth.
DeleteWell, I had planned to read this, but maybe now I'll give it a pass. Or maybe I'll try the audio, since Kathy says she liked it a bit more than you.
ReplyDeleteTry it maybe you will like it more - quick read.
DeleteI think lots of mothers, at one time or another. dream of escaping. It would be hard to be a sympathetic character if you actually did it. Not impossible, but definitely a challenge.
ReplyDelete