The Leavers, Lisa Ko, Algonquin Books, 2017, 300 pp
This excellent novel was the February selection of my One Book At A Time reading group. It was a hit, giving us plenty to discuss.
In yet another modern day immigrant story, Polly Guo, undocumented Chinese woman struggling with poverty and young motherhood in New York City, goes missing. Her 11 year old son, Deming, lands in social services and eventually is adopted by an academic white couple from a small town outside the city.
It is a sad story with a satisfying ending as Deming struggles with his identity and his loss. It weaves along and around. We learn Polly's back story and watch Deming grow up, always wondering why his mother deserted him and finally beginning to search for her.
Not until almost the end do we learn the shocking truth about Polly's disappearance. I especially liked the way the author dealt with all the emotions of the many characters and the resolution she created for Deming in the end.
When you say "it weaves along and around", do you mean it meanders? This one divided readers when it came out, if I remember well. Glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteActually I meant exactly what I said. It is a complex tale and I think she told it in the best possible way. That is why I said it was an excellent novel.
DeleteI have this novel on my reading wishlist... So many books in my possession currently, that it may be some time before I get around to reading this novel.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed reading The Leavers.
Happy Reading Lisa. It is all good!
DeleteThis story sounds awfully familiar - now I need to check if I've read it or just several reviews LOL
ReplyDeleteHa Ha, that is funny. Happens to me sometimes and there have been gobs of reviews.
DeleteWell, you've certainly aroused my curiosity about this one. I don't actually remember hearing about it when it came out, even though it was a National Book Award finalist. My attention must have been elsewhere at the time.
ReplyDeleteI think this one could be a book you would love, Dorothy.
DeleteThis sounds good. I have not read many modern books of this sort but I am thinking that mystery/revelations are not so common in this kind of narrative. Therefore the disappearance of the main character’s mother sounds very original.
ReplyDeleteA very good point, Brian.
DeleteYes I've wanted to read this novel for a long while since it came out. It sounds a bit like a Thrity Umrigar sort of story ... I often read these immigrants kinds of tales (from various authors lately) and I'm not exactly sure why .... the compelling issues?
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I read this one. I like to read immigrant tales because my people were immigrants once and we live in these times when people are moving around more than ever.
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