The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta
by Jenners • 09/01/2011 • 4.5 Stars, Contemporary, Fiction, L Titles, P Authors • 68 Comments
The Leftovers by Tom PerrottaPublisher: St. Martin’s Press, September 2011
Pages: 368
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
Where I Got It: ARC courtesy of the publisher
My Rating: 4.5 stars
One of my favorite authors, Tom Perrotta, is back with a new novel. Once again, he offers spot-on observations of life in suburbia. What differs this time around is that the suburbanites in this book are the “leftovers”—those left behind by a Rapture-like event called the Sudden Departure.
The Sudden Departure—which disappeared millions around the world—leaves those left behind feeling bewildered, lost, angry, confused and searching for answers. The diverse responses of the “leftovers” are illustrated by the residents of the small town of Mapleton.
For Laurie Garvey, the confusion and emotions of the Sudden Departure prompt her to join the Guilty Remnant (G.R.)—a cult-like group whose members take vows of silence, live communally, smoke continuously and stalk members of the local community.
Laurie’s decision to leave home and join the G.R. leaves her husband Kevin and her teenage daughter Jill at loose ends. Kevin—who feels that the only sane reaction to the Sudden Departure is to continue living as normally as possible—finds meaning and solace in his role as Mapleton’s mayor. Jill—cast adrift in the confusing world of high school and young womanhood without the guiding hand of her mother—seeks answers by running with the fast crowd.
Although he’d already left for college before the Sudden Departure, Tom Garvey finds himself drifting and searching for answers until he falls in with a charismatic preacher named Holy Wayne. However, recent scandals swirling around Wayne are causing Tom to question his purpose and direction in life.
In addition to chronicling the lives of the Garvey family, we’re also introduced to Nora Durst—a Mapleton resident who lost her husband and children in the Sudden Departure and faces an odd sort of widowhood. Viewed as a tragic hero, Nora clings to the past while trying valiantly to figure out how to continue living a meaningful life.
As the events of the book unfold, Perrotta offers up a satisfying mix of humor, sadness and detail that makes his characters come alive. Although my initial thrill was in finding out how Perrotta would explore a Rapture-like event, I quickly got absorbed in the lives of the characters and their emotional journeys. Although the Sudden Departure is a great hook, The Leftovers is still grounded in the realities of suburban life that Perrotta explored so brilliantly in his books Little Children and The Abstinence Teacher.
I loved this book! Whenever I was reading, everything disappeared and I was completely inside the story. What I love most about Perrotta’s writing is that he fills his stories with little details that make everything feel so authentic and real. His characters feel like people who live in my little section of suburbia. In other words, his writing rings true. So despite a premise that seems fantastical and “out there,” The Leftovers ends up feeling grounded and relevant to our lives right now. I encourage you to check it out. It was one of the most interesting and involving books I’ve read this year.
FYI: I’m giving away a print version and an audiobook version. Enter here!
Terrific review, Jenners! I’m glad you enjoyed this book so much. I love a book that makes everything around me just melt awat until I’m in my own world with the book, like what happened for you. Isn’t that fantastic? I love Perrotta’s books and I was a little concerned about this one because it seemed a bit of a departure from his stories about real, dysfunctional people in suburban life, something I love. Leftovers sounded like it might have a little paranormal or fantasy as well as a focus on life in a cult. I planned to read it anyway because Perrotta is an author I trust. But your review and a few others I’ve read have put any concerns I had to bed and now I’m just looking forward to read a good book in the near future.
I totally know what you mean — the premise seemed like a major departure but he stays true to himself while having a little bit of fun (and social commentary) with the whole “Rapture” idea. The book isn’t paranormal at all … it is a very grounded “Perottaish” view of suburban life — just with a little twist!
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I was just reading an article on this book recently and knew I wanted to read it so badly!
I think it has one of those descriptions that just makes you want to read it.
I am so glad you enjoyed this book! I keep seeing it everywhere and was wondering if it would be any good or not….I did not want to read another “Left Behind” series that came out several years ago. Thanks for the great review and now I’m crossing my fingers for your contest!
I’m almost 100% sure this is NOTHING like the Left Behind series. Just a guess … even though I’ve not read those books. In fact, he mentions them in this book.
I just realized that you write book reports for fun. I wish I could have had you around in 6th grade to help me with mine! Plus, you just seem to make these books so interesting.
Alright, back to geriatric nursing…thanks for a brief moment of reading fun.
Gosh …. I never thought of it that way. I’m writing book reports … in my 40s!
When I heard a review for the book on NPR, I was interested, and became more so after reading your review. It seems to have enough quirks in it to keep my interest.
Will I be a “leftover” if I covet a copy of the book?
I’ve entered the giveaway, so I’m hopeful!
One of the things in the book was that many of the “leftovers” were upset that those taken weren’t necessarily “the right ones.” HAHA! I’d love to hear that NPR review. I’ll have to look for it.
I’ve seen this one around, glad to hear your enjoyed it. It does sound good.
I’ve seen a few review here and there. On Amazon, it seems that people are split. I’m predisposed to like Perrotta’s stuff though so maybe I’m not to be trusted!
I find the premise of this book fascinating and I can’t wait to read it. Your review has made me move it to the top of the review pile!
It was such a good read … and the premise was so interesting to me. You don’t often see secular authors take on this type of topic so I was just soooo curious how he would tackle it.
I’ve never read any of Perrotta’s books, but they sound like something I should get acquainted with. I’ve entered the draw… BTW, should you read The Sudden Departure first before this one?
The Sudden Departure isn’t a different book … it is what they call the “Rapture-like” event in this book. They call it that because the people left behind (particularly the Christians) can’t stand thinking that it was the Rapture since they weren’t taken!
If he takes on suburbia I need to read him. I like the premise of this one so I’ll make a note of it. (meaning that I’ll keep an eye out on my semi-daily trips to Border’s)
I wonder if Borders is even getting new books now that they are going out of business?
And I think Perrotta is a must for anyone who lives in modern suburbia. It is like he is living in my town and writing about it. He gets all the little details just right.
They aren’t getting anything new, but I did pick up Little Children on one of my trips
slick new layout, missy! looks nice around here–you’re inspiring me to do a spring cleaning at my place. i really want to redo my header but it’s just…just…so much work. lol.
as for tom p.–i listened to the abstinence teacher last year and enjoyed it. happy to see he has something new out there for me! i’m off to enter your snazzy contest.
The whole blog redesign started when I realized I wasn’t keeping up with my links in my books and titles pages and I decided to make them categories instead and then somehow that led to organizing everything — including the look. We’ll see how long this lasts!!
And if you liked The Abstinence Teacher, I’d bet you’d love this one too.
Thanks so much for the giveaway; I’m so happy you thought this was a good one. It sounds like one I would enjoy also.
It was a good one…especially if you are Perrotta fan in the first place.
As you might recall, I found it a tad slow but once I was passed page 212 (I wrote it down), I was pretty into the story.
I remember. I was so worried when I was reading your review that you weren’t going to like it. I hope you got converted to Perrottaism as a result. I should have linked to your review! I never remember to do that kind of stuff. I’m lucky just to get my reviews written.
Perrotta is an author that I need to check out. Sounds like interesting concept and characters. Jenners you know how to keep me reading!!
I think you would really really like this particular author. He “gets” life in the suburbs. If this sounds too outre for you, try Little Children or The Abstinence Teacher.
I’ve got this one of my shelf and I can’t wait to read it.
I’m so excited to see what you think! I hope you like it as much as I did!
These are magic words: “Whenever I was reading, everything disappeared and I was completely inside the story.”
It is what I hope for with every book I read … but so rarely get!
This sounds fantastic! I was wondering how he would manage a book about the rapture. I can’t wait to read this!
As soon as I heard the premise, I got insanely curious! He tackles it in a way that is so true to his writing. It was such an interesting read.
I enjoyed (?) Little Children. I think. Twisted but compelling I guess it was. I am going to get my hands on this audio I think, very soon.
It is definitely one of those “enjoying despite yourself” type of books. I love how he can make you laugh while you’re still feeling uncomfortable. I love the vibe he gives off.
I’m so jealous! I am happy to see you enjoyed this one. My name on the library reserves list for this one. (I think I’ve read most everything this author has written – well done Jenners.
I will be having a publisher-sponsored giveaway of this one soon so be sure to enter. And can’t you pull some strings at the library to get it earlier? I thought you had connections!
I like the sound of this one.
It has such a great hook. I think it is an interesting topic to explore — especially from a fictional viewpoint.
This sounds like a good read. I read the Abstinence Teacher and enjoyed it and would like to read another of his books. I’m adding it to the TBR pile!
If you liked The Abstinence Teacher, then you’ll probably like this one too. It is in that same vein.
This sounds really good to me. Hopefully I won’t be a “leftover” if that really happens!
The thing that was neat about the book and the “leftover” concept is that many people (particularly Christians) are peeved at being left behind and feel that they need to discredit those who were taken. In my mind, the way that the different character’s react seems realistic and like how it might happen. It does make you curious if you would be “taken” or “leftover” though.
I haven’t read any of his books yet. I’ve seen a few reviews of this book and I just haven’t made up my mind yet about whether or not to read it.
I can see this being a polarizing book because a lot of people might not care for the whole “Rapture-like” element. Plus I think many readers may not share Perrotta’s basic worldview and approach to writing. However, he and I are a good match.
Sounds like an awesome read. I like the book cover with the shoes smoking. Unique. It sounds like there was a perfect balance between providing just enough details and not too many. That’s one thing I usually don’t like, but this sound wonderfully written.
It is also a matter of the details being “just right.” He throws in these little asides that are things that I’ve thought or done or seen, and it makes me feel like he really knows what he is writing about. As they say, it is all in the details.
I am so glad that as a Perotta fan you liked this one – there is always the chance that a beloved author will disappoint. I really like his book and am looking forward to reading the latest. The concept of using the Rapture is an interesting one especially for him since his books are so rooted in the everyday life of suburbia.
I always worry too, especially since I wasn’t a huge fan of his book Election. But this was in the vein of Little Children and The Abstinence Teacher, both of which I loved.
I am hoping to get my hands on a copy of this. It sounds so good!
I’m going to be having a giveaway for it soon (like within a week) so stay tuned.
Sounds like a good read and I love the cover.
It is a good cover, isn’t it? It gets your attention. On the back cover, there is a pair of empty women’s shoes and a pair of kids shoes.
I love that he took a concept like the rapture and turned it on its head. I’ve yet to read him but am quite sure that I will enjoy his keen observations of suburban life and on your recommendation will add this one to my list.
As soon as I heard that he was tackling a “Rapture-like” event, I couldn’t wait to see what he would do with it … knowing what I do about his “worldview” and literary point of view.
I haven’t read Tom Perrotta yet! Ack!
I think you need to rectify that. I just adore him and I think you’d like him too.
I have a huge literary crush on Perotta, and so want to read this book! I have been drooling over it for the past few months, and now see that it’s available to me, so I am not going to waste any time grabbing it. Your review was glowing, and made me even more excited about trying this one! So glad you loved it!
I too have a literary crush on Perrotta. I’ve been working my way through all his works ever since I “discovered” him. If you can’t get a review or library copy, let me know and I’ll give you my ARC. I’m also going to be having a giveaway courtesy of the publisher.
This sounds quite interesting. Does it make any statements at all about religion? (perhaps an “anti-Left Behind”)
Also wondering why I had about 10 updates in my reader from you – older posts. Odd.
It does address religion. There are Christian factions that are upset that Jews and Muslims and others were “taken” while they were left behind. And there is a preacher who is so bitter at being left behind that he spends his time trying to discredit those that were taken to prove that it wasn’t the Rapture. And the whole G.R. element is a quasi-religious response. Yet it isn’t the primary focus of the book.
And I just noticed about all those old updates too! I’m not sure what it happening. I hope it is Feedburner’s fault and not something I did on my end.
This is currently in transit to me from my library and I’m so excited about it!!! I love Tom Perrotta.
I think you’ll really like this one. Yay Tom Perrotta!!!
glad you liked it.
I have it in my pile and was a little put off when I read two reviews in the NY Times last week..one love it, one did not.
Well, I’m a big fan of Perrotta and his worldview. I could see that this book might be divisive though.
Oh, I’m glad that old Tom ‘s still got it. I really do want to read this.
Yep … old Tom still has it.