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Left
Therese Wolley is a mother who has made a promise. She works as a secretary, shops for groceries on Saturdays, and takes care of her two girls. She doesn’t dwell on the fact that her girls are fatherless, mostly because her own father abandoned her before she was born and she has done just fine without him.
Even though her older daughter regularly wakes with nightmares and her younger one whispers letters under her breath, she doesn’t shift from her resolve that everything will be fine. She promises . . . and they believe.
Until the morning an obituary in the newspaper changes everything. Therese immediately knows what she has to do. She cannot delay what she has planned, and she cannot find the words to explain her heartbreaking decision to her daughters. She considers her responsibilities, her girls, and her promise. Then she does the only thing that any real mother would do. She goes on the run with one daughter . . . and abandons the other.
Left is told from the perspectives of Franny, the autistic sister who is left behind; Matilda, the troubled older sister who vows to go back and save her; and Therese, a mother on the run.
Even though her older daughter regularly wakes with nightmares and her younger one whispers letters under her breath, she doesn’t shift from her resolve that everything will be fine. She promises . . . and they believe.
Until the morning an obituary in the newspaper changes everything. Therese immediately knows what she has to do. She cannot delay what she has planned, and she cannot find the words to explain her heartbreaking decision to her daughters. She considers her responsibilities, her girls, and her promise. Then she does the only thing that any real mother would do. She goes on the run with one daughter . . . and abandons the other.
Left is told from the perspectives of Franny, the autistic sister who is left behind; Matilda, the troubled older sister who vows to go back and save her; and Therese, a mother on the run.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2013
130 people are currently reading
1683 people want to read
About the author
Tamar Ossowski
3 books33 followersTamar Ossowski is the daughter of Holocaust survivors and the mother of three children, one of whom was born with special needs. She is fascinated with the concept of fate, and whether we arrive where we are as a result of our choices, or in spite of them.
Ossowski is the author of two books, Left and Fractured, and is currently working on her third novel, tentatively titled Ghost. She lives in Massachusetts with her family and her two cats, whom she is convinced hold the answers to all of life’s mysteries, or at least the important ones!
Ossowski is the author of two books, Left and Fractured, and is currently working on her third novel, tentatively titled Ghost. She lives in Massachusetts with her family and her two cats, whom she is convinced hold the answers to all of life’s mysteries, or at least the important ones!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
December 29, 2013
First of all this synopsis is not accurate. Therese is not on the run. She's not hiding from anything or anyone. If she was hiding or running for someone, that is what I consider on the run. Therese just decides to follow her heart. Since I didn't know these things before reading the book I kept waiting to find out why she was on the run because it sure didn't seem like she was on the run. I was left quite confused as a I was reading. I was also waiting for the answers to all the secrets in the book and you don't find them out until about 15 pages from the end. The author kept dropping very vague hints and foreshadowing moments but nothing was concrete enough to let me figure out what was going it. It kind of drove me crazy as I really dislike knowing something is happening but not knowing what it is. I was really intrigued with this book but after reading it all, I just got to thinking about how selfish Therese was and how she did not have the best interest of her daughters in mind- she just had her own interests in mind and I really didn't understand where Leah was coming from at all. There were just so many parts of this book that left me confused and parts that were quite strange that made me rate this a 3 stars.
December 26, 2013
3.5 This one turned out to be a mixed bag for me. The voices of the two main narrators, 12 yr. old Matilda and 9 yr. old Franny were wonderful and engaging. Franny see numbers in her head, she is autistic. Though this is never actually stated and since the author has a son who is autistic, Frannys behavior was very real, her fears and needs related so that the reader could feel her vulnerability to various people, situations and stimuli. I also admit to being hooked in the beginning by the girls and the situation they find themselves in and wanted to keep reading to find out what was going on, what was going to happen and what happened in the past that made this all necessary.
Therese and Leah, the two main adults in the novel I had a harder time connecting to or even liking. Therese seemed to only care about her motives, she could have explained to her daughter what was going on, but did not. Secrets kept and lives filled with secrets rarely turn out well. Leah, though having a traumatic childhood, I had a very hard time understanding. The decisions she made I could understand short term but not long term.
Plus the way these two women handled things just filled me with anger and sympathy for the two girls.
As one can see the story is intriguing, the two young girls evoke sympathy and caring and the book is written in a somewhat different fashion that I enjoyed.
ARC from publisher.
Therese and Leah, the two main adults in the novel I had a harder time connecting to or even liking. Therese seemed to only care about her motives, she could have explained to her daughter what was going on, but did not. Secrets kept and lives filled with secrets rarely turn out well. Leah, though having a traumatic childhood, I had a very hard time understanding. The decisions she made I could understand short term but not long term.
Plus the way these two women handled things just filled me with anger and sympathy for the two girls.
As one can see the story is intriguing, the two young girls evoke sympathy and caring and the book is written in a somewhat different fashion that I enjoyed.
ARC from publisher.
December 2, 2013
Unfolding primarily through the perspectives of twelve year old Matilda and nine year old Franny, Left is an emotional novel about mothers and daughters, of family secrets, betrayal and forgiveness.
One morning, Therese bundles Matilda and Franny into the family car, their belongings crammed into garbage bags, and refusing to answer any questions, drives to the home of an old friend, Leah. Matilda and Franny are bewildered by Therese's behaviour, even more so when, the next morning, Therese abandons Franny to Leah's care without a word of explanation, taking only Matilda with her to start over in another town.
The perspectives of Matilda and Franny are beautifully written. Matilda's confusion and resentment at her mother and the situation is clearly communicated. Her bond with Franny is sweet and her promise to return to her sister is heartfelt and touching.
Franny is an unusual child who recites letters in her head. Though it is never explicitly stated, Franny is autistic, as is the authors daughter, and her perspective is unique. She tries desperately to make sense of her mother's desertion and aches for her sister, but also quickly becomes attached to Leah.
Manipulative and selfish, Therese is not a likeable character. She is running to protect herself, refusing to acknowledge her poor decisions and denying responsibility for her actions, both past and present, viewing herself as a victim.
I wasn't a fan of Leah either, I had a lot of trouble understanding her decision which was perhaps wise in the short term, but unacceptable in the long term. There also seems to be some issues regarding her mental stability which makes me wonder if she is the best person to raise Franny.
A character driven story with a measured pace, Left is an engaging, poignant novel, and confident debut from Tamar Osowski.
October 29, 2014
I'm missing what others liked about this sad and depressing tale. All the characters are messed up; There is not one redeeming quality about any of them.
Therese senses things about people and used that to finally get what she wanted. She quickly was soon gravely disappointed. There's spineless Tim who Therese falls for, for some reason. What was she thinking? Tim's mother - a controlling literal force of nature. Matilda became rebellious but who could blame her. Every relationship was messed up beyond belief. At times the story made me think of of a child's movie with the big bad controlling mother and the spineless son who can't stand up to her. All we need now is a visit to Oz for a miraculous change of heart.
At about 75%, I had figured out correctly about Frannie and why she was left at Leah's. The only thing to draw the reader in is why she was left behind and that wasn't earth-shattering. The tension between Matilda and her mother would have been greatly lessened had Therese told her why she left her sister with her friend.
A bit of a twist at almost book's end but nothing remarkable.
Therese senses things about people and used that to finally get what she wanted. She quickly was soon gravely disappointed. There's spineless Tim who Therese falls for, for some reason. What was she thinking? Tim's mother - a controlling literal force of nature. Matilda became rebellious but who could blame her. Every relationship was messed up beyond belief. At times the story made me think of of a child's movie with the big bad controlling mother and the spineless son who can't stand up to her. All we need now is a visit to Oz for a miraculous change of heart.
At about 75%, I had figured out correctly about Frannie and why she was left at Leah's. The only thing to draw the reader in is why she was left behind and that wasn't earth-shattering. The tension between Matilda and her mother would have been greatly lessened had Therese told her why she left her sister with her friend.
A bit of a twist at almost book's end but nothing remarkable.
October 20, 2013
Can love and forgiveness be strong enough to overcome the harm caused by fear, misunderstanding, and abandonment? That’s a central question in this wonderful first novel by Tamar Ossowski.
It tells the stories of three females: twelve-year-old Matilda; her sister, nine-year-old Franny, who has autism; and their single mother Therese, who suddenly abandons Franny and runs off with Matilda to a new town to start life over. Ossowski tells her story in the alternating voices of the two sisters, interspersed with Therese’s story told in third person and largely flashback, examining what led up to her desperate act and why she did it.
Ossowski has made her characters distinctly different, with compelling voices, and her writing is at its most powerful and beautiful when she’s speaking in the voices of the two girls. Matilda, the older sister, is intelligent perhaps beyond her years and rebellious with good reason; Therese has spirited her away to a strange place with no explanation, leaving her beloved sister behind with Therese’s best friend for no reason that Matilda can fathom. Her anger and resentment fester and come close to hatred toward her mother.
When Matilda develops a crush on her new friend’s older brother and Therese warns her to keep away from him, it only drives Matilda closer to him. Throughout the novel she never forgets the promise she left behind for Franny: that she will come back for her and bring her home.
Therese is the most difficult and puzzling character initially. She’s self-centered, arrogant, and supremely confident that her instincts are always correct. Early in her life she discovers her ability to “spark” people and things—to see that they have secrets, to know when they will be important in her life. But her ability suddenly fails her when she meets Tim, a grocery clerk, to whom she nevertheless feels a strange attraction. She becomes more intrigued when she learns that he lives with his mother inside a small red house and when he refuses to take her inside or introduce her to his mother. She becomes convinced that the red house—and Tim and his mother—are part of her destiny. Because she believes so completely in her instincts, and because her “biggest weakness was an insatiable need to uncover secrets,” she begins to scheme and manipulate to make her way inside the house and into their lives.
Franny is Ossowski’s most fascinating and sympathetic creation. Her voice is a revelation as to how much really goes on inside the minds of children with autism. She’s a child who’s afraid of noise and popcorn, who takes to spelling words to calm herself down when she’s upset, who can become completely absorbed in watching the way paints diffuse in water and turn it into colors. She sees, understands, and knows things that most people don’t. She keeps the letters Matilda writes to her and believes her sister’s promise to come back for her, yet she settles into her new life with Therese’s friend Leah and comes to love her. Leah is an artist with pain of her own in her past, and her way of looking at things seems to blend well with Franny’s. They teach and learn from each other.
Finally it’s the relationship between Therese and Leah that leads to the secret behind Therese’s actions. Leah is highly intuitive and sensitive, a woman who somehow seems about to dissolve into wisps and yet has great inner strength. Through their friendship Therese grows into a person capable of unselfish love. But will it be enough to save her? Will she be able to earn the forgiveness of Matilda and Franny, and will she herself be able to forgive the hurt that was done to her?
LEFT is a complex and absorbing novel. Tamar Ossowski is an exciting new writer, and I look forward eagerly to her future books.
It tells the stories of three females: twelve-year-old Matilda; her sister, nine-year-old Franny, who has autism; and their single mother Therese, who suddenly abandons Franny and runs off with Matilda to a new town to start life over. Ossowski tells her story in the alternating voices of the two sisters, interspersed with Therese’s story told in third person and largely flashback, examining what led up to her desperate act and why she did it.
Ossowski has made her characters distinctly different, with compelling voices, and her writing is at its most powerful and beautiful when she’s speaking in the voices of the two girls. Matilda, the older sister, is intelligent perhaps beyond her years and rebellious with good reason; Therese has spirited her away to a strange place with no explanation, leaving her beloved sister behind with Therese’s best friend for no reason that Matilda can fathom. Her anger and resentment fester and come close to hatred toward her mother.
When Matilda develops a crush on her new friend’s older brother and Therese warns her to keep away from him, it only drives Matilda closer to him. Throughout the novel she never forgets the promise she left behind for Franny: that she will come back for her and bring her home.
Therese is the most difficult and puzzling character initially. She’s self-centered, arrogant, and supremely confident that her instincts are always correct. Early in her life she discovers her ability to “spark” people and things—to see that they have secrets, to know when they will be important in her life. But her ability suddenly fails her when she meets Tim, a grocery clerk, to whom she nevertheless feels a strange attraction. She becomes more intrigued when she learns that he lives with his mother inside a small red house and when he refuses to take her inside or introduce her to his mother. She becomes convinced that the red house—and Tim and his mother—are part of her destiny. Because she believes so completely in her instincts, and because her “biggest weakness was an insatiable need to uncover secrets,” she begins to scheme and manipulate to make her way inside the house and into their lives.
Franny is Ossowski’s most fascinating and sympathetic creation. Her voice is a revelation as to how much really goes on inside the minds of children with autism. She’s a child who’s afraid of noise and popcorn, who takes to spelling words to calm herself down when she’s upset, who can become completely absorbed in watching the way paints diffuse in water and turn it into colors. She sees, understands, and knows things that most people don’t. She keeps the letters Matilda writes to her and believes her sister’s promise to come back for her, yet she settles into her new life with Therese’s friend Leah and comes to love her. Leah is an artist with pain of her own in her past, and her way of looking at things seems to blend well with Franny’s. They teach and learn from each other.
Finally it’s the relationship between Therese and Leah that leads to the secret behind Therese’s actions. Leah is highly intuitive and sensitive, a woman who somehow seems about to dissolve into wisps and yet has great inner strength. Through their friendship Therese grows into a person capable of unselfish love. But will it be enough to save her? Will she be able to earn the forgiveness of Matilda and Franny, and will she herself be able to forgive the hurt that was done to her?
LEFT is a complex and absorbing novel. Tamar Ossowski is an exciting new writer, and I look forward eagerly to her future books.
January 15, 2014
Ossowski's three point-of-view characters see the world in vastly different ways, and each earns our empathy as she struggles to make sense of it. Therese, the mother, suddenly leaves her daughter Franny with her best friend for no known reason. As she struggles to make sense of her past, we learn her secrets and decide if we can forgive her. Matilda, Therese's older daughter, is furious for her mother for what she has done to her sister, but she is haunted by vague memories and terrors. Franny, the abandoned daughter, has a hard time feeling comfortable in the world. She is easily overwhelmed by her senses and has a hard time communicating directly with others. Yet she also sees things that others cannot. As she settles into her new life with Leah, she tries to understand both her mother and the friend with whom she has been left.
The novel is filled with surprises and exciting plot twists, but its best aspects are the characters and their voices. Ossowski gets us very deep into each of their heads, with rich, vivid prose and distinctive points-of-view for each character. In the process, she teaches us a great deal about the many types of love and forgiveness. In the end, there is almost no unforgivable person, even if there are unforgivable acts.
Beautifully told, richly imagined, and incredibly moving. I couldn't put it down.
The novel is filled with surprises and exciting plot twists, but its best aspects are the characters and their voices. Ossowski gets us very deep into each of their heads, with rich, vivid prose and distinctive points-of-view for each character. In the process, she teaches us a great deal about the many types of love and forgiveness. In the end, there is almost no unforgivable person, even if there are unforgivable acts.
Beautifully told, richly imagined, and incredibly moving. I couldn't put it down.
December 18, 2015
I was immediately intrigued by the synopsis, and couldn't wait to read it. I do enjoy books told from multiple perspectives as I feel that telling a story from more than one point of view can really flesh out a narrative that might otherwise be pretty one-dimentional. I connected with both Matilda and Franny in their experiences. It, oddly, took me back to my own childhood. My father died suddenly when I was ten years old. While I still had my mother, it didn't really feel like I had her, if that makes any sense. Like Matilda, I didn't understand my mother's decisions and how my mother acted sometimes (and still don't even though I am an adult and have my own family now). Likewise, I didn't really understand Therese's motivations or her actions, either.
I very much enjoyed the imagery expressed throughout the novel. Tamar Ossowski wove the language she employed in a way that was very intriguing to me. I was very impressed with her writing technique and the ease with which I could imagine the characters and their surroundings in my mind.
I very much enjoyed the imagery expressed throughout the novel. Tamar Ossowski wove the language she employed in a way that was very intriguing to me. I was very impressed with her writing technique and the ease with which I could imagine the characters and their surroundings in my mind.
September 30, 2015
I can usually tell by my first reading session how well I will like the book. Do I sit down and lose track of time and suddenly I have read over 150 pages? Did I feel like I had to keep reading "another chapter"? Or did I push myself to get to my 50-100 page stop point and breathe a sigh of relief? Left is a book that I had to push myself for 2 days to even read 45 pages. We will see where that takes me.
Well I had to absolutely push myself to read a few pages at a time then I would get bored and stop reading. I didn't connect to any character whatsoever. I didn't care about the plot. I came away without a real understanding of why Franny was left. (This isn't a spoiler. It is in the description.). I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. It was a random book I picked up at the library that sounded good by the description but the writing lacked everything it needed to carry out a decent story. Just a bad book. 1 star.
Well I had to absolutely push myself to read a few pages at a time then I would get bored and stop reading. I didn't connect to any character whatsoever. I didn't care about the plot. I came away without a real understanding of why Franny was left. (This isn't a spoiler. It is in the description.). I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. It was a random book I picked up at the library that sounded good by the description but the writing lacked everything it needed to carry out a decent story. Just a bad book. 1 star.
February 22, 2025
The writing style didn’t suit the age of the characters or the genre/demographic. The synopsis didn’t match the actual book. The secrets and actual plot was only revealed until the very end, and it left me tired.
June 17, 2017
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author of this novel for my ARC for a fair and honest review.
This novel is about the story of two girls who were being raised by their mother and grandmother and how their lives took a wild detour that separated them. Their mother, Therese, after leaving her mothers home dropped off her daughter Franny at her friend Leah's place and didn't appear to look back. She and Matilda, the elder of the two daughters, moved away to start again after Therese received a phone call from Leah.
The story covers two timelines, the life of Therese before the birth of the children and the current timeline which covers from just before the girls were separated until the conclusion of the book. Now I did have part of the storyline figured out, but the author did a nice job keeping the story interesting without going too over the top.
I really enjoyed the characters of Matilda and Franny. Matilda was the typical protective older sibling and probably more so as you discover through the actions of Franny that she has high functioning Autism even though the word was not used in the book, which I thought was a great way to keep people's biases at bay.
As for the characters of Leah and Therese, I found them to be quite selfish in their own right but the ideas they had were not well thought through even though Leah's heart was somewhat in the place, I'm sure things could of been handled much differently.
The author did a fantastic job covering multiple difficult topics without sounding brash or contrite and definitely got you thinking what you would do in those very specific situations.
I am looking forward to reading more by this author in the future.
This novel is about the story of two girls who were being raised by their mother and grandmother and how their lives took a wild detour that separated them. Their mother, Therese, after leaving her mothers home dropped off her daughter Franny at her friend Leah's place and didn't appear to look back. She and Matilda, the elder of the two daughters, moved away to start again after Therese received a phone call from Leah.
The story covers two timelines, the life of Therese before the birth of the children and the current timeline which covers from just before the girls were separated until the conclusion of the book. Now I did have part of the storyline figured out, but the author did a nice job keeping the story interesting without going too over the top.
I really enjoyed the characters of Matilda and Franny. Matilda was the typical protective older sibling and probably more so as you discover through the actions of Franny that she has high functioning Autism even though the word was not used in the book, which I thought was a great way to keep people's biases at bay.
As for the characters of Leah and Therese, I found them to be quite selfish in their own right but the ideas they had were not well thought through even though Leah's heart was somewhat in the place, I'm sure things could of been handled much differently.
The author did a fantastic job covering multiple difficult topics without sounding brash or contrite and definitely got you thinking what you would do in those very specific situations.
I am looking forward to reading more by this author in the future.
October 28, 2013
There are a few books that stick around long after you're done reading them. I'm talking about the books in which the characters and their situations are just so strong that they keep revisiting you while you're shoveling snow or walking up the stairs from the subway. *Left* is one of those books.
The portrayal of of how violence within intimate relationships reverberates is incredibly nuanced. Ossowski doesn't revert to hackneyed stereotypes or graphic scenes. Rather, in acknowledgement that no author can truly render those scenes, she writes glimpses of the results of that violence, which are all the more haunting and vivid because she doesn't oversimplify or try to present the violence in its entirety.
Even more striking is the sensitive rendering of the main characters. Franny, who is on the spectrum, is not written the way people with special needs too often are, with disjointed and fractured language. Instead, the author really writes this child's voice the way the child experiences it. As a result, she is interesting far beyond being a "special needs" child. She's interesting because of ALL of her. It's refreshing to read a character on the spectrum who is not reduced to what other people think of her.
I'm grateful for this book, which--like *Room*--will likely keep resurfacing in my mind.
The portrayal of of how violence within intimate relationships reverberates is incredibly nuanced. Ossowski doesn't revert to hackneyed stereotypes or graphic scenes. Rather, in acknowledgement that no author can truly render those scenes, she writes glimpses of the results of that violence, which are all the more haunting and vivid because she doesn't oversimplify or try to present the violence in its entirety.
Even more striking is the sensitive rendering of the main characters. Franny, who is on the spectrum, is not written the way people with special needs too often are, with disjointed and fractured language. Instead, the author really writes this child's voice the way the child experiences it. As a result, she is interesting far beyond being a "special needs" child. She's interesting because of ALL of her. It's refreshing to read a character on the spectrum who is not reduced to what other people think of her.
I'm grateful for this book, which--like *Room*--will likely keep resurfacing in my mind.
December 21, 2013
I had a hard time understanding why Therese bundles up Matilda and Franny and dumps Franny off to live with Leah, especially since Franny is autistic. (You will find out at the very end of the book).
Therese’s characters is very self centered and at times arrogant. I did not like how she hid everything from Matilda when all Matilda wanted was a mother. Matilda is 12 years old and very well beyond her years. She does not listen to what her mother says and is confused why onc day she has a sister and the next day she does not. Franny is 9 and how the author describes what goes on in her mind regarding her autism is fascinating. Leah – I had a hard time understanding this character and thought she was very immature to take care of a 9 year old.
I like how the author gives each character a voice and how her attention to details of each character. I give this book 3 stars because at times it was confusing and just kind of dragged on.
Therese’s characters is very self centered and at times arrogant. I did not like how she hid everything from Matilda when all Matilda wanted was a mother. Matilda is 12 years old and very well beyond her years. She does not listen to what her mother says and is confused why onc day she has a sister and the next day she does not. Franny is 9 and how the author describes what goes on in her mind regarding her autism is fascinating. Leah – I had a hard time understanding this character and thought she was very immature to take care of a 9 year old.
I like how the author gives each character a voice and how her attention to details of each character. I give this book 3 stars because at times it was confusing and just kind of dragged on.
February 16, 2016
I really ended up liking this book and would definitely recommend it. I found the concept disturbing initially: why would a seemingly flighty mother dump off one child but keep the other? I found the flip-flopping between Franny, Matilda and Therese's points of view pretty easy to follow, which has been a definite deal-breaker in other books when it wasn't done well. I adored Franny and felt so bad for her. I could definitely relate to the anxiety. Therese I found to be fairly worthless but I did sympathize with her towards the end (you will see why, no spoilers). I didn't see the one plot twist coming, and the ending did really make the book, so if you feel it dragging or annoying you a bit, push through, it gets better. All in all it was a great story, with mostly very likeable characters, although sad in parts. A much better portrayal of family than it appears to be from the outside.
January 29, 2018
Therese is the mother of 2 daughters, Matilda 12 and Franny 9 who is also autistic. One morning she wakes up, reads the paper and decides to leave her mother's home. She drops Franny off at her best friends house and takes Matilda to start a life elsewhere.
This is one of those books that leaves you feeling unsure of whether you liked it or not. You have to digest it for a bit afterward. I think I did like it, it kept me turning pages and I was interested in the characters and all the secrets unfolding slowly throughout. It's the type of book that will keep you thinking about it long after you've read it. I liked the way the author writes, but one of the characters was way to shallow for my liking. I don't want to give anything away so will generalize a bit. It's either a book you will like or hate.
This is one of those books that leaves you feeling unsure of whether you liked it or not. You have to digest it for a bit afterward. I think I did like it, it kept me turning pages and I was interested in the characters and all the secrets unfolding slowly throughout. It's the type of book that will keep you thinking about it long after you've read it. I liked the way the author writes, but one of the characters was way to shallow for my liking. I don't want to give anything away so will generalize a bit. It's either a book you will like or hate.
November 22, 2015
Horrible. Don't waste your time
November 24, 2018
This book has given me so much to think about. I can’t wait to discuss it with my bookclub group.
December 30, 2020
3 stars
review to come
review to come
November 22, 2021
This novel does not depict autism well. I can’t believe the author consulted any autistic adults or did research beyond her own experience with her child. The thing that bothered me most was how the “letters” were described. Clearly letters and spelling were meant to be Franny’s special interest, but Franny describes letters as taking over her or as some kind of affliction affecting her instead of a retreat or coping mechanism.
Her sensory sensitivities are inconsistent at best for no reason. They’re always presented as something that Franny needs to overcome and it’s always seen as a success to her when she does. There’s a lot of tropes, Franny counting things for example, that didn’t make sense for her character. Something that would make more sense with her special interest would be creating ciphers or shorthand writing.
There’s a distinct lack of understanding of ASD as a neurotype. For example, Franny often notices others emotions and understands them but then is presented as not caring about them.
I am autistic, and while there were moments that feel accurate and touching, overall, it doesn’t feel like it’s from an autistic person’s perspective. I learned more about how a neurotypical parent perceives their autistic child. The reasons behind Franny’s actions feel inauthentic to me at best. Maltilda seemed to present a better example of autism than Franny, with her struggles with socializing, obsession with Dylan, obsession with seeming cool, her sensory seeking behavior, and struggles with recognizing and controlling her emotions.
Otherwise, the plot wasn’t very well paced, the characterization was inconsistent (the mom was obsessed with secrets but that gets dropped halfway through) and none of the characters were very likable. It was a pretty interesting plot, but that was overshadowed by these issues.
Her sensory sensitivities are inconsistent at best for no reason. They’re always presented as something that Franny needs to overcome and it’s always seen as a success to her when she does. There’s a lot of tropes, Franny counting things for example, that didn’t make sense for her character. Something that would make more sense with her special interest would be creating ciphers or shorthand writing.
There’s a distinct lack of understanding of ASD as a neurotype. For example, Franny often notices others emotions and understands them but then is presented as not caring about them.
I am autistic, and while there were moments that feel accurate and touching, overall, it doesn’t feel like it’s from an autistic person’s perspective. I learned more about how a neurotypical parent perceives their autistic child. The reasons behind Franny’s actions feel inauthentic to me at best. Maltilda seemed to present a better example of autism than Franny, with her struggles with socializing, obsession with Dylan, obsession with seeming cool, her sensory seeking behavior, and struggles with recognizing and controlling her emotions.
Otherwise, the plot wasn’t very well paced, the characterization was inconsistent (the mom was obsessed with secrets but that gets dropped halfway through) and none of the characters were very likable. It was a pretty interesting plot, but that was overshadowed by these issues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2016
Left is a story about secrets and loss as well as the power of love and friendship. It is told from the perspectives of Franny, the nine year old sister left behind, Matilda, the 12 year old sister smuggled away and their mother on the run. Franny is autistic although this is never directly stated. I enjoy reading stories told from different perspectives. The author beautifully describes how Franny experiences change and her response to various stimuli. For example, Franny's tells about her first trip to the movies desperately trying to be brave and do 'normal' things with her friend. "I didn't tell her I was scared of popcorn. That it was crunchy and loud was troubling enough, but the fact that it needed to explode before you could eat it terrified me even more....The lights went down and then it got darker, like a blanket I could hide under." (p. 135) Franny 'sees' letters in her mind and finds comfort in spelling out words when in stress. While reading the chapters told from Franny's perspective I wanted to reach out and hold this child and help her feel safe. Matilda's point of view is a bit more complicated as preteens and teenage girls tend to be. Matilda angst grows while she tries to uncover her mother's secrets while hiding many of her own. I did not feel as connected to Theresa, the mother. I would have liked to understand her better and the relationship with the other main female character Leah. Maybe rereading this book will help me focus more on the adult's story. I did enjoy this book and found myself thinking about the characters throughout my day hoping that when I picked up the story they would find peace.
June 23, 2022
the story itself verges on ridiculous. the magic of "sparking" was introduced only to have therese refuse to use it in any helpful way. the "secrets" were totally pointless for two adult women to carry. the decision to "leave" Franny with a "stranger" was see through and just... dumb. the ending was so whirlwind with people happening to move across the state but right next door to the very people they didn't want to cross paths with? they lived there but NEVER saw each other until a fateful night *soft spoiler* where literally a lighting strikes the house TWICE and a tree falls on the bad guy who we only interact with once btw. but he's the reason this whole thing happened? ugh just sloppy writing that felt almost YA in it's approach but was so out of touch with how teenagers would behave that it definitely also ISN'T YA.
just bad y'all.
just bad y'all.
September 19, 2014
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Two little girls have known the company of only each other and right into this book they must learn to live without the other as a safeguard. Through the story you learn the real story about how they became sisters.
Told through three different characters points of view - the mother, Therese; the older daughter, Matilda; and the young daughter Franny - they each contribute an unique view into the story of these women. Therese's story is told straight from the past and gives the reader the background knowledge they need, while both Franny and Matilda are telling the current story of their separation and how each are coping without the other.
Two little girls have known the company of only each other and right into this book they must learn to live without the other as a safeguard. Through the story you learn the real story about how they became sisters.
Told through three different characters points of view - the mother, Therese; the older daughter, Matilda; and the young daughter Franny - they each contribute an unique view into the story of these women. Therese's story is told straight from the past and gives the reader the background knowledge they need, while both Franny and Matilda are telling the current story of their separation and how each are coping without the other.
January 12, 2014
Franny's voice pulls at your heartstrings. She is realistic.
Matlida's voice bounces from being mature beyond her age to being very immature - which at her age is normal.
Therese's voice seems very selfish, until the end and you see her true motivation.
I did not enjoy the fact that everyone had secrets. It is enjoyable to read and figure out some secrets, but this book was overloaded with them. I found my mind wandering some times and others I was frustrated. I don't know if it was the writing as much as the subject.
The last 40 pages brought everything together and made sense out of the rest of the story.
Ope's Opinions.com
Matlida's voice bounces from being mature beyond her age to being very immature - which at her age is normal.
Therese's voice seems very selfish, until the end and you see her true motivation.
I did not enjoy the fact that everyone had secrets. It is enjoyable to read and figure out some secrets, but this book was overloaded with them. I found my mind wandering some times and others I was frustrated. I don't know if it was the writing as much as the subject.
The last 40 pages brought everything together and made sense out of the rest of the story.
Ope's Opinions.com
January 8, 2014
When I read the book jacket on this novel, I wasn't expecting the book to turn out the way it did. It is told in chapters by the main characters and each one has a different perspective of what is going on. It's a sad story about 2 young girls who don't understand why they are taken away from the home and people they knew. Their mother suddenly decides she has to take the girls and leave town. What you don't know is why. I figured out part of the reason early in the story but I had to read it to know the final answers. This is a first novel by this author and she did a creditable job. I think if she writes another book; it will be better.
May 30, 2015
This book was pretty good. It is the story of a family, told in three parts: the mother, Therese, and her two daughters, Matilda (older) and Franny (younger), who appears to be on the autism spectrum, although it is never clear. It goes back and forth between the present time and Terese being pregnant with Matilda, and the role of males in all three of the narrators' lives is interwoven. I found it predictable and limiting that there were no positive male characters in the whole book, but I loved the relationship between the sisters, the development of the plot as the past catches up with the future, and the twist at the end that actually got me. Its a quick, well-written, engrossing read.
December 5, 2015
This is a novel to read for the inner perspectives of the children, one of whom is autistic and both of whom experience the mystifying and damaging behaviour of the adults in their lives. The adults are more opaque and come across as unnecessarily selfish and manipulating. There are wonderfully described scenes which take you right into the physical and emotional world of the characters, but unconvincing plot twists which don't seem to fit the characters as they are described. Nevertheless I was prepared to give this four or five stars, until the massively engineered tie up at the end which relies on highly improbable coincidence to bring the threads together and explain everything.
April 1, 2016
I had mixed feeling about this book. It was a very quick read. It leaves you with a lot to ponder. Therese packs up her two daughters Matilde and Franny one day. She was living with her mother and one glimpse at the obituary in the days paper is the catalyst. She leaves Franny with her old friend Leah. Her and Matilde move into a new home. The book probably left me with more questions after finishing than I did when I started. Therese is unlikable. Leah is eh. Matilde and Franny are the only reasons I gave two stars. That and the ending. Where something I thought was right and something else came to light.
November 7, 2013
I think what resonated with me so much about this book is the fact that the author is the mother of a special needs child. I've never read a book a book like this, with the point of view so beautifully spelled out from the child. She has a great perspective of what life would be like to be an autistic child. I loved the descriptions of the characters' thoughts and feelings. What a fantastic and unbreakable bond between Franny and Matilda!
I received this book as a Goodreads First Read drawing.
I received this book as a Goodreads First Read drawing.
January 9, 2014
3.5 I have mixed feelings about this book. The storyline reeled me in. I wanted to find out what happened and what secrets were to be revealed. I like the way the author flipped between the girls' current day thoughts and the mother's remembrances to slowly reveal the "mystery". There were parts that I found too coincidental in the plot, but overall the author did a good job making the voices of her storytellers real and believable. If you are looking for a page-turner with a strange plotline - this is for you!
January 10, 2014
I loved this book. The characters were intriguing and I loved that the point of views were of the women. There are few books that I have read that I vehemently recommend and Left is one of them. I was amazed at how Tamar weaves these characters together and the underlying theme is fate and how people end up where they do in their lives. Tamar attended my Book Group and it was a treat to hear her talk about her writing process. Left is a must read that will make you think about your place in life.
September 21, 2016
WOW!
Just WOW!
The things we do affects everything, like dominos lined up so exactly close enough that a simple nudge or a shove with an angry fist leaves the dominos lying down, no longer standing. But they're still dominos and they can be picked up and arranged differently, just as our lives can shift into new configurations.
This is a wonderful novel about the complexity of life and how love and fear and anger and so many other emotions influence the choices we make and the direction our lives take.
I absolutely loved this book.
Just WOW!
The things we do affects everything, like dominos lined up so exactly close enough that a simple nudge or a shove with an angry fist leaves the dominos lying down, no longer standing. But they're still dominos and they can be picked up and arranged differently, just as our lives can shift into new configurations.
This is a wonderful novel about the complexity of life and how love and fear and anger and so many other emotions influence the choices we make and the direction our lives take.
I absolutely loved this book.
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