What I Leave Behind

by Alison McGhee

After his dad commits suicide, Will tries to overcome his own misery by secretly helping the people around him in this story made up of one hundred chapters of one hundred words each.

Sixteen-year-old Will spends most of his days the same way: Working at the Dollar Only store, trying to replicate his late father’s famous cornbread recipe, and walking the streets of Los Angeles. Will started walking after his father committed suicide, and three years later he hasn’t stopped. But there are some places Will can’t walk by: The blessings store with the chest of 100 Chinese blessings in the back, the bridge on Fourth Street where his father died, and his childhood friend Playa’s house.

When Will learns Playa was raped at a party—a party he was at, where he saw Playa, and where he believes he could have stopped the worst from happening if he hadn’t left early—it spurs Will to stop being complacent in his own sadness and do some good in the world. He begins to leave small gifts for everyone in his life, from Superman the homeless guy he passes on his way to work, to the Little Butterfly Dude he walks by on the way home, to Playa herself. And it is through those acts of kindness that Will is finally able to push past his own trauma and truly begin to live his life again. Oh, and discover the truth about that cornbread.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Mental Health, Audiobook, Teen

208 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2018

About the author

Alison McGhee writes novels, picture books, poems, and essays for all ages, including the just-published THE OPPOSITE OF FATE, a novel, and the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller SOMEDAY, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Her work has been translated into more than 20 languages. She lives in Minneapolis and California.

Reviews

[joanna ☽ vee · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know what's weird? That something - something big - can happen to someone you know, someone you've known forever, while you're just living your life, and you don't even know it's happening.

3.5 stars for a sweet, short novel; I'd probably best describe it as like a chocolate -- quick to consume, but enjoyable all the same, although not really leaving much of an impression in the days after.

It's actually quite a pretty story, although it does delve into some deeper and darker issues, which I enjoyed exploring through Will's humorous, often bitter, voice. It follows a teenage boy coping with horrible events in his own life (his father's death, his best friend's rape) by giving back kindness to the world and spreading positivity.

This book is undoubtedly beautiful in visual terms. The cover is beautiful and the way the pages are laid out are stunning. The concept was intriguing, too; I was drawn in by the idea of such a meticulously organised novel, so uniquely formatted that it stands out amongst the sea of typical YA contemporaries.

The structure meant that each scene led onto the next quickly, so that even though nothing particularly intense happens, the pace is quick. This made it fun and easy to read, and before I knew it, pages were flying by.

However, this novel's strength was also a weakness in some ways. Due to the briefness of each scene, the true details of the story are never fully fleshed out. The ideas and storyline are all there, but they are not as poignant and touching as they could have been - especially with the tough topics it deals with.

It's another incredibly important book in discussing topics such as rape and suicide. I feel like as we progress as a society, we need to talk about difficult obstacles in order to overcome them, and this book does just that. However, I do think that if we discuss topics like this, we need to explore them in new ways and go beyond the surface, rather than letting the events in a person's past define their entire personality.

I think the characters were interesting and compelling, if never truly characterised. I really enjoyed the way McGhee put together her cast in the short timeframe she had, and although there isn't much development, they were definitely enjoyable to read about.

There were some moments where I found the book impossibly sweet and emotional, but they were too short and scattered too sparsely for me to give this a higher rating. I did enjoy it immensely, and I'd consider reading books by Alison McGhee again.

Thank you to Atheneum for providing me with an e-ARC via Edelweiss!

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[Brithanie Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐


ARC provided by NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review!


What I Leave Behind by Alison McGhee is one of the more uniquely formatted YA contemporaries that I have ever read. Told in 100 chapters, that are all 100 words each, this story follows Will, a teen who's father has recently committed suicide, and is dealing with grief in his own way by doing what he can to help those around him, including an old friend who was raped while attending a party they both attended.

Pros:

-I really enjoyed the random acts of kindness. Will may never fully understand why his father took his own life, but choosing to look out for those around him who may have needed the extra "hey I'm here, and I care how you're feeling" warmed my heart. I mean, why wouldn't you choose to be kind to the people around you?

Cons:

-While this packed quite the punch, I feel like this could have been longer, and that some of the details weren't as fleshed out as I would have liked.

Final Thoughts/Comments:

This title is expected to release on the 15th of May, 2018. I really liked this author's writing style, and I am interested in reading more of this author's work in the future.

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did he feel like he was one thing on the outside and something else entirely different on the inside? Does Major Tom feel that way? Does Playa? Do I? Sometimes.

I went into this book with a lot of optimistic curiosity, because it's admittedly an unusual formatting choice for a story. The book is written in 100 chapters, with 100 words per chapter - that's it. Fun fact for you: 10,000 words total, so despite being 200+ pages, this is what is called a novelette! Anyways...

What I Leave Behind follows the thought processes of a kid whose life has been flipped on its head by his father's passing, and now, the sexual assault his best friend has just been through. This is not a "point A to point B" sort of tale; instead, it's just Will's day-to-day life working in a dollar store, visiting the Chinese blessings store down the street, trying to make the world a little brighter, and many desperate, failed attempts to replicate his father's cast-iron skillet cornbread.

I really wanted to love this book, because the synopsis made me feel like it had a lot of potential, but it fell short for me, sadly. I just didn't feel like much of anything happened. It was mostly just a repetition of what was essentially the same scene over and over again: Will going to work, cracking silly jokes at his boss to make the guy's day better, and then going home to cook cornbread. The only real moments the story veered off from this pattern were his incredibly brief interactions with Superman (the homeless man who eats Will's gross cornbread failures), Playa (the aforementioned best friend), or a little boy down the street who's obsessed with butterflies.

I dunno, I mean, it's a sweet story. Will is a really good kid, and my heart went out to him a whole lot, and I loved his attempts to cheer up the people he cared about, but... I just don't feel like anything happened. It mostly felt like a social experiment - "how far can I get with this '100 words per chapter for 100 chapters' thing?"

All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Atheneum for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

You can find this review and more on my blog, or you can follow me on twitter, bookstagram, or facebook!

[Kelly Brigid ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Don’t let the bastards get you down.”

What first struck my interest is the peculiar format. This story is written as a collection of 100 chapters, 100 words each. They’re written from the perspective of Will, and are an account of his every day life. Although I wasn’t blown away by this novelette, I thought it was highly original and enjoyed the unique spin on storytelling McGhee brings to the table. As far as characters are concerned, I truly did admire Will, and think the first person perspective of his grief is wonderfully depicted. He didn’t imagine himself being in grief, but his actions clearly showed the wounds from his father’s suicide.

Have courage and be kind. I have a soft spot for any characters who struggle emotionally, and Will is no exception. My heart ached for him as I was reading this story, and I thought his decisions to help those around him was a beautiful way of coping with his grief. It’s also lovely because he helps others as part of his own kind nature, without any expectations for his acts to be reciprocated. He merely helped because he could. A nice addition to his character that I thought made him feel a bit more original and fleshed out, was how he had a habit of quoting song lyrics. To his boss at the Dollar Only store, he makes numerous references to the Bowie hit, Space Oddity, and to Superman, the homeless guy in his neighborhood, he always leave him change and says carry on my wayward son. A sweet touch to the story.

The length makes it difficult, but I expected more. The format of this story truly is unique. With that being said, the meager size of the novel hinders Will and the other supporting characters to develop significantly. This could’ve also been achieved if the story gravitated less from Will working at the Dollar Only and making cornbread, to him interacting with Little Butterfly Dude and Playa more. If the chapters weren’t bound by only 100 words, the story could have been expanded on, and perhaps I could’ve formed a deeper connection to the events in the story.

This is a sweet story, but it isn’t necessarily noteworthy. The conclusion is beautifully done and the writing from those final chapters gave me chills. The messages of grief, loss, and even forgiveness are so powerful and evident throughout this story, and I think it is exceptionally executed in the end. The characters are so sweet in this book, and I just wish I could’ve had more from them. I’ll definitely consider looking at McGhee’s works in the future.

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[Liza Wiemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this isn't on your radar, it should be! This is a remarkable YA novel!

From page one, I was pulled into this beautifully written, uniquely told story. There are 100 written pages with 100 words on each page. Perfect for reluctant readers, this novel will draw you in. Will, our narrator, shares his pain of his dad's suicide, the rape of his best friend, Playa, and the action he takes to cope with this trauma. He walks it off. But during his walks, he gives to others, often in secret. It brings him great joy to make other people's lives better. For a book with few words, it's filled with plenty of fascinating characters. There's a homeless man named Superman, Will's boss, Major Tom, and Mrs. Lin, who owns what Will calls "the blessings store."

I really felt for Will. He has a huge, loving, compassionate heart. This world needs kindness, and this novel spreads it in spades!

Highly recommend!

[Ankita Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe a book this small managed to touch my heart so completely. The book is barely 10,000 words long (if my maths is correct) and yet, it's so beautiful.


The book is broken down into 100 chapters, all having the length of 100 words. This unique format made it even more interesting and I found myself flipping pages at the speed of light. 


Will is a teenager who's been through a lot. His dad's death, and the rape of his best friend affect him in various ways. What I love is, his positive response to the situation. He tries to make everyone's life better, even his. And he succeeds. 


I'm so glad I got the chance to read this book and I'll definitely recommend you to check it out!

[Romie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as an audiobook, and it's such the perfect format for this story!
This book is so short I'd recommend going into it without really knowing anything? I don't know how to explain, but I feel like this story is even more impactful when you don't really know what it's about and what's going to happen.
I was surprised to get such an emotional book considering it's a book made of 100 chapters, each counting 100 words.
I don't have much to say, sorry. Just give it a try if you feel like it:)

Trigger warnings: suicide of a father — not happening in the story, but people talk about it — and rape — happens to one of the MC's friends and it's discussed.

3.75

[Stacee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was sent this as an unsolicited review request and I hadn’t heard of it until I received it.

Will is an interesting character. He’s got things going on in his life that he is struggling to deal with and yet he’s trying to spread positivity. In his walking, he meets several interesting characters and with the snippets I got of them, I was wanting more.

I really liked the format. It was small sections of words in small chapters. Everything chapter was about a half a page. From that, it was a very quick read, but this is a perfect example of quality over quantity.

Overall, it was an intriguing idea. I would have liked to get just a little more out of the story, yet this slice of time really worked.

**Huge thanks to Atheneum for sending me an early finished copy**

[maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 Stars!

--

I feel like there was a really important and beautiful story here, but it felt unfinished and too short?

Stay tuned for a full review coming soon!

[CorniHolmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 Sterne

Als ich das erste Mal von „Wie man eine Raumkapsel verlässt“ hörte, wusste ich sofort, dass ich das Buch lesen muss. Titel und Klappentext überzeugten mich auf Anhieb und von dem tollen Cover habe ich auf den ersten Blick wie magisch angezogen gefühlt. Die Autorin Alison McGhee war mir überdies nicht unbekannt. Ich habe letztes Jahr ein Werk aus ihrer Feder gelesen und da dieses ein echtes Highlight für mich war, zögerte ich wirklich keine Sekunde lang und ließ „Wie man eine Raumkapsel verlässt“ nur zu gerne bei mir einziehen.

Die meisten Leute sind keine Geher. Will aber ist einer. Er geht, täglich. Um sich den Tag aus den Fußsohlen rauszulaufen, um ihn aus sich heraussickern zu lassen. Er geht zur Schule, zu seinem Job im Ein-Dollar-Laden und wieder zurück. Sein Weg führt ihn an vielen Orten vorbei, die er liebt. Es gibt aber auch Orte, zu denen ihn seine Füße nicht tragen. An der Brücke über der Fourth Street, dem Voodoo-Laden mit den hundert chinesischen Segenssprüchen und dem Haus seiner Freundin Playa kann er gerade einfach nicht vorbeigehen. Die Erinnerungen, die mit ihnen verbunden sind, sind zu schmerzhaft. Das Laufen bietet Will die notwendige Gelegenheit, um mit dem Geschehenen fertigzuwerden und auch das Backen hilft ihm bei seinem Verarbeitungsprozess. Immerzu versucht Will zu Hause das Maisbrot seines verstorbenen Vaters nachzubacken. Ob es Will noch gelingen wird, seine Probleme anzugehen, anstatt vor ihnen davonzulaufen? Wird er seinen Weg finden?

Als mein Exemplar bei mir eintraf und ich es das erste Mal aufschlug, war ich äußerst überrascht von der Innengestaltung. „Wie man eine Raumkapsel verlässt“ besitzt ausschließlich auf den rechten Seiten Text – die linken werden stets von einer Kalligrafie geziert, genauer gesagt von chinesischen Segenssprüchen. Insgesamt hundert Stück gibt es von ihnen und dementsprechend ist auch die Erzählung in hundert knappe Kapitel unterteilt. Da das Buch sehr dünn ist und nur wenig Text enthält, ist die Geschichte also ausgesprochen kurz. Damit ich hatte nicht gerechnet, muss ich sagen. Ich hatte gedacht, dass es sich bei „Wie man eine Raumkapsel verlässt“ um eine Erzählung im klassischen Stil handelt. Dass ich diesbezüglich überrascht wurde, fand ich aber überhaupt nicht schlimm. Ganz im Gegenteil, ich mag außergewöhnlich aufgemachte Bücher richtig gerne und bin immer offen für neue innovative Erzählformen.

Erwartungsvoll begann ich also mit dem Lesen… - und ich sollte nicht enttäuscht werden.
Alison McGhee ist mit „Wie man eine Raumkapsel verlässt“ in meinen Augen ein einzigartiger Jugendroman gelungen, in welchem sie auf eine kunstvolle und sensible Weise eine sehr emotionale und ernste Thematik behandelt. Die Geschichte strahlt trotz ihrer Ruhe eine große Kraft aus und obwohl sie so komprimiert und episodenhaft ist, steckt bemerkenswert viel in ihr. „Wie man eine Raumkapsel verlässt“ ist so ein Buch, das nachwirkt und im Gedächtnis bleibt. Mich zumindest hat die Erzählung sehr zum Nachdenken angeregt und ich gehe fest davon aus, dass ich sie so schnell nicht wieder vergessen werde.

Was das Buch definitiv zu etwas ganz Besonderem macht, ist die Art und Weise wie es geschrieben wurde. Die Geschichte wird versähnlich erzählt, sodass sich die kurzen Kapitel fast schon wie Gedichte lesen. Normalerweise ist das nicht so mein Ding, mit Lyrik habe ich es irgendwie nicht so, aber hier hat es mir ungemein gut gefallen. Jedermanns Sache wird dieser spezielle Erzählstil wohl nur vermutlich nicht sein und auch ich muss zugeben, dass ich mich erst an ihn gewöhnen musste. Nachdem es mir aber gelungen ist, mich komplett darauf einzulassen, hat sich das Buch einfach nur wunderschön für mich lesen lassen. Hier auch mal ein ganz großes Lob an die Übersetzerin Birgit Kollmann, die das Original ganz hervorragend ins Deutsche übertragen hat!

Geschildert wird alles ausschließlich aus der Sicht des 16-jährigen Will in der Ich-Perspektive. Mit Will hat die Autorin einen ganz besonderen Protagonisten erschaffen. Er ist ein überaus freundlicher, nachdenklicher und mitfühlender Mensch, musste in seinen jungen Leben aber leider schon viel Schweres durchmachen.
Als Leser*in erfährt man erst so nach und nach, was Will widerfahren ist und warum seine Lebenssituation gerade eine so belastende ist. Warum hat er mit dem Laufen begonnen? Aus welchen Gründen meidet er manche Orte? Wieso geht er Playa aus dem Weg? Und warum möchte er unbedingt das perfekte Maisbrot backen?
Langsam erhält man ein immer klareres Bild und erkennt, wie viel Trauer, Schmerz und Kummer in Will steckt. Der Suizid seines Vaters, die Vergewaltigung von seiner Freundin – Will muss sich gerade mit echt heftigen Dingen auseinandersetzen. Also ich habe die Darstellung seines Verarbeitungsprozesses als vollkommen realistisch empfunden. Um mit seinen Gefühlen klarzukommen, konzentriert sich Will auf das Leid anderer und versucht deren Leben besser und schöner zu machen.

Ich habe Will unheimlich liebgewonnen. Mich haben seine Versuche, andere Menschen aufzuheitern, sehr berührt und zu sehen, wie er seine Umwelt wahrnimmt, hat mich ungemein fasziniert. Und, das muss ich hier einfach noch loswerden: Wills ständiges Maisbrot-Gebacke hat mir total Appetit auf Maisbrot gemacht. Obwohl ich keine Ahnung habe wie Maisbrot schmeckt (soweit ich weiß, habe ich noch nie welches gegessen) und Wills Backexperimente zudem alle misslingen, habe ich beim Lesen irgendwie plötzlich die unbändige Lust auf Maibrot verspürt. Ich glaube, ich muss demnächst mal ein Maisbrot essen.

Fazit: Einzigartig, packend, berührend. Eine ganz besondere Geschichte, die nachhallt.
Alison McGhee hat mit „Wie man eine Raumkapsel verlässt“ einen außergewöhnlichen Roman aufs Papier gebracht, in welchem sie auf eine feinfühlige, originelle und poetische Weise schwere Themen behandelt wie Selbstmord, Missbrauch, Trauer und Verlust. Trotz seiner Kürze und Komprimiertheit vermittelt die Erzählung erstaunlich viel und obwohl sie sehr ruhig und ganz ohne Dramatik erzählt wird, reißt sie einen durchweg mit. Mich hat die Geschichte sehr bewegt und nachdenklich gestimmt und den einfühlsamen Will habe ich sofort in mein Herz geschlossen. Ich kann „Wie man eine Raumkapsel verlässt“ jedem nur ans Herz legen und vergebe 4,5 – hier gerundet auf 5 von 5 Sternen!

[gaby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading a lot of mediocre books as of late, and I don't know if it's a me problem (aka the devils spawn, aka a book slump) or if the books i'm just reading are all collectively bleh.

For my sake, let's hope its option 2.

What I Leave Behind follows the thoughts and actions of a boy named Will who's life has been thrown upside down after the suicide of his father, and now the sexual assault his best friend has suffered, something Will blames himself for. The story doesn't have a Point A to B plot, instead focusing on Will's every day actions, such as working at the dollar store, visiting the Chinese blessings, trying to make his dad's infamous cornbread to honour his memory.

To add, the book is told in 100 chapters, each lasting 100 words for a total of 10,000 words in the book, something that holds special meaning in the book and brings a unique feel to the book.

The book wasn't bad per se, but with the mix of the "no plot" thing and the "100" thing the enjoyment was a little... off. The book became really repetitive; it was go to work, make cornbread, briefly talk to "Superman", the homeless man, and sometimes talk to Playa, the aforementioned best friend. The chapters felt forced when they were constricted to only 100 pages and lost momentum when they were so short and abrupt.

Will was a cute kid and I felt a lot for him, which is something I feel is hard with the story is written. i liked reading about him and his grief and thought processes were heart-wrenching at times, but overall the book was just...meh.
----------
you want to know "what i leave behind" as i continue on the course of life?

this forgettable book :/

review to come tmrw morning bc im hecka tired

[Amelien · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wenn du ein Geher bist, ein echter Geher, dann finden deine Füße selbst den Weg.“

[Andria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me, recommending this book to a teen: "this kid Will, he kind of reminds me of you. He's a laid back guy who gets along with everyone, but he's got a LOT going on in his head that he never lets people see. He's had a rough couple of years: he's seen some stuff, man. Lots of drama with family and friends, and he deals with it all by walking and thinking. And I KNOW you don't have a lot of time to read, so you're gonna love this: it's 100 chapters! What? But wait! Each chapter has only 100 words so you can read it in a day or two! And it's written the way people really talk."

Me, recommending this book to an adult: "This is about a young man dealing with the suicide of his father and the rape of his friend, delivered in sparse, piercing, beautifully-rendered prose. It's a small book with a huge impact and a lot to think about and discuss. The format of 100 chapters with 100 words apiece is brilliant - the author, forced to conform to those strict boundaries, creates a novel that almost reads like haiku, every word is so carefully selected and crucial. And the 100 x 100 format relates to elements in the plot - this is just an all-around beautifully crafted work."

[Lisa (lifeinlit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in a very unique style, What I Leave Behind was a very quick read. It was emotional, heartbreaking, yet hopeful. A very powerful read. A hundred chapters with a hundred words each. It’s definitely worth a read.

[ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay, but I think I’ve just overgrown this book. It’s clearly intended for a younger audience so the language felt really...juvenile sometimes, you know?

[Connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think what this novel went for was interesting. 100 chapters with 100 words in each chapter, but with that restriction, it severely limits what can be explored sufficiently. I don't think there was nearly enough time given to any of the subjects addressed in this book. The main character is depressed. His dad died by suicide, so he's trying to maintain some connection to him. His friend was raped by three people at a party. So with all of that, there wasn't even enough time to flesh out any characters. He doesn't even leave that many gifts to help people around him.

Additionally, the writing style just didn't jibe with me. It felt like this was a creative writing exercise that was then actually sold. That sounds way harsh, but this story really would have benefited from limiting the number of topics tackled or giving each one enough words to be explored.

[Lindsay♫SingerOfStories♫ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I Leave Behind is a sweet, heart-wrenching book about a young man named Will who has lost his father to suicide. Going through daily life working at the Dollar Only store, he copes with his pain by being compassionate to those around him, including his kooky boss Major Tom, Superman (the homeless man on the street corner who eats Will's failed attempts at home made corn bread), Playa (Will's best friend who is sexually assaulted), and the little boy down the street who loves butterflies. The book is basically a repeating cycle of Will walking, walking, walking (he only walks--no cars, bikes, etc. since his father's passing) past the Blessings Store, over the Fourth Street Bridge, through his friends' neighborhoods, to work at the Dollar Only Store, and back home again. The end.

The book is formatted uniquely in that there are 100 chapters, each with 100 words. As a result, I found it to be an extremely quick and simple read....almost too much so. The book felt a bit choppy to me because it was constricted to the 100 word limits. But still, Will is one of the greatest guys on the planet. If everyone treated the people around them with this much thought and care, the world would be a better place. Honestly however, the book was repetitious and, as I said, choppy, but the overall concept was worthwhile.

[Bri 🍒 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written with admirable characters. This story was far too short but encompassed a strong message with raw and relatable emotions. I loved the style of the “chapters” and the incorporation of what I assume is the Chinese numbers or blessings on the opposite pages. I adored the David Bowie flair and song references throughout.

As a Child & Youth Worker in the school system I believe this book would be a great resource for any youth who has experienced trauma and are working through it. (Ages 14+).

Will likely read it again and recommend it to others.

*I received this ARC as part of a Goodreads Giveaway*

[luciana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars

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it was more superficial than anything else but what can you expect from a 10k novella?

[Gary Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will walks. He walks after work, and he walks home, and he walks to school. Will has a lot on his mind. He has two tragedies in his life, and he walks and thinks. Alison McGhee’s What I Leave Behind is one hundred of Will’s thoughts. A quick read, this book captures what it’s like to search for answers and meanings among jumbled thoughts. Themes here include suicide and sexual assault, and the brief back matter offers guidance for young readers struggling with similar conflicts.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in 30 mins! So short yet so very beautiful and touching. Sad, yet hopeful. It is def worth a read!

[Fanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

This is one of those reads that make you think a lot after you’ve actually read the book.

What I Leave Behind is a contemporary that revolves around Will, a young adult. He works at a Dollar store and tries to attempt his father’s special cornbread recipe every Tuesday when his mother works overnight. The above two is the most he does to his routine because everything else is spontaneous even though unintentional. If you would ask me to summarize this book, I somehow can’t. Not because it’s too complex or because I’m not interested enough to talk about this novelette in just a few words. I mean, the author wrote the entire story in just 10,000 words; why can’t I speak about it in a few?

The fact is, What I Leave Behind is a mix of realistic and literary fiction, for me at least. It’s constructed in a way that makes Will seem like anybody else amongst the crowds of today but it’s told in a way that makes Will seem like an individual, unique to his own story and feelings. Both realistic and literary fiction make it on my favorites list, and this book gives me more reasons to say so. While the story’s contemporary world weaves issues like rape and suicide into Will’s life, the writing makes one discover the plot through a maze of absolutely-normal-simplified words. Basically, it has a plot of realism and character of writing.

Will is unknowingly ridden with guilt and questions that he somehow can never answer. He’s going through the loss of his father and his friend got raped, and while he tries to ‘walk off’ things, he can’t just forget about stuff. Yes, for the few times he does stop thinking about these, it’s because he’s trying hard to be kind, courageous, and just helpful. He loves when his boss at the Dollar store smiles genuinely, or when the little kid is amazed with the punctual butterflies, or when the homeless man gobbles over his failed attempt at cornbread.

I know, all this must be sounding absolutely absurd and not something that sounds like a well crafted plot, but it is. Trust me. One thing I would specifically advise is to not read the blurb (which is why I didn’t paste it here either) because it gives away literally everything that can surprise you or get you to wait for what’s next. Don’t read the blurb and seriously, Will will let you know his thoughts-cum-story in a first person point-of-view.

The only thing that cost half a star is the ending. I’m a lover of closures unless it’s a series (I’ve no idea if this will have a sequel or not, I don’t think so) so while the entire journey was great, I felt like the last period was placed just for the sake of making it look like a well-thought of open ending but in reality it just left me wanting more and not in a good way. However, the ninety nine chapters easily take over the last one.

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this via my participation in a promotional blog tour but that in no way influences my rating and/or opinions about it. Thank you Fantastic Flying Book Club, Edelweiss, and Alison McGhee!

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[Salivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

کوتاه و بوسیدنی :`)

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this review and more on my blog.Read this review and more on my blog.The Book Return Blog
Will’s dad commits suicide. His childhood friend, Playa, is raped at a party. His mom works long over-night shifts as a nurse. Will then decides to take the negatives in his life and turn them into something completely wonderful.

Will’s father’s death helps him realize that everyone needs positive acknowledgement. He also realizes that sometimes it’s the little things that can make a difference. He gives small gifts and kind words to those around him ( his lonely boss, his friend Playa, a neglected little boy, an abused neighborhood dog).

OMG……This book is powerful, and wonderful, and heart wrenching ! ‘What I Leave Behind’, is a prime example of, “less is more.” There are so many books out there that are just way too long for what they are trying to say (read ‘The Goldfinch’). McGhee delivers a strong and pointed message with just one hundred chapters with one hundred words each. With this she demonstrates that you don’t need a mega size book to deliver a powerful punch.

I really loved that symbolism played such an important part in the novel. From the way that butterflies that ‘little dude’ watches everyday to Will’s quest to recreate his dad’s cornbread recipe. Small things give clues to the interworking of the character’s mindset.

Will’s compassion and kindness ripped my heart out. In ‘What I Leave Behind, ‘Will really is aware of the pain of those around him and attempts to right it anyway he can. In today’s world of cyber bullying and senseless violence, a kind word and a positive attitude can go along way. The title, ‘What I Leave Behind’, really summarizes that what you want to leave the world when you are gone should shape the way you lead your life today.

‘What I Leave Behind’, is a super quick read with just 1000 words (just about 3x the length of this review). Read it now. You won’t regret it.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is going to be a fantastic resource to have in my collection for reluctant readers.

This book is told in 100 chapters of 100 words each. The chapters are tight and intentional and strikingly filled with story, detail, and emotion. Reading it, I almost felt like I was reading verse even though it's prose ... like it's the cool cousin that doesn't visit often stuck somewhere in the middle of the two that you just want to hang out with more at a family party before your parents decide they are too tired and want to go home (strange comparison, I know ...).

Bonus ... a story with a male protagonist that deals with some really difficult stuff (a suicide and a totally off stage gang rape) BUT THE MAIN CHARACTER ISN'T DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN EITHER. These difficult things are happening to individuals around him and he's trying to cope and work through guilt and grief while NOT being a perpetrator in the attack or the one making choices about his life ... he's simply caught in the ripple of these things happening to others within his personal universe.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

100 words to a page; 100 pages to the book.
True.
So the formatting is a silent, yet genius springboard from which the story springs.
The main character Will is a thoughtful, kind sort who is also a walker.
"Sometimes you go to walk the day out of you."
He takes to walking after a death in his family, even though some places are difficult to walk by, his best friend Playa's house, the Blessings store, and the Fourth Street Bridge.
He does however, meet the little butterfly guy, Superman the homeless fellow, and as he works through his worries, walks by the places that have been hard to face as well.
A well-crafted story by Alison McGhee.

[willow 🌙🐈‍⬛ · Rating 5 out of 5]

that was so so sad but so so beautiful

[Snow]

A ghost girl and a ghost boy walking through the dark, earth below and stars above, not letting the bastards get us down.

Trying to walk away all your problems and thoughts in your head...
The book is so visually beautiful, from the cover to the numbering calligraphy (this works better when you actually understand the numbers) and interesting format, it stands out from the numerous YA novels on the library shelf. Because of the book's formatting, it is pretty fast paced and at times it feels exactly like what would be going on in a troubled teenager's head (my head sounds like this most of the time too). I like how it centers around the few things in Will's life; Major Tom from Dollar Only, the bond he has with the "little butterfly dude", the dog of insanity, Superman who sits against the wall, the hundred Chinese blessings, his father's cornbread, and his friendship with Playa. I like the acts of kindness Will does and how he is constantly trying to understand. Playing David Bowie's Space Oddity while reading this also gives it such a melancholy feel, as if it's not already. Overall, this was a beautiful book, and although short, it deals with some pretty serious themes.

[Jovana Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely book.

It delivers what the synopsis says in such a simple and yet impactful way.

Discussing serious topics such as suicide and sexual assault and dealing with them — it is very realistic in describing the topics.

Hope is also a big part of the book:

A long time ago, a father used to wear a Bowie T-shirt. He used to make cornbread. He used to tell his kid secrets, like melt the butter, like only use cast iron. He used to sing Bowie songs while he worked. He sang about Major Tom and ground control, about sitting in a tin can far above the world, how Planet Earth was blue and there was nothing he could do. He used to tell his kid that music was the refuge of the lonely, and to carry on, that blessings are everywhere you look, even in the dark.

Definitely would recommend, this book is one of those pleasant surprises of 2019 and a nice way to end the year, 5/5.

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novel received courtesy of Goodreads.com First Reads Giveaways

This is such a timely novel. Written in short paragraphs on every other page with a Chinese symbol on the facing pages, it's easily readable in an hour. It is, however, simply unforgettable. As a teacher who has watched the trauma our teens have faced over the last couple of years, I found this book to be hopeful.

Will works at the Dollar Only store, worries about his friend Playa, meets and cares for people in his neighborhood and he walks. He walks and walks and walks. Because for Will, the only way through the trauma that has occurred in his life is to walk it out and feel it from the bottom of his soles. I certainly felt this book to the bottom of my soul.