Book Review | LEAVE ME by Gayle Forman

September 6, 2016
Algonquin Books

I highly recommend LEAVE ME.

Maribeth Klein is a 44-year old juggling between being a magazine editor, a wife, and a mother to her 4-year old twins. It took her an unscheduled trip to the ER to realize that she’s having a heart attack, followed by an emergency bypass surgery.

After spending a week at the hospital, coming home did nothing better for Maribeth. In spite of her mother flying over from Florida, Maribeth is still expected to worry about everything at home and the kids. The whole ordeal took a toll on her, making her feel miserable and unappreciated. Where is everybody when she’s the one needing help?

One morning, she decided to pack a bag and took off to Pittsburgh. It seems childish to think of nothing else but one’s self all of a sudden, without a plan, and acting as if it doesn’t hurt at all. But then, new people came into her life and new things start happening.

It’s really not that hard to associate with Maribeth, especially if you’re a working mother as well. Being forty-four myself and (also) living with a heart condition, I sure did. Sometimes, it is depressing when there’s no one validating all your efforts or recognizing how exhaustion is taking its toll on you. Most of us may not pack a bag and actually leave, but, of course, the thought did cross our minds on occasions. What made Maribeth a lot braver is that she actually packed and left. It’s not that she doesn’t love her family anymore or that she has given up. It’s all about recognizing the need to put herself together again and that she will not be able to do it in her chaotic home, at present.

"If you want to get better,

really better,

well, you're going to have to do that for yourself."

LEAVE ME gave a well-expressed voice to all the working mothers (and wives) calling for validation and equal cuddling. And sometimes, it’s true that being left alone gives more room to move around and have a better point of view.

Make sure to grab a copy when Leave Me hit the stores.

Book details:

Title: Leave Me

Author:  Gayle Forman

Publication: September 6, 2016; Algonquin Books

Genre: Women's Fiction

Rating: ★★★★★

*Thank you Random House for the DRC.