The Leftovers

The Leftovers (2011) by Tom Perrotta. On October 14th in an unspecified year, the Sudden Departure occurred. Some referred to it as the Rapture, but that didn't make sense, since millions and millions of people from all over the world disappeared at the same time. What this book is about, however, is not the people who left, but those who are left behind. How do they cope with the loss of mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, whole families? Some just try to carry on and make the best of what's left of their lives. Others join strange groups like the Guilty Remnant, who wear white robes, keep a vow of silence and must smoke cigarettes at all times. It's a weird world Perrotta has created, and I suppose it's all right as speculative fiction. But I really felt that some of the ways people reacted to the Sudden Departure weren't true to life. They wouldn't happen that way. Not very bloody likely. Still, an interesting book. Grade: B