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A review by normandie77
The Leavers by Lisa Ko
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Intriguing story of a Chinese American boy who's mom returns to China under vague circumstances and he is adopted by a white American family.
My heart broke for this young boy who was expected to give up his Chinese identity, name, language, and food and assimilate into a different culture. Watching him struggle with feelings of abandonment, racism, people-pleasing behaviors, and apathy was so sad. As he learns the circumstances under which his mother left and returned to China he comes to forgive her. Through it all, he realizes he can't live for his adoptive parents or his mother but must carve out a life of his own.
My heart broke for this young boy who was expected to give up his Chinese identity, name, language, and food and assimilate into a different culture. Watching him struggle with feelings of abandonment, racism, people-pleasing behaviors, and apathy was so sad. As he learns the circumstances under which his mother left and returned to China he comes to forgive her. Through it all, he realizes he can't live for his adoptive parents or his mother but must carve out a life of his own.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Forced institutionalization