72 pages 2 hours read

Lisa Ko

The Leavers

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Leavers by Lisa Ko explores Deming Guo's, later Daniel Wilkinson’s, journey to reconcile with his birth mother, Polly Guo, after she vanishes. Adopted by a white couple, Daniel struggles with his identity and displacement, ultimately uncovering Polly’s challenges as an undocumented immigrant. The novel delves into themes of social injustice, immigration, and their impacts on individual lives. The story contains situations involving immigration detention, deportation, and family separation.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Lisa Ko's The Leavers is lauded for its poignant storytelling and multifaceted characters, vividly portraying the immigrant experience and identity struggles. Critics commend Ko's insightful narrative and emotional depth. However, some note a sluggish pace and underdeveloped secondary plotlines. Overall, it’s celebrated for its thought-provoking themes and compelling prose.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Leavers?

Readers who appreciate The Leavers by Lisa Ko are often drawn to complex, character-driven narratives exploring cultural identity, family dynamics, and immigrant experiences, similar to The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

870L

Book Details

Themes

Values/Ideas: Music

Genre

Chinese Literature

Asian Literature

Modern Classic Fiction

Period

Asian Literature

Topics

Parenting