By Book Club Team 
Leave the World Behind is an excellent choice for a book club! It’s packed with themes and moments that ignite thoughtful discussion, making it ideal for a group setting. The novel explores the dynamics of race, privilege, and class through the tense interactions between two families—a white, middle-class family on vacation and the Black homeowners who unexpectedly return during a mysterious blackout.
The book’s suspenseful, almost dystopian atmosphere keeps readers hooked, while its open-ended questions about trust, human connection, and societal collapse offer plenty to unpack in a group conversation. Its ambiguity invites multiple interpretations, and the characters’ differing perspectives make it easy for readers to debate their motivations and choices.
If your book club enjoys novels that are both gripping and intellectually stimulating, with a touch of psychological and social drama, this one’s a winner. Plus, the recent Netflix adaptation could add a fun layer of comparison if your group loves diving into book-to-film discussions!
20 Leave the World Behind Book Club Questions
Here are 20 thought-provoking book club questions for Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam:
- Initial Impressions: What were your first thoughts on the dynamic between Amanda and Clay versus G.H. and Ruth? Did it evolve as the story progressed?
- Setting: How did the isolation of the luxurious house contribute to the tension and mood of the story?
- Race and Class: How do the racial and class differences between the two families influence their interactions?
- Amanda and Clay: Did you find Amanda and Clay’s reactions to G.H. and Ruth realistic or biased?
- G.H. and Ruth: What were your impressions of G.H. and Ruth’s decision to return to the house? Were their actions justified?
- Teenagers: How do Archie and Rose’s perspectives differ from the adults’? Do their reactions feel more or less rational?
- Trust: Who did you trust more as a narrator of events, and why?
- Mystery: What did you make of the blackout and the strange phenomena, like the sonic boom and the flamingos?
- Communication: How does the loss of technology and communication affect the characters?
- Fear: How does the book explore fear, both individual and collective?
- The Unknown: Did the lack of clear answers about the blackout enhance or detract from the story for you?
- Morality: How do the characters’ moral compasses shift in the face of uncertainty?
- Parenting: How do Amanda and Clay’s parenting styles come into play in a crisis?
- Symbolism: What do you think the house itself symbolizes in the story?
- Tension: What techniques does Alam use to build tension throughout the novel?
- Cultural References: How does Alam use modern references to ground the novel in realism?
- Themes: Which theme stood out the most to you—race, class, technology, or something else?
- Ending: How did you feel about the ambiguous ending? Did it leave you satisfied, or were you hoping for more closure?
- The Title: How does Leave the World Behind reflect the story? What does the phrase mean to you in this context?
- Relevance: How does the novel reflect societal fears and tensions today? Could you see yourself reacting like any of the characters?
These questions should spark a lively discussion and help everyone explore the book’s layers in depth!
Leave the World Behind: Discussion Topics
Here are some engaging discussion topics for Leave the World Behind that can fuel a lively book club conversation:
1. Themes of Privilege and Prejudice
- How do race and class impact the dynamics between Amanda and Clay and G.H. and Ruth?
- Are there moments where the characters’ biases subtly or overtly shape their actions?
2. The Role of Technology
- How does the novel explore our dependence on technology for security and information?
- What changes in the characters’ behavior when technology is no longer accessible?
3. Trust and Assumptions
- What role does trust play between the two families?
- Are the initial assumptions each family makes about the other justified or problematic?
4. The Power of Ambiguity
- The novel leaves many questions unanswered. How does this ambiguity affect your reading experience?
- Does the lack of resolution enhance the story’s realism, or is it frustrating?
5. Psychological Tension
- How does Alam build a sense of dread and suspense throughout the novel?
- Did you feel more drawn to the psychological drama or the speculative elements?
6. Family Dynamics
- How do Amanda and Clay’s decisions reflect their roles as parents?
- How do Archie and Rose react differently to the unfolding crisis compared to the adults?
7. The House as a Symbol
- What does the luxurious, remote house represent?
- How does its isolation contribute to the themes of vulnerability and privilege?
8. The Role of Nature
- What do the strange occurrences in nature—like the flamingos and the sonic boom—symbolize in the story?
- How does Alam use nature to convey both beauty and menace?
9. Crisis Behavior
- How do the characters respond to the crisis?
- Which reactions did you find realistic or surprising, and why?
10. Societal Reflection
- How does the book mirror societal fears about collapse and survival?
- Are the events in the novel believable as a commentary on modern society?
11. The Title’s Meaning
- What does the phrase Leave the World Behind suggest about the characters’ journey?
- How does the title reflect the themes of disconnection and reliance on societal structures?
12. The Ending
- How did the ambiguous ending leave you feeling?
- What do you think happens to the characters after the story ends?
13. Connection to Reality
- How does the novel reflect current societal issues like climate change, racial tension, or technology dependence?
- Could a situation like this happen in real life? Why or why not?
14. Dual Perspectives
- How does the dual perspective of the two families add depth to the narrative?
- Did you sympathize with one family more than the other? Why?
15. The Netflix Adaptation
- If your group is familiar with the film, how does the adaptation compare to the book?
- Were there any changes in the film that enhanced or detracted from the original story?
These topics offer a mix of thematic, character-driven, and speculative angles to explore the book’s complexity and resonance!
Netflix adaptation of Leave the World Behind
The Netflix adaptation of Leave the World Behind (2023), directed by Sam Esmail, brings Rumaan Alam’s novel to life with a stellar cast, including Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, and Kevin Bacon. The film retains the book’s central themes of suspense, societal tension, and ambiguity while adding cinematic flair. Reviews suggest that it captures the novel’s eerie atmosphere and explores its complex character dynamics, though opinions on its handling of the book’s open-ended narrative are mixed. It’s a thought-provoking watch, especially for fans of the novel!