Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke are starring in a film based on the novel Leave the World Behind, first published in 2020. I saw them being interviewed on a morning talk show, and it piqued my interest. When I requested the book from the library, it was readily available. I guess word hasn’t gotten out yet.
It was a quick read, only 300 pages in the Large Print Edition, and it moved fast enough that I could read it in two days. I eagerly wanted to see what was going to happen next.
The novel is the story of a couple and their two teen children, embarking on a week-long vacation on the rural tip of Long Island. They used AirBnB (or was it VRBO? Not sure) to book a luxurious home as far as they could get from NYC. The parents are a little quirky and self-absorbed, but generally, they qualify as good people.
They are just settling into the home when a knock at the door startles them. Who knows if they are there? Who could be knocking? Strangely, the folks at the door claim to be the owners of the house. They tell the parents that there has been a blackout in the city, the street lights as well as the traffic lights are not working, and it’s turning into chaos. They live 14 stories up, in a high-rise in Manhattan. The elevator, of course, is out. They ask to be able to stay in the mother-in-law’s apartment downstairs and offer to pay the vacationing family $1000. But please, can they stay?
The wife, Ruth, explains, “I know it’s a surprise, but this is our house. We wanted to be in our house. Safe. While we figured out what’s going on out there. “
The power is still on in the rental, and Amanda and Clay are wary. Soon they realize they have no phone service, followed by the Internet crashing. They reluctantly allow the newcomers, Ruth and G. H., to stay in the basement apartment.
What follows is a series of frightening occurrences, and I’m not giving anything away. Bizarre, creepy, gross, awesome, and terrifying are the adjectives that come to mind.
I’m not a big fan of thrillers, but this book was a great read because it kept me in suspense. How do we survive without the things we take for granted? Is anywhere safe? Who can we trust?
As the book storms its way to a conclusion, one can’t help but be affected. Could this scenario really play out as written? Frighteningly, I conclude that yes, it certainly could.
Recipe for Mexican Wedding Cakes
Mexican wedding cakes, also known as Russian tea cakes, are actually cookies that are light, buttery, and ball-shaped. They are traditionally coated with confectioner’s sugar, and they contain chopped nuts.
I chose this recipe as an accompaniment for this novel, as a nod to the Hispanic family that helped to maintain the Long Island rental home in this novel.
Recipe
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus more for finishing
- 2 cups finely chopped walnuts
Directions:
Makes about 3 ½ dozen.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray the cookie sheet with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper.
- Cream butter within a large bowl. Mix in vanilla, then gradually mix in flour and confectioners’ sugar. Mix in walnuts. Roll dough into small balls, a little smaller than a golf ball.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely, about 30 minutes.
- Roll cooled cookies in additional confectioners’ sugar.
Did you like the book? The food? I’d love to know! Please leave a comment.
Thank you.
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I wanted to thank you for this very good read!!
I absolutely loved every little bit of it.
I have got you bookmarked to check out new things you
Thank you so much for your sweet comment.