Leftovers

Leftovers

By: Laura Wiess

A devastating novel of desperation and revenge from one of today's most compelling new voices in fiction. In this follow-up to her heartbreaking debut, Such a Pretty Girl, Laura Wiess once again spins a shattering tale of the tragedies that befall young women who are considered society's Leftovers.

Blair and Ardith are best friends who have committed an unforgivable act in the name of love and justice. But in order to understand what could drive two young women to such extreme measures, first you'll have to understand why. You'll have to listen as they describe parents who are alternately absent and smothering, classmates who mock and shun anyone different, and young men who are allowed to hurt and dominate without consequence.

You will have to learn what it's like to be a teenage girl who locks her bedroom door at night, who has been written off by the adults around her as damaged goods. A girl who has no one to trust except the one person she's forbidden to see. You'll have to understand what it's really like to be forgotten and abandoned in America today.

Are you ready?

summary back of book

My Rating: 4/5

This is the second novel that I have read by Laura Wiess and I have to say that I really applaud her for never holding back. She is not afraid to confront subjects or to include content that may be difficult for some to read or consider. I really appreciate the honesty. I also find that Wiess' books stand out very much and I think it's because they are so unique and different from anything else I've ever read.

Leftovers at its core is about the friendship between Ardith and Blair and the lengths they will take in order to ensure it. Both girls come from families that are far from ideal and both find solace in each other as a result. This story alternates between the perspective of Blair and Ardith as they tell their story. There are also testimony chapters where the two girls are confessing of the events that occurred and what lead up to the inevitable.

Just by the way this story is narrated - alternating back and forth, the characters giving you small tiny clues as they go along - you can't help but be drawn into this novel. You desperatly want to know what happened and the foreshadowing of the past only draws you further into the story, causing overt curiosity the further you read on.