'The Leavers' is about a mother-son duo who are Chinese migrants in America. The book traces the journey of the mother Polly (Peilan) Guo and her son Daniel (Deming Guo) Wilkinson.
The story is told in first person, at times as Polly and the rest as Daniel. The author does a stellar job when narrating as Polly, but there is a disconnect when in the garb of Daniel.
Polly is an illegal immigrant in New York whose son is born in America and is thus an American citizen. It depicts the struggle of being an immigrant, both legal as well as illegal, the dreams that people are sold in their native countries and how life just doesn't go to plan. It dwells upon the mother-son relationship and how the bond of blood stays intact.
The book has a heartrending story which will move the reader and keep the reader riveted. There are times when you would want to put the book down and contemplate life, even if you have nothing in common with the protagonist.
The writing style is interesting. There are times when the author goes into unnecessary detail which breaks the flow for the reader and at other times breezes past leaving the reader gasping for air and details! There are also sections in the book which feel a touch unpolished. As if the editor didn't do a great job.
Recommended for most people with a heart! The book is about people and their emotions, which is why you connect to it, even if you aren't a Chinese immigrant in America or anything remotely similar!