BKMT READING GUIDES
Leave Me: A Novel
by Gayle Forman
Published: 2016-09-06
Hardcover : 352 pages
Hardcover : 352 pages
10 members reading this now
12 clubs reading this now
1 member has read this book
12 clubs reading this now
1 member has read this book
A #1 September LibraryReads Selection
A September Indie Next Pick
An Amazon Best Book of the Month
A People Pick
Every woman who has ever fantasized about driving past her exit on the highway instead of going home to make dinner, and every woman who has ever dreamed of boarding a train to ...
A September Indie Next Pick
An Amazon Best Book of the Month
A People Pick
Every woman who has ever fantasized about driving past her exit on the highway instead of going home to make dinner, and every woman who has ever dreamed of boarding a train to ...
No other editions available.
Jump to
Introduction
A #1 September LibraryReads Selection
A September Indie Next Pick
An Amazon Best Book of the Month
A People Pick
Every woman who has ever fantasized about driving past her exit on the highway instead of going home to make dinner, and every woman who has ever dreamed of boarding a train to a place where no one needs constant attention--meet Maribeth Klein. A harried working mother who’s so busy taking care of her husband and twins, she doesn’t even realize she’s had a heart attack.
Surprised to discover that her recuperation seems to be an imposition on those who rely on her, Maribeth does the unthinkable: she packs a bag and leaves. But, as is often the case, once we get where we’re going we see our lives from a different perspective. Far from the demands of family and career and with the help of liberating new friendships, Maribeth is able to own up to secrets she has been keeping from herself and those she loves.
With bighearted characters--husbands, wives, friends, and lovers--who stumble and trip, grow and forgive, Leave Me is about facing the fears we’re all running from. Gayle Forman is a dazzling observer of human nature. She has written an irresistible novel that confronts the ambivalence of modern motherhood head on and asks, what happens when a grown woman runs away from home?
A September Indie Next Pick
An Amazon Best Book of the Month
A People Pick
Every woman who has ever fantasized about driving past her exit on the highway instead of going home to make dinner, and every woman who has ever dreamed of boarding a train to a place where no one needs constant attention--meet Maribeth Klein. A harried working mother who’s so busy taking care of her husband and twins, she doesn’t even realize she’s had a heart attack.
Surprised to discover that her recuperation seems to be an imposition on those who rely on her, Maribeth does the unthinkable: she packs a bag and leaves. But, as is often the case, once we get where we’re going we see our lives from a different perspective. Far from the demands of family and career and with the help of liberating new friendships, Maribeth is able to own up to secrets she has been keeping from herself and those she loves.
With bighearted characters--husbands, wives, friends, and lovers--who stumble and trip, grow and forgive, Leave Me is about facing the fears we’re all running from. Gayle Forman is a dazzling observer of human nature. She has written an irresistible novel that confronts the ambivalence of modern motherhood head on and asks, what happens when a grown woman runs away from home?
Excerpt
It had been surprisingly easy.Maribeth had walked downstairs and hailed a cab, carrying only a hastily packed duffel bag with a few changes of clothing and her medications. She’d left her cell phone, her computer — pretty much everything else — at home. None of that felt necessary anymore. She had e-mailed Jason. An apology? An explanation? She wasn’t sure. By the time she was in the cab, the details of her note had already begun to fade. ...
view entire excerpt...
Discussion Questions
What factors contribute to Maribeth’s decision to leave her family? How would you characterize this act? How might putting herself first be the right thing to do for her family in the long run? What would you have considered in making that decision?Does Maribeth know how to ask for help – or how to accept it? Do you think of asking for help as a sign of weakness? A sign of strength? How might men and women approach this issue differently?
The friends Maribeth meets in Pittsburgh mirror the family she left behind (twins, spouse, mother). Is this intentional? What does she get out of this “new” family?
How would you characterize Maribeth’s relationship with Dr. Grant? Why are they drawn together? How do they help each other?
How do Maribeth’s swimming lessons relate to her recovery? What does she learn about vulnerability or about her own competence? What personal challenges – either physical or emotional -- does swimming help her face?
How do Maribeth’s discoveries in Pittsburgh reframe her feelings toward Jason and Elizabeth? Toward her children?
When Maribeth learns details about her birth mother, how do her feelings about herself change? What do you think she had been hiding from herself?
Like many women and mothers, Maribeth made lists and detailed plans in the hopes of keeping her busy life from spinning out of control. What do you think she lost by being so structured? What do you think she learns by giving up control?
Do you think Maribeth will be able to incorporate a new attitude in her work, her friendships, and her relationship with her husband and children? How do you think people learn to break patterns in relationships?
Book Club Recommendations
Recommended to book clubs by 2 of 2 members.
MEMBER LOGIN
BECOME A MEMBER it's free
Now serving over 80,000 book clubs & ready to welcome yours. Join us and get the Top Book Club Picks of 2022 (so far).
SEARCH OUR READING GUIDES
Search
FEATURED EVENTS
PAST AUTHOR CHATS
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Get free weekly updates on top club picks, book giveaways, author events and more
Get free weekly updates on top club picks, book giveaways, author events and more
Please wait...
