LEAVING PARADISE by Simone Elkeles
Published by Flux
Pub Date: April 8, 2007
Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares—has been canceled.
After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers.
Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as “criminal” and “freak.” Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.
Simone Elkeles writes some fascinating characters, and this book is no exception. The characters in LEAVING PARADISE have depth. Emotions run high, and the story draws you in. I appreciate the surprises and contrasts of this novel. It’s easy to compare an author’s work, especially in the same genre. Don’t. This is an amazing book to be read with a fresh eye. Don’t compare it to her other works, as I’ve seen in other reviews, which have said it’s not as good as… Instead read this as a stand-alone novel (until the sequel comes out). I am certain you’ll appreciate it on so many different levels. LEAVING PARADISE is an emotional, fast, great read.
I highly recommend reading the sequel, FINDING PARADISE, too! I loved it. A very satisfying end to these books! Love Simone!!!
About Simone Elkeles:
