What I Leave Behind

Starred review from March 26, 2018
In this spare, emotionally raw novella, the deeply thoughtful 16-year-old narrator, Will, vainly tries to recreate his father’s cornbread recipe, and he walks through L.A. neighborhoods while his mom works overnight at the hospital. In finely honed chapters, each introduced by a Chinese character, McGhee (Never Coming Back) crafts a slim cast of strongly sketched individuals, including Will’s socially awkward boss at the Dollar Only store, his childhood friend Playa, and Mrs. Lin, who operates a Chinese blessings store. The narrative gradually reveals the troubles Will seeks to walk off. “Sometimes the right route is the route not past other places, places you maybe love but can’t walk by right now. Like Playa’s house. Like the blessings store. Like the river bridge over Fourth Street.” McGhee skillfully evokes sense memory, as Will attempts to find solace in his nighttime wanderings. Ultimately, the piercing narrative offers an affirmation of remaining connected to others through loss as Will embraces his relationships and begins to heal. Ages 14–up. Agent: Sara Crowe, Pippin Properties.

One hundred chapters of 100 words each. The central structure of Alison McGhee's book may be lost on listeners, but it is compensated for by Michael Crouch's honest, gentle rendering of 16-year-old Will, who is trying to make sense of his father's suicide. Will spends his free time attempting to replicate his father's "famous" cornbread and walking around town. On his walks he helps people in need of comfort by leaving small gifts, purchased at the dollar store where he works. Crouch perfectly connects to Will's emotional turmoil at the loss of his father, suggesting Will's mood through an understated pitch and an unhurried cadence that keep this sorrowful story from slipping into sentimentality. It's a difficult job that Crouch manages with superb skill. S.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine