A haunting story about saying goodbye – showing that even freedom may have its cost after all
Leaving has always come naturally to Eva Elliott: the daughter of a pilot, she spent her childhood abandoning schools and cities. Now an adult, she enjoys the thrill of saying goodbye much more than the butterflies of a first smile or kiss. There’s so much more potential in walking away, and Eva has always had a dangerously vivid imagination.
During a rainy summer in Soho, when a golden eagle escapes London Zoo to prowl the city and a beguiling stranger begins appearing around town armed with a conspiratorial smile and a secret, Eva discovers that endings just aren’t as easy as they used to be. Is it a flirtation playing out amongst the crumbling offices, clubs and alleys of Soho, or something much darker? The line blurs in this haunting story about exits and departures… (via Alma Books)
Leaving has always come naturally to Eva Elliott: the daughter of a pilot, she spent her childhood abandoning schools and cities. Now an adult, she enjoys the thrill of saying goodbye much more than the butterflies of a first smile or kiss. There’s so much more potential in walking away, and Eva has always had a dangerously vivid imagination.
During a rainy summer in Soho, when a golden eagle escapes London Zoo to prowl the city and a beguiling stranger begins appearing around town armed with a conspiratorial smile and a secret, Eva discovers that endings just aren’t as easy as they used to be. Is it a flirtation playing out amongst the crumbling offices, clubs and alleys of Soho, or something much darker? The line blurs in this haunting story about exits and departures… (via Alma Books)
There is no questioning Anna Stothard's ability to create vivid, hypnotic descriptions. The Art of Leaving has a very cinematic tone (which, considering that Stothard studied at the American Film Institute, isn't surprising), and I enjoyed the ways in which different parts of the world are illustrated. This is done in a very unique and prolific way, and the locations prove to be a very intricate part of the plot.
Although the narrative of the story is told with established warmth and skill, I don't have much praise for the story's lead character, Eva. She is very anti-social, numb, and goes through life in a daze. It is important to note, though, that these aspects of her character are very important to the story – I got the impression that you're supposed to feel these things about her. The fact that she isn't a very grounded character prompts her continued desire to leave people, and places, behind.
Even so, I would have preferred The Art of Leaving if Eva was more likable, and if the plot were more apparent (I struggled to see where it was going at times). It was the mesmerising elements of Stothard's use of language which propelled me to read on.
I would recommend The Art of Leaving to readers who don't mind a loose, offbeat plot, and picturesque narratives.
Rating: 3 / 5
