The Leftovers

By: Tom Perrotta

Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

With heart, intelligence and a rare ability to illuminate the struggles inherent in ordinary lives, Tom Perrotta's The Leftovers—now adapted into an HBO series—is a startling, thought-provoking novel about love, connection and loss.

What if—whoosh, right now, with no explanation—a number of us simply vanished? Would some of us collapse? Would others of us go on, one foot in front of the other, as we did before the world turned upside down?

That's what the bewildered citizens of Mapleton, who lost many of their neighbors, friends and lovers in the event known as the Sudden Departure, have to figure out. Because nothing has been the same since it happened—not marriages, not friendships, not even the relationships between parents and children.

Kevin Garvey, Mapleton's new mayor, wants to speed up the healing process, to bring a sense of renewed hope and purpose to his traumatized community. Kevin's own family has fallen apart in the wake of the disaster: his wife, Laurie, has left to join the Guilty Remnant, a homegrown cult whose members take a vow of silence; his son, Tom, is gone, too, dropping out of college to follow a sketchy prophet named Holy Wayne. Only Kevin's teenaged daughter, Jill, remains, and she's definitely not the sweet "A" student she used to be. Kevin wants to help her, but he's distracted by his growing relationship with Nora Durst, a woman who lost her entire family on October 14th and is still reeling from the tragedy, even as she struggles to move beyond it and make a new start.

A New York Times Notable Book for 2011
A Washington Post Notable Fiction Book for 2011
A USA Today 10 Books We Loved Reading in 2011 Title
One of NPR's 10 Best Novels of 2011

©2011 St. Martin's Press (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Dennis Boutsikaris executes this production with a matter-of-fact tone that works to emphasize the surrealism that permeates Perrotta's novel…Boutsikaris does well providing a straight vocal rendering of the details of Perrotta's world while amply delivering emotional resonance and energy when portraying the characters' states of mind. He keeps his voices and tones straight despite the shifting of perspective from chapter to chapter.” —AudioFile Magazine

“Dennis Boutsikaris is the ideal audio jack-of-all trades for Perrotta's darkly comic novel of American life after the rapture. Boutsikaris captures the tender longing of Perrotta's prose as it harks back to a lost happiness now entirely destroyed by the unexplained disappearance of millions of people, both believers and nonbelievers. Utilizing the mellow timbre of his voice and effective moments of silence, Boutsikaris highlights the disconnection and dissatisfaction at the heart of Perrotta's novel. Proving to be a superb narrator for Perrotta's work, Boutsikaris's quiet excellence is akin to that of the author.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“[Perrotta's] most mature, absorbing novel, one that confirms his development from a funnyman to a daring chronicler of our most profound anxieties and human desires...Leavened with humor and tinged with creepiness, this insightful novel draws us into some very dark corners of the human psyche.” —Washington Post

Nice twist

Great story. I inadvertently read Left Behind before I realized who wrote it and that they were serious. I like this much better and I love this narrator.

Imaginative, compelling

A unique tale almost deceptively simple in its telling. This was a terrific book.

Fascinating: A++

I am one of the people who read/listened to the book AFTER watching the TV series. I absolutely love the TV series and have seen all three seasons. I knew it was time to check out the book as I am such a huge fan of the TV series. The book didn't disappoint. The premise is absolutely fascinating and getting to the end of the book I just wish there was a sequel or sequels. Having three seasons of the TV series helps to continue with the story, but I really wish there were both more seasons of the TV series AND more books continuing the story, as it is intriguing and I am left wanting to know more. I loved everything about this audiobook. I can't fault it in any way and I am looking forward to listening to it a second time. I am also currently watching the TV series for a second time and I highly recommend both the book and the TV series. It is truly fascinating subject matter. A very human story with a little magical/supernatural subject matter. Five stars!

Just loved it!

This audiobook was simply excellent! The first 20 minutes it was difficult for me to get a grip of the tale, but after that, it was pure concentration. I was so disappointed when it ended because I wanted MORE! Now that I got done for over a week ago the story still lives within me, which is a sure sign of a magnificent book.

First watched the TV series

The book is like a blueprint for the show with lackluster payoffs. The storylines were weaker and the world less defined. All together if you like the show this book is a less entertaining extension. Also no show answers here!

HBO series is a lot different!!!

I first watched this series on HBO then i read the book. This is one time the book is completely different but in a good way. Kevin isn't the mayor in the series and there is no talk of his dad or his mysterious dog killing friend. Holy Wayne in the series is a prophet or angel type leader. Jon who is Kevins son is following Wayne and taking care of his girlfriend. She is carrying the baby of Holy Wayne which Nore Durst finds in the end. Who is this baby? His wife and daughter has a lot of problems. One lives with the cult group The Guilty Remnant and the other could join!! Overall a good story about where a fourth of the world just disappeared. Is it the rapture or aliens ? I guess book two will explain a lot more because there is a whole lot more to tell about this crazy town called Mapleton. Maybe book two can tell us more? The HBO series is better than the book and you don't hear me ever say that much because the book usually is always better!!!

Hidden gem

I love Tom Perrotta's writing. I was also very intrigued by the plot of this novel. Perrotta makes a fantastical scenario relatable. Having read it years ago I was very impressed with Denis Boutsikaris' narration and his ability to further bring Perrotta's characters to life. This book is one I revisit often.

Enjoyed the show me, enjoyed the book

After a while listening to hours upon hours of someone's voice irks you; but, I enjoyed listening to this book during my morning/evening commute. I originally saw the show on HBO and was blown away by the honesty behind it, feeling the need to watch it a second time- I immediately wanted to read the book. The book is different from the show- which I liked- both make me think a lot, as someone whose not religious, I often wonder about some of events listed in the bible as having happened or soon to happen. It's an interesting conversation starter to say the least.

Loved the series, liked the book

I was so captivated by the series that I looked forward to any insight I could get from the novel. It was really great so far as it went. I wish there would be a sequel. Seemed to end mid-stream. Worth reading though.

Loved it!

I was pleasantly surprised to find a fun story about a possible rapture.I would much rather listen to The Leftovers than The Left Behind series.