Will has a daily routine.
He works at the Dollar Only store, attempts to recreate his father’s cornbread recipe and never takes public transportation. Instead of taking the bus or the train, Will chose to walk to get to his destination. However, there are things he tries to avoid at all costs. He doesn’t walk past the blessings store, his childhood friend Playa’s house and the bridge on Fourth street….
where his father committed suicide.
After his father’s suicide, Will decided to walk in order to escape his own problems. It’s been three whole years, yet, Will still has a habit of walking. However, after finding out that Playa has been raped at a party, Will comes to realization that instead of avoiding his problems, he needs to face it head-on. Especially the fact that he could’ve easily prevented that if he had just hadn’t left the party early. Since that, he begins to put some good in the neighborhood by leaving gifts for people. Along with that, he uncovers the truth about his father’s cornbread.
Reading What I Leave Behind by Alison McGhee was a meaningful experience for me. It brought me back to reality, showing me the dark side of the tunnel and how to get out of it. Alison McGhee did a spectacular job at unraveling the story. She managed to make Will a character that’s complex and deep. The reader feels like he’s real, and has a chance of discovering themselves within the ink that stains the pages.
Kudos to Allison McGhee.
Find out what happens next in the library.