This book deserves close attention, through and through. And if you fulfill this role as a reader, you will get the most out of what this book could potentially give.As the title suggests, the novel is centered on the loss of Leon Meed, a mysterious man who appears out of nowhere to various people and then vanishes as if he had not existed at all. And these people, no matter how little the time they had been in-touch with Leon Meed, had their lives changed and interwoven to each other's. From a grade school teacher to a surgeon to an alcoholic, this novel presents a spectacle of characters, with a colorful spectrum that will compel readers to love them.For the plot, I must applaud Josh Emmons for writing such intricate and beautifully-woven story line. There are elements of what makes a good story (at least for me): reality, subtle magic, philosophy, romance, and even action. Everything is well-blended with each other; everything will make a reader wonder more, about what happened, what is to happened, and what is happening. And oftentimes, the novel will also make a reader wonder about himself.The novel is also written in such way that all the characters get a chance to view all the happenings from the point of view. And in doing so, Emmons makes a colorful narration of events. Moreover, his thought-provoking yet short sentences will bring a reader to another level - one that is more personal and spiritual in some sense.For the characters and the settings - well, they are all painted well, especially the characters. A reader will fall for them at some point. If not, then the experience of reading this is not maximized.This is a poignant and adventurous novel. It inspects a lot of aspects of life - love, faith, mentality, self-esteem, honesty, and freedom, among many things. However, the greatest gift of this novel is its openness - it will take a reader himself to a journey of his own.
Really enjoyable.The first half of the book focuses on the appearances (and more importantly, the disappearances) of Leon Meed, who shows up randomly, and then disappears within moments. These events are of course disturbing to the residents of Eureka who witness them. Eureka is a small enough town that many of the witnesses' lives intersect each other to some extent. There's an air of mystery to the first half of the book.Ten years later, the witnesses learn that Leon Meed has died. This half of the book focuses on the interpretation each of the witnesses has made of their brief encounter with him, and how their lives have been impacted over the course of the years.Emmons' writing is pretty, and his character development is thoughtful.
Do You like book The Loss Of Leon Meed (2005)?
You may see him standing in the middle of the road, swimming in the Pacific Ocean, or numerous places throughout Eureka California, but that’s only if your reading the book The Loss of Leon Meed by Josh Emmons. As quickly as Leon Meed appears to seemily random residents he disappears, but many of them are more connected then they realize. Leon ignites the lives of those at a standstill; people questioning their beliefs, their roles, and even their own reality.*Also posted to www.shelftalk.spl.org
—Kara
