Date started: 04 August 2026
Date finished: 05 August 2026

The Leaving Gene, although giving off a first impression that this book will delve into a scientific and extensive analysis of how man’s tendency of leaving or avoidant behaviors suggest a biological linkage to the human genetic imprint, does not focus on such presentation. Instead, readers should expect a more human, intimate discussion of essays that resonates more from the emotional and sentimental aspects.

Thanks to the generosity of the author and publisher, this work of art made a deep impression with me in a sense that this served as a mirror to my entirety, and how I felt seen, felt attacked, felt enraged, and yet felt understood and validated by the lessons offered by each essay. The first few pages of this book already hooked me by putting into words how I exactly feel about leaving, loss, grief, the inconvenient decisions, and the impact it creates.

The literary prose further elevated the reading experience because it felt like I was listening to my uncle’s bed time stories which, at some point made me cry, and yet at some point made me laugh due to the unhinged narratives being shared. This conversant way of presenting the essays helped the author to connect with the readers by appealing to the readers’ personal experiences and letting the explanations speak for themselves rather than actively proving a point or overexplaining the thesis statement.

I can’t wait for the physical copy of this book because there are lots of quotes that I’d be underlining. Also, there are some lasting impressions from some essays like the author’s pen-pal story with a convicted felon, the essay about the dog at the door, and the essay on rekindling the old flames from a romance that happened twenty years ago. Finally, I liked the idea of being vulnerable with the readers and ending this literary art as an open-ended one.

Thank you Victory Editing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

In a collection of personal essays, Huck Smith meditates on how the ways we learn to survive and cope follow us throughout our lives, even when we escape, even when we run, and what it costs us in at the end of the day--or, most Tuesdays.

Smith's essays are written in short, staccato like sentences, arranged not in chronological order but in a style of reflection, comparison to then versus now, reflecting how time between often blurs. He's to the point, and most essays aren't more than a few pages. This works especially well with his hilarious stories that left me cackling and teary eyed, but it hurt so much more when he delved into more personal, introspective examinations of self. Smith acknowledges that he's not trying to tie up his life neatly with a bow. These are the observations that he's made about his life, about how he stays and leaves, makes decisions and sometimes feels helpless to them. He's honest about his intentions and his writing style reflects that: here I am, here is how it is.

Smith's book is perhaps intended for an older audience, as he often reflects upon his age of fifty two throughout his essays. However, as a fumbling adult struggling to outrun and simultaneously find their place in the end of their twenties, I found a kindred spirit in his stories. For readers who are interested in trauma, in life, in how we become who we are and how we can examine that honestly, frankly, presently, I thrust The Leaving Gene upon you for consideration. If you have ever been lost. If you are still currently lost. If you don't know how you got here in the first place. There's a place for you in Smith's writing.

I was very intrigued by the title of this book and it did not disappoint! In fact as I got further and further it seemed to get better and better. It was so emotionally raw and vulnerable in a way I truly appreciated. It was so relatable in so many ways I thought nobody would ever understand. I appreciated that the book was parsed out into essays but had themes that carried throughout. It was a very interesting read and really caused me to think about my own actions and patterns. I loved how it talked about the struggles of coming out and of making choices that seem like the right thing, but are actually just the easy thing. The writing was also so beautiful and well thought out, it’s hard to believe this author hasn’t been doing it his whole life.