The Things We Leave Behind cover art

The Things We Leave Behind

Carnegie-shortlisted title

 Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30-day free trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

About this listen

 * Winner of the Southern Schools Book Awards 2025, shortlisted for the UKLA Books Prize 2025 and the Carnegie Medal 2025.

How I Live Now meets Exodus – a startling YA dystopia that imagines London as the epicentre of the refugee crisis, from critically acclaimed author Clare Furniss.

?‘Compulsive, poignant YA dystopia’ The Guardian
‘An exquisite, devastating read’ The Irish Times
‘Genuinely moving’ Daily Mail
‘Reminiscent of Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now and Paul Lynch’s Book Prize-winning dystopia Prophet Song, this is a devastating novel which speaks to the present political moment’ Just Imagine

Civil unrest in London has reached an all-time high after years of a growing authoritarian regime, and it’s no longer safe for Clem and her half-sister Billie in the city. Clem tells of their treacherous journey to Scotland, by road and then by sea, fleeing with nothing but a notebook filled with stories and memories of home. But is there something Clem's not saying? And how will this journey – and the sisters’ story – end? With the start of a new life? Or a mirror held up to the past?

PRAISE FOR THE THINGS WE LEAVE BEHIND:
‘Remarkable. A frighteningly relevant and moving novel, told with impeccable style. Clare Furniss is one of the very best writers for young people and this new novel is her finest yet. I loved it.’ Sarah Crossan, author of Where The Heart Should Be

‘Beautifully written, page-turning in the extreme, and deep and person and global’ A.F. Harrold, author of The Imaginary and The Worlds We Leave Behind

‘I couldn’t stop reading The Things We Leave Behind… Devastating and unsparing but full of hope and love too. It was a privilege to read it.’ Candy Gourlay, author of Wild Song

‘This book is exceptional… Years and Years meets The End We Start From for teenagers. Should be on every secondary set text list.’ Joanna Nadin, author of A Calamity of Mannerings

‘Gripping, moving, tense, twisty and very, very necessary… It all felt so utterly real and terrifyingly possible.’ Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal

‘Such moving, thought-provoking, compelling story-telling. Wonderful characters. Utterly convincing. I loved it.’ Julia Green, author of Ettie and the Midnight Pool

‘Reminiscent of Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now and Paul Lynch’s Book Prize-winning dystopia Prophet Song, this is a devastating novel which speaks to the present political moment’ Just Imagine

PRAISE FOR CLARE FURNISS:

‘Lingers in the mind long after the final word has been read’ Malorie Blackman, author of Noughts & Crosses

‘Absolutely gorgeous, heartfelt and incredibly enjoyable’ Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series

‘Funny, sharply observed, shocking and wonderful’ Sunday Times

‘A beautifully executed story . . . gloriously funny, deeply emotional and a triumph’ Daily Mail

‘Beautifully written’ Stylist
 Death & Dying Difficult Situations Family & Relationships Literature & Fiction England
All stars
Most relevant
This is a beautifully crafted YA novel that explores the very real horrors of a far right regime dividing the UK. Devastating and heartbreaking but also tender, beautiful and hopeful. Superbly written and performed.

Superb & thought-provoking

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Set in the near future this book tells a chilling story of things that could go so desperately wrong if we do not protect freedom of speech and freedom of the press. A beautifully told story of love, loss and hope. Short listed for the Carnegie medal, it has my vote.

A fantastic read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A gripping story from the first page. Brilliantly written to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, guessing the end to the story right until the last page. Highly recommended.

Gripping and well written

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A fantastic book, very apt in today's world. Well written, moving and convincing. Great structure with the storytelling.

Beautiful, powerful and close to the bone

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I love how Clem’s growth is shown through the book and all the twists. The ending was very unexpected.

AMAZING

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews