Leave Society

Leave Society follows Li, a writer in his thirties who splits his time between New York City and his parents' home in Taiwan. The novel tracks his experiences over four years as he researches health, medicine, and ancient civilizations while working on a book. Li's journey involves questioning mainstream medical practices and exploring alternative approaches to wellbeing. He experiments with psychedelics, changes his diet, and works to improve his relationship with his parents while gradually disconnecting from conventional social structures. The narrative unfolds through precise, documentary-style observations of daily life, conversations, and Li's internal processing of the information he discovers. His research spans topics from GMOs to electromagnetic frequencies to the origins of human civilization. The novel examines themes of personal transformation, family bonds, and the possibility of finding meaning outside dominant social systems. It presents an alternative to modern alienation through a return to fundamental questions about health, consciousness, and human connection.

Readers describe Leave Society as a semi-autobiographical account of a writer examining health, family relationships, and alternative perspectives on science and medicine. Positive reviews highlight: - The detailed research on health and wellness topics - Lin's evolution as a writer toward clearer prose - The tender portrayal of parent-child relationships - The balance of intellectual ideas with personal narrative Common criticisms: - Too much focus on supplements and alternative medicine - Repetitive discussions of health research - Lack of strong narrative drive - Dense writing style that can feel clinical Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (100+ ratings) Several readers note the book requires patience, with one Goodreads reviewer writing: "It's like watching someone slowly wake up to reality." Others describe feeling frustrated by the detailed health tangents, with an Amazon reviewer stating: "The endless supplement talk overwhelms what could have been a more compelling family story."

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh The protagonist's methodical withdrawal from society through pharmaceutical experimentation mirrors Li's contemplative departure from conventional life structures.

The Book of X by Sarah Rose Etter A character's navigation of bodily experiences and questioning of medical narratives unfolds through precise, surreal observations that parallel Li's health investigations.

Problems by Jade Sharma The documentation of a character's research into alternative consciousness states and challenges to social norms echoes Li's exploration of psychedelics and societal structures.

The Idiot by Elif Batuman The protagonist's detailed observations of daily life and examination of communication patterns reflect Li's documentary-style contemplation of human connection.

The Way of Life According to Lao Tzu translated by Witter Bynner The text's examination of natural living and societal detachment provides philosophical foundations similar to Li's journey toward alternative modes of existence.

🔸 The character Li shares many autobiographical elements with author Tao Lin, including his Taiwanese heritage and journey with alternative medicine, making the novel a blend of fiction and memoir. 🔸 During the writing of "Leave Society," Lin extensively researched psychedelics and their historical use, particularly focusing on how ancient civilizations integrated them into healing practices. 🔸 The book's structure mirrors the lunar calendar with four parts representing seasons, reflecting both Western and Eastern approaches to marking time and transformation. 🔸 Lin wrote much of the novel while experimenting with a ketogenic diet and various supplements, documenting their effects on his cognitive function and creative process. 🔸 The novel marks a significant stylistic departure from Lin's earlier works, which were known for their deadpan minimalism, showing instead a more mature, contemplative writing style influenced by his study of ancient texts.