This disappointing book explores the Adam/Eve/Lilith myth. Chamberlin tries to apply anthropology and create a real-world situation in which the Biblical/pre-Biblical tale of Lilith and Adam could have conceivably happened. However, Chamberlin only uses anthropology to fiddle with the character's ages and the story drifts between realism and fantasy poorly, as Lilith and her daughter (who is also the narrator) become omniscient, immortal folk while Adam and Eve are mere humans who rape the earth and invent a religion. I'm not a Christian myself and didn't find the story very offensive but some might. Disinteresting characterization, slow plot development, and boring narrative. ( )

Leaving Eden is a book I should have discarded much before the end of the novel. I found it mostly long-winded and unengagingly written. I am a reader who wants to finish books once I start them, though, and so I carried on. It took me much longer than a 256 page book normally would. Falling asleep while reading, even when I am exhausted, is a bit unusual for me.

Anyway, this is a story unlike any other I have read before, and that is a saving grace for me. Unique plots are worthy of at least one star, this one was worth two. An exploration of what civilization would have existed in the time of Adam and Eve is the basis of the novel. Further exploration of the character of Lilith, and what type of creature she was not only to Eden, but to the other societies populating the earth, gave this novel a second star.

The narrative character of Na'amah, the daughter of Lilith and Adam, did not have enough life for me, though, to keep the story going with the force I demand out of a higher ranked work. She was mostly bland and pat... yes, she was being set up as an outsider, so that she could continue on Lilith's line rather than Adam's... but loners can still have something a reader can connect with. Na'amah had none for me, even as a storyteller and an aspiring writer should.

So, all in all, a mostly interesting read, if you can ignore the main character... ( )