Reviewed by Bokang Murdock for Readers' Favorite

Listed by Keith E. Leger is set in a time where parents have the option to list their unborn babies, allowing the market to invest money in their lives. The list in question has an initial share price, which increases if the child proves to be a promising prospect and continues to excel in various aspects of their life, particularly academically. Pete and Valerie list their daughter Leah, whose initial share price starts at eleven dollars. On the other hand, Gerald and Carolyn lovingly list their son Solomon, whose initial share price starts at forty-two dollars. The two grow up in different families, only to meet later in the near future. What will their share prices be by then? Eve, their daughter, descriptively narrates the story of her parents’ lives from their births to her own birth in this thought-provoking novel.

Listed by Keith E. Leger is exceptionally multi-themed. I had to stop reading several times to replay in my mind the many themes that unfold. Solomon and Leah prove that whenever there is an investment in someone’s life, it is a motivation to achieve greater things, even in the face of unimaginable adversity. The novel is beautiful; it doesn’t fail to make one ruminate beyond the ordinary, a feeling made even stronger by the conclusion. The plot is almost quiet—it leans more toward a slice-of-life style. The relationships between the characters lean heavily toward the happy, non-problematic side, although the market does symbolize a source of conflict. The characters are intellectual, primarily Leah, which gives this narrative a psychological feel. Overall, Listed is an interesting novel that leaves you thinking long after turning the final page. I recommend it.