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mizzlroy's review against another edition
4.0
A little dark and twisty but I expect that from Jonathan Tropper. I enjoyed it. I laughed and I cried. If you liked his other novel, This Is Where I Leave You, you will surely like this one as well!
danakristen82's review against another edition
1.0
Tropper's "This Is Where I Leave You" is one of my favourite books. Maybe it set my expectations too high but regardless, I'm unsure of how to properly elucidate how awful this book is with it's lip-curling cliché "made for TV movie" moments. Every situation or development had me rolling my eyes. The relationships were cheesy and nonsensical, and every event or occurrence conveniently fell apart so that it could conveniently be put back together again - not to mention the boring, overextended dialog. I'm sort of afraid to jump into other books of Tropper's. I do love his writing style, but this entire story was, for lack of a better word, balls.
bookgirl1209's review against another edition
4.0
I love Jonathan Tropper's writing. More specifically, his characters are always so real, warts and all.
In this one, Joe returns home after his Dad suffers a stroke and well after his fictional expose on his hometown and everyone in it. How he deals with a dysfunctional, estranged family and an essentially angry town is so interesting. You cringe at his mistakes and fumbles but still like him. It's funny in parts and uncomfortable in others but still manages to hold your attention and make you root for even the characters you don't really like.
In this one, Joe returns home after his Dad suffers a stroke and well after his fictional expose on his hometown and everyone in it. How he deals with a dysfunctional, estranged family and an essentially angry town is so interesting. You cringe at his mistakes and fumbles but still like him. It's funny in parts and uncomfortable in others but still manages to hold your attention and make you root for even the characters you don't really like.
thealtjoker's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jasonheffron's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
kirsten0929's review against another edition
4.0
*Chuckles - 5-stars - I find him really funny, definitely a comedy of a book
*Writing - 4-stars - I think he's a really good writer for what this is, feels like a natural voice, unforced
*Story - 3-stars - decent premise, but a little overly action-packed. Did he really need to be in multiple fights AND have his car blow up AND get pushed over a waterfall AND...etc. Some situations and dialogue a little cliched.
*Characters - 4-stars - funny and likable, sometimes a little cliched but not to the point of distraction. Sometimes nice insights into human emotion and psychology
*Easy read/guilty pleasure - 5-stars
*Writing - 4-stars - I think he's a really good writer for what this is, feels like a natural voice, unforced
*Story - 3-stars - decent premise, but a little overly action-packed. Did he really need to be in multiple fights AND have his car blow up AND get pushed over a waterfall AND...etc. Some situations and dialogue a little cliched.
*Characters - 4-stars - funny and likable, sometimes a little cliched but not to the point of distraction. Sometimes nice insights into human emotion and psychology
*Easy read/guilty pleasure - 5-stars
eawortman's review against another edition
5.0
Not my usual genre to read in, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. The right mix of conflict and uncertainty to where the story will go without being cheesy.
peaknit's review against another edition
4.0
Sarcastic, sardonic and bitter, but very enjoyable! I listened via audible, the narration was perfect!
*edited to add I read this in book form 6 years later and I still like Joe, that little prick.
*edited to add I read this in book form 6 years later and I still like Joe, that little prick.
anovelobsession's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this book. I cannot say enough about how well it was written and how I fell in love with the characters. The main character in the book is Joe - an author who writes a book called Bush Falls - using people that he grew up with as the characters in the book - and he doesn't show them in a very good light. Circumstances force him go go back home (his father has a stroke) and the rest of the book follows him as he receives the backlash of those who weren't happy about the book and as he comes to terms with his father's death and his relationship with his brother and old friends. Great, great book.
librariansrule's review against another edition
5.0
Fearless writing, gorgeous phrasing, crazy stories with bittersweet, heartbreaking moments.
I'll read anything Tropper ever writes.
I'll read anything Tropper ever writes.