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literallykristen's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
All the protagonists of Tropper's novels are basically the same. I just read 3 in quick succession because of a reading challenge so that particularly struck me. I do tend to like his minor characters though--there were some really good ones in this book.
All the protagonists of Tropper's novels are basically the same. I just read 3 in quick succession because of a reading challenge so that particularly struck me. I do tend to like his minor characters though--there were some really good ones in this book.
100onbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Made for a movie.
Sad, overwrought White UMC man loses wife, is saddled with stepson, falls in love.
Fast & not unenjoyable :)
Sad, overwrought White UMC man loses wife, is saddled with stepson, falls in love.
Fast & not unenjoyable :)
jedbird's review against another edition
4.0
Intelligent, funny, sad story of a young widower and his complicated family. There are a lot of wild situations that manage to not spill over into broad buffoonery. There is some very poignant writing about grief. The combination of these elements is successful, but the over-the-top aspects made it slightly difficult to take the emotional elements as seriously as I might have otherwise. It was a very enjoyable read, and I'll probably look up some of Mr. Tropper's other titles, but I doubt I'd reread this one.
zoemig's review against another edition
3.0
"I had a wife. Her name was Hailey. Now she's gone. And so am I."
When How to Talk to a Widower by Jonathan Tropper begins Doug Parker is a twenty nine year old widower whose older wife Hailey has died in a plane crash. Now he's living in Hailey's suburban home and dealing with his sixteen year old stepson Russ who is increasingly getting in trouble. Doug turns his magazine column into a discussion on How To Talk to a Widower and becomes a local celebrity, as well as the guy everyone wants to set up on a date. After all, it's been a year since his wife's death and even his own family think he should be getting on with his life they all "seem to think that’s the shelf life on grief, like all you need is one round through all of the seasons and then you’re tapped like an empty keg, ready to start living again."
In How to Talk to a Widower Tropper has created an interesting and unique cast of characters including Doug's sisters Claire and Debbie. Claire and Doug are twins, a relationship I found particularly interesting since I'm a twin myself and Tropper's description of their bond was really touching:
"And that’s the beauty of having a twin who knows you better than you know yourself. I can know for you. If you needed a kidney or a liver transplant, I’d be your best bet, because inside we’re the same. I’m just applying the same principle. I’m going to give you some of my heart to use until yours starts beating again."
Claire has just left her husband after finding out she's pregnant and decided to move in Doug in order to get him to move on with his life, including reentering the dating pool. Doug's young sister Debbie is about to get married to one of Doug's really good friends, a man she just so happened to meet while Doug was sitting shiva in mourning for his wife and which Doug therefore resents her for. Add a father who has been left brain-damaged by a stroke and sometimes wakes up with no idea what year he is, Hailey's ex-husband and his new family, a sexy redhead who wants to sleep with Doug but happens to still be married, and the sensitive school counselor who's trying to help Russ and you have enough quirky characters to make a Coen brothers movie.
The problem with How to Talk to a Widower is that Tropper simply doesn't give himself enough time to develop the huge cast he introduces the reader to and so many of the plot lines end up rushed and underdeveloped. This is one case where I really think an extra hundred pages would have benefited the story. I also found the entire terribly indie- and although I felt Tropper did a good job portraying grief he never really managed to pull at my heartstrings in the way I expected. He did however, have a fantastic knack for dialogue which probably added to the fact that I think this would make a great movie. I also found Doug one of the less interesting characters in the book- I particularly loved Claire and though she was complex enough I'd be completely willing to read a book which featured her as a main character.
Without providing any spoilers, I will say that I found the ending of How to Talk to a Widower to be a bit overboard and unrealistic. Although I can appreciate Tropper's ability to get his characters out of outlandish situations, I didn't buy the violent personality he attributed to one character. The reader didn't know much about this character earlier, so it really comes out of nowhere and seems a bit ridiculous, as well as the subsequent events which involve a minor medical miracle. The lack of believability of these events made it difficult to remain fully involved in the story, and unfortunately let down the ending of the book for me. Overall I felt How to Talk to a Widower had a great premise and even better characters, but unfortunately Tropper overextends himself and as a result the story is weaker than I would have hoped for from an author who has more potential than he has fulfilled in this book. ***
When How to Talk to a Widower by Jonathan Tropper begins Doug Parker is a twenty nine year old widower whose older wife Hailey has died in a plane crash. Now he's living in Hailey's suburban home and dealing with his sixteen year old stepson Russ who is increasingly getting in trouble. Doug turns his magazine column into a discussion on How To Talk to a Widower and becomes a local celebrity, as well as the guy everyone wants to set up on a date. After all, it's been a year since his wife's death and even his own family think he should be getting on with his life they all "seem to think that’s the shelf life on grief, like all you need is one round through all of the seasons and then you’re tapped like an empty keg, ready to start living again."
In How to Talk to a Widower Tropper has created an interesting and unique cast of characters including Doug's sisters Claire and Debbie. Claire and Doug are twins, a relationship I found particularly interesting since I'm a twin myself and Tropper's description of their bond was really touching:
"And that’s the beauty of having a twin who knows you better than you know yourself. I can know for you. If you needed a kidney or a liver transplant, I’d be your best bet, because inside we’re the same. I’m just applying the same principle. I’m going to give you some of my heart to use until yours starts beating again."
Claire has just left her husband after finding out she's pregnant and decided to move in Doug in order to get him to move on with his life, including reentering the dating pool. Doug's young sister Debbie is about to get married to one of Doug's really good friends, a man she just so happened to meet while Doug was sitting shiva in mourning for his wife and which Doug therefore resents her for. Add a father who has been left brain-damaged by a stroke and sometimes wakes up with no idea what year he is, Hailey's ex-husband and his new family, a sexy redhead who wants to sleep with Doug but happens to still be married, and the sensitive school counselor who's trying to help Russ and you have enough quirky characters to make a Coen brothers movie.
The problem with How to Talk to a Widower is that Tropper simply doesn't give himself enough time to develop the huge cast he introduces the reader to and so many of the plot lines end up rushed and underdeveloped. This is one case where I really think an extra hundred pages would have benefited the story. I also found the entire terribly indie- and although I felt Tropper did a good job portraying grief he never really managed to pull at my heartstrings in the way I expected. He did however, have a fantastic knack for dialogue which probably added to the fact that I think this would make a great movie. I also found Doug one of the less interesting characters in the book- I particularly loved Claire and though she was complex enough I'd be completely willing to read a book which featured her as a main character.
Without providing any spoilers, I will say that I found the ending of How to Talk to a Widower to be a bit overboard and unrealistic. Although I can appreciate Tropper's ability to get his characters out of outlandish situations, I didn't buy the violent personality he attributed to one character. The reader didn't know much about this character earlier, so it really comes out of nowhere and seems a bit ridiculous, as well as the subsequent events which involve a minor medical miracle. The lack of believability of these events made it difficult to remain fully involved in the story, and unfortunately let down the ending of the book for me. Overall I felt How to Talk to a Widower had a great premise and even better characters, but unfortunately Tropper overextends himself and as a result the story is weaker than I would have hoped for from an author who has more potential than he has fulfilled in this book. ***
arivasfdz's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book so very much. I thought I would give it a try since it’s usually not something I reach for and I’m so glad I did. This story is a raw and honest look into what life after a major loss looks like for a young widower. I so appreciated the dysfunction found in Doug’s life and family and the snarky yet earnest way Doug approached life after losing the love of his life. This book warmed my heart in an unexpected way and even though the subject matter is rather grim, I found myself smiling as I read. Would definitely recommend this to anybody who needs a tough as nails, yet somehow warm and soft shoulder to cry on.
mrisner's review against another edition
5.0
Surprisingly good and funny at times with just enough sadness in it that you aren't sitting here crying over it.
chrisiant's review against another edition
3.0
If the main character of this book had been female, it would just about qualify as chick-lit. Good chick-lit, but still the kind of semi-predictable begins-with-tragedy, ends with the lesson that life goes on, with some cozy life insights and fairly interesting drama tucked in the middle.
But if you're not expecting a life-changing classic out of it, it's pretty good. The characters are multi-dimensional, even if their plot arcs are somewhat predictable and their surroundings somewhat tedious. And there were a couple of really fantastic nuggets hidden in little corners of the book. Worthwhile. Feel-good but not throw-away.
But if you're not expecting a life-changing classic out of it, it's pretty good. The characters are multi-dimensional, even if their plot arcs are somewhat predictable and their surroundings somewhat tedious. And there were a couple of really fantastic nuggets hidden in little corners of the book. Worthwhile. Feel-good but not throw-away.
wawa_m's review against another edition
5.0
This book was beautiful. With a combination of humour, raw emotion and a well flowing story, it pulls you in. It’s hard to keep a story about grief light and heavy at the same time but Jonathan Tropper does just that. Doug is relatable in his cynicism and he goes through a self-examination that is quite brutal and honest. Loved reading every page of this.
clskvarce's review against another edition
5.0
I have yet to be disappointed with any of Jonathan Tropper's novels. I love his wit and his emotion. In this novel, Tropper again created an interesting cast of a characters, and a soulful narrator to put it all in perspective. Doug Parker is up there on par with Joe Goffman. I wish they were real men so I could meet them!!! Great book, keep writing Jonathan, I need more!!!