Reviews

This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

justjoel's review against another edition

5.0

I wasn't sure about this audiobook when it began. I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator, but at the beginning, I was wondering if this was going to be just another book full of rich white people and their "problems."

It wasn't.

Yes, the Foxmans are rich, they're dysfunctional, but they're also relatable in a lot of ways, and pretty fucking funny. Definitely the best humorous book I've read so far this year. It does a good job of balancing the humor with the grief our protagonist is suffering following the death of his father, and learning that his wife has been carrying on an extended affair with his boss when he comes home early on her birthday and catches them in bed (the latter event led to a scene that had me laughing out loud on my work commute, because apparently I'm the kind of guy who finds humor in the misfortunes of others—particularly when

Spoiler

lit cheesecakes and certain exposed orifices are involved)

.

5 out of 5 stars

winglady's review against another edition

5.0

Dysfunctional families can still have love -- it just might not look like it from the outside. Slightly bawdy, sometimes humorous, with a touch of tragedy sprinkled in with an assortment of messy love stories -- this is definitely an entertaining read.
Readers who demand an ending that ties up all the loose ends will be disappointed, but those who love to speculate on what happens next will be quite satisfied.

crypuppy's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hollypelesky's review against another edition

5.0

Enjoyed this immensely (except the bizarre scene with Judd's sister-in-law which should definitely have been edited out or placed in a dream scene). This family is characters though, not people. It works fine for a book or movie, everyone being so one-dimensional. The characters act on every impulse and lack any restraint or dignity which is what makes it such a riot.

jenleah's review against another edition

4.0

This was such a readable story. Very fast paced, full of humor in spite of the initiating event being a death. I definitely want to read more by this author.

aurigae's review against another edition

4.0

There is a lot to dislike about this book, most of which boils down to the unlikable narrator and his unlikable narrative voice. The narrator's sexism, ageism, and occasionally racism permeate the story, and his personality feels shallow and affectless. As a result, despite the book being about some really compelling stuff, I was left feeling... not very compelled.

But the book's weakness is also its strength. The narrator and his narrative voice are smart and zippy and frequently funny. Despite the truly sad subject matter it's a quick and absorbing read. Somehow the narrator's flatness cuts trauma and mourning and mortality down to a manageable size, making them all seem less terrifying - and more interesting - than they do in real life.

4.5 stars, rounded down for offensiveness.

heather425's review against another edition

3.0

I started to give this 4 stars, but decided 3.5 was more like it. I enjoyed the writing style a lot, but it did seem more scene like than a cohesive story. This was my first Jonathan Tropper book and I will check out more.

notesonbookmarks's review against another edition

3.0

I lost track of how many people told me I needed to read this book after we passed about five of them. Judd and his siblings are sitting shiva after the death of their lapsed-Jew father, who apparently wanted this rite observed as part of his dying request to his family. All the family and personal drama is present, as we join Judd and his two brothers, his sister, their spouses and significant others, as well as his mother for this week of mourning. Half of this book is dramatic and heartbreaking, and the other half is hilarious and cringe-worthy. It’s worth the read, to be sure.

lsinfield's review against another edition

5.0

Hilarious! Can't stop telling people about this book, need to see the movie. Read it! You will not be disappointed, unless you are easily offended, in which case - read it anyway and get over it!

wuchea's review against another edition

3.0

This is a rare occasion for me, in that I think the book was not as good as the movie. I watched the movie a while back and really enjoyed it, so I wanted to check out the book. It was good...but I think the way that Judd, the main character, approaches the women in his life was more blatantly offensive to me in written form than on the screen. On the one hand, it's a wonderful look at a family that has all the dysfunction of a normal family carried to the nth level. On the other hand, that sometimes comes off as cartoonish. I like a good farce, but this book wasn't really written in that style, so in the end, it was only okay for me.