Scan barcode
A review by aurigae
This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper
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.
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.