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peaknit's review against another edition
4.0
The author writes about bitterness and family dysfunction with true flair. I enjoyed it, laughed at things I probably should shave. It was hard not to root for this mess of a family.
zoefruitcake's review against another edition
4.0
We dip into a week in the life of Judd Foxman and his extremely dysfunctional family as they sit Shiva following his father's death. Darkly funny and tragic in almost equal measures.
I knew nothing of this Jewish tradition so found it very interesting but with my limited knowledge of the culture the family appeared to be a stereotypical affluent Jewish family as portrayed by American television. Whenever Hillary spoke I couldn't help think of Leonard's mother on Big Bang Theory!
I knew nothing of this Jewish tradition so found it very interesting but with my limited knowledge of the culture the family appeared to be a stereotypical affluent Jewish family as portrayed by American television. Whenever Hillary spoke I couldn't help think of Leonard's mother on Big Bang Theory!
amberlou105's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
1.5
So much casual misogyny from the start. Every women was described by how fuckable the narrator found them. There was an entire (albeit short) chapter that was him going to the bank and eyeing the tellers ass and that was pretty much it. So much of this book could have been condensed as there were many parts that were repetitive and I felt my eyes glazing over
heathersiddoway's review against another edition
2.0
Too much casual misogyny and not enough (not any) likable characters for me
dejalu's review against another edition
3.0
I would say this is more a 2 and a half star rating rather than 3. I picked this up because it was in a list of "Books to read before the movie comes out" starring Jason Bateman as the main character. First of all, maybe it's just me but I kept envisioning Steve Carrel as Judd while reading this- his character is that goofy, often inappropriate kind of guy.
Why I didn't rate it highter: the sex. No, I'm not a prude by any means, but the sex in this book was usually vindictive, awkward and/ or sad. There's a LOT of spousal cheating going on in this book and, call me naive if you must, but I have a hard time rooting for the characters who do it.
There were quite a few laugh out loud moments, enough that I'll want to see how this story translates on screen. But as a book, I'd say it was just 'okay'.
Why I didn't rate it highter: the sex. No, I'm not a prude by any means, but the sex in this book was usually vindictive, awkward and/ or sad. There's a LOT of spousal cheating going on in this book and, call me naive if you must, but I have a hard time rooting for the characters who do it.
There were quite a few laugh out loud moments, enough that I'll want to see how this story translates on screen. But as a book, I'd say it was just 'okay'.
dinah_s4ur's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
juliagrace2w's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book overall but at the same time it was really depressing because it really went into how messed up relationships can be and what it’s like to get older and still have no idea what you’re doing. Idk def have mixed feelings about it
nkmalani's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
picklesdakat's review against another edition
4.0
What drew me in to read this book, a tiktok video. Some dude, whos banging his wife on her birthday, gets cake rammed into his butthole!!!
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
I preferred this to Tropper's 'One Last Thing Before I Go', though the author manages to mix a great deal of humour into families dealing with death in both. This, I felt, was a stronger mix.
Judd Foxman's dad has died, following a long illness. Though this can't top his recent discovery of his wife in bed with his boss. Struggling to cope. he's not looking forward to the seven-day shiva his Jewish mother tells him was a last request of his father's. He and his three slightly estranged siblings are forced into each other's company for a long, long week, alongside their cosmetically-enhanced and sexually-uninhibited therapist mother.
Tempers will be raised, long-hidden issues will resurface. Matchmakers will try and push Judd towards a bevy of available maidens.
It's comic, despite the subject matter. I loved the interplay between the siblings, very funny at times. And realistic relationships. Judd is a likeable and honest narrator, and in the audiobook I listened to, very easy to follow.
I listened to this after hearing it was about to be made into a film and I think it will translate beautifully. Lots of comedy characters and set pieces, a great family story. And love story - as Judd and his cheating wife have unresolved issues themselves, and other women make a play for the grieving son/husband.
It's fairly light. Very enjoyable. Nice ending that doesn't make it all too twee or obvious. Nice way to spend a few hours.
Judd Foxman's dad has died, following a long illness. Though this can't top his recent discovery of his wife in bed with his boss. Struggling to cope. he's not looking forward to the seven-day shiva his Jewish mother tells him was a last request of his father's. He and his three slightly estranged siblings are forced into each other's company for a long, long week, alongside their cosmetically-enhanced and sexually-uninhibited therapist mother.
Tempers will be raised, long-hidden issues will resurface. Matchmakers will try and push Judd towards a bevy of available maidens.
It's comic, despite the subject matter. I loved the interplay between the siblings, very funny at times. And realistic relationships. Judd is a likeable and honest narrator, and in the audiobook I listened to, very easy to follow.
I listened to this after hearing it was about to be made into a film and I think it will translate beautifully. Lots of comedy characters and set pieces, a great family story. And love story - as Judd and his cheating wife have unresolved issues themselves, and other women make a play for the grieving son/husband.
It's fairly light. Very enjoyable. Nice ending that doesn't make it all too twee or obvious. Nice way to spend a few hours.