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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
I always enjoy Jonathan Tropper, and this was okay. Probably not one I would recommend, but enjoyable enough.
Similar to This is Where I Leave You. Different dysfunctional family, same tragic comedy. Fun read.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Jonathan Tropper is one of my favorite authors. He has this uncanny ability to write about things that aren't funny, but his characters always see the painful humor in things. They are messy and real and screw things up and I love it all.
I found both the pregnancy and the medical condition to be strange plot lines that I both couldn’t get past and couldn’t stop reading about. Tropper writes that well. His character and dialogue can move past any ridiculous plot. If the plotline had been better I’d have liked the book much better. Who chooses to opt out of a heart condition at 43 because he’s not sure he wants to keep on living? I can completely relate to what Silver means but having that hang over your head at all times. Wouldn’t one be completely anxiety-ridden at all times? Tropper incorporates it as an additional character, or the fifth dimension or something to that effect. It’s somewhat ridiculous and the other characters realize it but analyze it and philosophize about it just the same. As the novel’s about Silver, Casey’s pregnancy isn’t a major plotline but Tropper handle it deftly. I’ve decided I won’t read novels that revolve around a pregnancy from a one-night-stand as it’s so unrealistic in 2012. Fortunately Tropper’s smarter than other authors. Both parents torment their daughter and mention how ridiculous she was not to use protection. Kudos to Tropper for mentioning abortion and detailing scenes with the parents on this. Also he’s realistic about teenagers.
To be honest I couldn't finish this. I hated the protagonist. He wasn't a lovable loser, just a loser. It didn't make me want to finish it.
In typical Tropper fashion, he leaves the question for you to answer. However - also, in typical Tropper fashion - you enjoy the ride through the protagonist's personal dysfunction nonetheless. Silver is a lovable loser that seems to leave a path of fuckery no matter where he goes. He's essentially demolished his life and those left in the wake have long moved on. When faced with a literal life-or-death quandary, Silver decides to reexamine those destroyed relationships to determine if life is still worth fighting for. A great read that will have you struggling over your feelings about Silver and why the people in his life seem so attracted to his drama. Loved it!
This was a light read, but I really enjoyed this book. Made me laugh out loud in several spots and I was rooting for this pathetic dude and his pathetic bros.