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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
One Last Thing Before I Go is a hilarious and bittersweet look into the life of a forty-something loser whose selfishness has torn his life and family apart. When Drew Silver (herein known as "Silver" because no one refers to him as "Drew") learns he has a potentially fatal heart ailment, his decision to forgo surgery and simply die sets off a chain reaction of events that threatens to monkey-wrench the lives his ex-wife and their daughter have created for themselves during his "lost" period. Oh, and to make matter worse, his daughter learns she's pregnant, and she comes to him (HIM!) for advice!
Silver is exactly the kind of man every man has the dangerous capability of becoming, a sad, depressed man looking back at all the mistakes he's made, knowing full well he could have turned left when he turned right, etc. Yet Silver is that lovable loser; you know deep down inside he really is a damaged soul needing to be loved, and wanting to love, but he can't help but fuck things up. So much so that he imagines his tombstone will be inscribed with the words "What the Fuck?"
Jonathan Tropper's latest is often times brutally funny and refreshingly honest. The characters, especially Silver and, most impressively, his 18-year-old daughter Casey, come to life with stunning clarity. I read this in a 3-day frenzy, not wanting this story to end. Alas, it did, and it left me both smiling and sad. Highly recommended.
Silver is exactly the kind of man every man has the dangerous capability of becoming, a sad, depressed man looking back at all the mistakes he's made, knowing full well he could have turned left when he turned right, etc. Yet Silver is that lovable loser; you know deep down inside he really is a damaged soul needing to be loved, and wanting to love, but he can't help but fuck things up. So much so that he imagines his tombstone will be inscribed with the words "What the Fuck?"
Jonathan Tropper's latest is often times brutally funny and refreshingly honest. The characters, especially Silver and, most impressively, his 18-year-old daughter Casey, come to life with stunning clarity. I read this in a 3-day frenzy, not wanting this story to end. Alas, it did, and it left me both smiling and sad. Highly recommended.
While there were laugh out loud moments it couldn't escape from the overwhelming dread and sense of hopelessness, which I guess was the point?
This book revisits themes similar to Tropper’s other books: The conflicts of having some degree of fame but life not working out at all as planned. It took me a little longer to get into this book than some of his other books I read because he uses the third person point of view, but ultimately his decision to write it that way is a good one. There is the mix of funny and sad that I really like, plus the occasional philosophical line where I nod my head and think, “yes, good point, that’s so true.” For example: “The thing about living alone is that it gives you a lot of time to think. You don’t necessarily reach any conclusions because wisdom is largely a function of intelligence and self-awareness, not time on your hands. But you do become very good at thinking yourself into endless loops of desperation in half the time.”
Not gonna lie, I almost DNF-ed this one because the first few chapters are so unbearably dragging.
The introduction of the characters really annoyed the living hell out of me, but I think it was really intentional. The plot isn’t really the most original. It’s one of those books that have a very predictable conclusion, but you stay because of the exceptional writing (except maybe the excessive use of the word “disconcerting”).
I loved how Tropper approaches communication or lack thereof by using complex yet beautifully flawed characters which made them more human and the story more relatable. Even the supporting characters have their own unique personalities and personal struggles that were all presented well throughout the book.
I’m actually looking forward to reading more of the author’s works.
The introduction of the characters really annoyed the living hell out of me, but I think it was really intentional. The plot isn’t really the most original. It’s one of those books that have a very predictable conclusion, but you stay because of the exceptional writing (except maybe the excessive use of the word “disconcerting”).
I loved how Tropper approaches communication or lack thereof by using complex yet beautifully flawed characters which made them more human and the story more relatable. Even the supporting characters have their own unique personalities and personal struggles that were all presented well throughout the book.
I’m actually looking forward to reading more of the author’s works.
Liked it better than This is Where I Leave You. Similar, yet different.
I (unfortunately) never even heard of Tropper before I won this book on Goodreads, but he is a genius. Witty and meaningful dialogue, great characters in fucked-up situations...I couldn't stop reading! Definitely checking out his other books.
Oh, and just a warning -- don't read this book if you hate not knowing what happens in the end. Somehow I didn't mind.
Oh, and just a warning -- don't read this book if you hate not knowing what happens in the end. Somehow I didn't mind.
Always up for Tropper. Love his writing and this one was no exception.
The main character isn't likable, but in a lovable schlubby kind of way. Through a health scare he reestablishes connections with his family. The book was pleasant to read, but I have a feeling in a week or two I won't really remember having read it.