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ellieb73's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
lilyantan's review against another edition
3.0
A well written witty book about a dysfunctional family. Great array of characters and lots of dark funny moments.
Everyone can probably relate to this book on some level because really, what family isn't fucked up somehow?
Everyone can probably relate to this book on some level because really, what family isn't fucked up somehow?
jinason's review against another edition
3.0
I started reading this book on the airplane and laughed out loud only a few pages in and got some looks from other passengers. Since then, there have been several occasions where I burst out laughing. I enjoyed the dysfunctional relationships in the family and even appreciated the inappropriateness of each character. However, I couldn’t stand Judd, an immature man in his 30s who judges people based on their looks, especially women. He pretty much rates every female based on how hot (or not) they are! (Someone here said this book was “dick lit”, I totally agree.) Judd asks for the reader’s sympathy by describing himself as a harmless, nerdy, nice guy (and yes, he may be all of those), but he is no less douche than Wade, a macho jock scumbag, who had an affair with his wife.
hollyclaxton's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
You can see my full review for this book at my blog: https://galaxybunnybooks.blogspot.com/2024/07/book-review-this-is-where-i-leave-you.html
flicker_black's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
2.5 stars
Utter madness, definition of dysfunctional family. Do you know that movie called Hangover? This book was just like that and yet I almost laughed in more than few place which rarely happens, I did have a sort of fun time reading it, it’s like a guilty pleasure but there very more than few times where I was disgusted with what transpired in the book, I thought that every characters are borderline something and should go for at least a decade of therapy and I sure wouldn’t be acquainted with almost of these characters because there is a good chance they they would 1) Steal money from me 2) Sleep with my non existent wife 3) Stab or punch me in the face for some harmless comment I made, I am not even joking when I say this, the characters are so flawed and not just "oh every human is flawed" flawed but major red flag flawed. The ending was meh, and didn't make much of sense to me and the only character that I liked and would've maybe rated the book higher if it was from their POV was the elder brother the MC, he definitely was the most sensible guy among the bunch. So in short, it's a kind of book that you can't much out of (unless you didn't know about the Jewish tradition of sitting Shiva) but can get few laughter out of you if your humor is anything like mine.
Utter madness, definition of dysfunctional family. Do you know that movie called Hangover? This book was just like that and yet I almost laughed in more than few place which rarely happens, I did have a sort of fun time reading it, it’s like a guilty pleasure but there very more than few times where I was disgusted with what transpired in the book, I thought that every characters are borderline something and should go for at least a decade of therapy and I sure wouldn’t be acquainted with almost of these characters because there is a good chance they they would 1) Steal money from me 2) Sleep with my non existent wife 3) Stab or punch me in the face for some harmless comment I made, I am not even joking when I say this, the characters are so flawed and not just "oh every human is flawed" flawed but major red flag flawed. The ending was meh, and didn't make much of sense to me and the only character that I liked and would've maybe rated the book higher if it was from their POV was the elder brother the MC, he definitely was the most sensible guy among the bunch. So in short, it's a kind of book that you can't much out of (unless you didn't know about the Jewish tradition of sitting Shiva) but can get few laughter out of you if your humor is anything like mine.
hereslizz's review against another edition
5.0
The best book I've read so far this year. I picked it up from a list of "books being made into movies" and I always prefer having read the book first...because I'm THAT asshole. People look at me like I have three heads when I tell them I didn't cry while reading Fault in our Stars. I swear I am not a heartless monster but it takes more than a book about cancer that should make everyone cry to make ME cry. The expectation of it all immediate shields my vulnerability. THIS book made me cry quit a few times. And laugh. And frown. And identify. I have a theory now that I am an adult and that theory is that we all come from Crazy. It's how the family deals with dysfunction that makes it Good Crazy or Bad Crazy. While this family is crazy like whoa...the most touching part is how deeply they love one another, despite the fist fights and insults. Great read! Endearing characters, tears of laughter, joy, and sadness. The trifecta. I love this book.
xanderelmore's review against another edition
3.0
So, this was another book which I was excited to read, simply because a movie version of it was out, which I wanted to see. I got this book as was genuinely interested and excited for it.
Overall, it was good, but not great. I found it an enjoyable read, though the book did drag a little in the middle, to me. I liked Tropper's writing style, I found it similar to mine, actually. While I thought the book had very interesting subject material and I thought that it achieved an appropriate atmosphere of depression, regret, and nostalgia; I felt it was somewhat bogged down due to an unexceptional story.
I would have to say though, that my biggest problem with the book was the mother. I felt that including a plot twist of the mother being a bisexual was not needed. Not that I have anything against LGBTQ, but I felt that it was just added on to the end, without appropriate set up, just to create a twist or shock. If this section of the story was removed, along with a few other minor changes, I think it would have been closer to great. A four out of five star rating, instead of 3/5.
Overall, it was good, but not great. I found it an enjoyable read, though the book did drag a little in the middle, to me. I liked Tropper's writing style, I found it similar to mine, actually. While I thought the book had very interesting subject material and I thought that it achieved an appropriate atmosphere of depression, regret, and nostalgia; I felt it was somewhat bogged down due to an unexceptional story.
I would have to say though, that my biggest problem with the book was the mother. I felt that including a plot twist of the mother being a bisexual was not needed. Not that I have anything against LGBTQ, but I felt that it was just added on to the end, without appropriate set up, just to create a twist or shock. If this section of the story was removed, along with a few other minor changes, I think it would have been closer to great. A four out of five star rating, instead of 3/5.