Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by stacia_reads
This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper
4.0
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
My full review: http://rhymeswithcroatia.com/book-review-this-is-where-i-leave-you-by-jonathan-tropper/
The book is both funny and sad, intermingling the sappy moments with irreverent humor and awkward remarks that seem appropriate to a dysfunctional family dynamic. Despite his death in the opening of the story, father Mort is a strong character in as every remembers him and tries to grow up in his absence. I also enjoyed the authentic feel to the family relationships – they were flawed but real. They had each others’ back, especially against outsiders, but things weren’t warm and fuzzy. Even a couple of long-standing issues that were able to come to a resolution were done so hesitantly and out of necessity, in a way that indicated all parties involved felt uneasy about the longevity of the truce.
But then the ending of the book (again, no spoilers) seems to undo any of the character growth shown for Judd. The book starts with him losing his father just after losing his wife and the job he loved. He’s had a terrible series of events and it’s almost enough to make you excuse some of his poor behavior. Almost. Then you see hints of redemption. However, the end of the book left me unsatisfied, as if that growth had been undone.
My full review: http://rhymeswithcroatia.com/book-review-this-is-where-i-leave-you-by-jonathan-tropper/
The book is both funny and sad, intermingling the sappy moments with irreverent humor and awkward remarks that seem appropriate to a dysfunctional family dynamic. Despite his death in the opening of the story, father Mort is a strong character in as every remembers him and tries to grow up in his absence. I also enjoyed the authentic feel to the family relationships – they were flawed but real. They had each others’ back, especially against outsiders, but things weren’t warm and fuzzy. Even a couple of long-standing issues that were able to come to a resolution were done so hesitantly and out of necessity, in a way that indicated all parties involved felt uneasy about the longevity of the truce.
But then the ending of the book (again, no spoilers) seems to undo any of the character growth shown for Judd. The book starts with him losing his father just after losing his wife and the job he loved. He’s had a terrible series of events and it’s almost enough to make you excuse some of his poor behavior. Almost. Then you see hints of redemption. However, the end of the book left me unsatisfied, as if that growth had been undone.