This is Where I Leave You

by Jonathan Tropper
This is Where I Leave You cover
Good Books rating 3.0
Contemporary Fiction
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Paperback • £10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 4290
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9781409107057
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2010-01-21
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Judd Foxman's life takes a dramatic turn when he walks in on his wife cheating on him, leading to divorce and unemployment. His misery deepens with the sudden death of his father, forcing him to return to his childhood home for a week of Shiva with his estranged siblings. This Is Where I Leave You is a poignant and humorous exploration of family dynamics, loss, and self-discovery, blending laughter and tears in a way only Jonathan Tropper can deliver. As Judd navigates the chaos of his family's dysfunction, he begins to uncover truths about himself and his relationships. The novel is a powerful blend of comedy and drama, showcasing Tropper's ability to tackle serious themes with wit and heart. Adapted into a major Hollywood film, this story promises an emotional journey that will leave readers both entertained and deeply moved.

Reviews
Postcards from Purgatory · Bethany · 2015-04-05
disappointing 1.00

The reviewer finds the novel implausible and criticizes the nonstop sex and violence, as well as the unrealistic behavior of the children.

Bethany from Postcards from Purgatory has a very critical view of Jonathan Tropper's novel. She finds the book to be a disaster, citing the nonstop implausible sex and violence as major flaws. The behavior of the children in the story is also criticized as unrealistic and out of place. Bethany's overall sentiment is negative, and she expresses disappointment with the book's execution and character development.

Quick quotes

    Where to begin in my review of this disaster of a novel?

    With the nonstop implausible sex and violence?

    With the children who speak and act like adults?

1shelflife.wordpress.com · 2013-01-21
great 4.50

The book is praised for its dark humor and the author's brilliant writing style. The narrative is engaging and the humor is described as dark and black.

The reviewer from 1shelflife.wordpress.com describes Jonathan Tropper as a casually brilliant author, highlighting his unique writing style that makes the book hard to put down. The humor in the novel is noted as being of a dark, black variety, which adds a layer of complexity to the story. The reviewer enjoyed the engaging narrative and the way Tropper balances dark humor with poignant moments, making the book both entertaining and thought-provoking. The overall sentiment is positive, with the reviewer expressing a strong appreciation for Tropper's work.

Quick quotes

    Jonathan Tropper is a casually brilliant author and this is a book that I simply did not want to end.

    The humour is of a dark black variety and I just could not put this book down.

    Tropper's writing style is engaging and makes the book hard to put down.

The New York Times · Janet Maslin · 2009-08-12
balanced 3.50

The dialogue is sharp and engaging, but the emotional depth provided by the father's death gives the book its weight. The narrative balances humor with poignant moments effectively.

Janet Maslin from The New York Times highlights the fast-paced and fresh dialogue in Jonathan Tropper's novel, which keeps the reader engaged. She appreciates how the book doesn't shy away from the heavier themes, using the father's death as a significant emotional anchor. The humor is well-placed, but it's the poignant moments that truly resonate, making the story both entertaining and deeply moving. Maslin finds that the book's strength lies in its ability to balance these elements, creating a narrative that is both funny and heartfelt.

Quick quotes

    Mr. Tropper's dialogue here is fast and fresh, his book also has ballast.

    The death of a father would seem to provide that...

    The humor is well-placed, but it's the poignant moments that truly resonate.

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