Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of This Is Where I Leave You

This Is Where I Leave You
This Is Where I Leave You
Author: Jonathan Tropper
ISBN-13: 9780525951278
ISBN-10: 052595127X
Publication Date: 8/6/2009
Pages: 352
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 53

4.1 stars, based on 53 ratings
Publisher: Dutton Adult
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

22 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
A very enjoyable read. An interesting dysfunctional family saga. Definitely "Request" this book, but I'm keeping mine.
sfc95 avatar reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 686 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I really enjoyed this book, it is funny, real and it truly does feel alot like "family." It goes very quickly, it is written in short chapters.
AZmom875 avatar reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 624 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Have you ever read a book and when it was done you were still not sure what you thought of it? This is a book written by a man but I am not really sure this a book a man would enjoy. It was about a man who is confused, and I dont see many men really wanting to read about that like women like to read about women being confused and finding themselves after there husbands leave them.

This is a book about a man and clearly written by a man. As a woman sometimes, I find the writing about the male mentality, and sex drive, honest but blunt. I think the author honestly portrays how men think and feel, and he can write some really honest dialogue that I could see happening in my own home. Snarky, honest ,biting humor and digs.

Our main character's dad dies, and on his deathbed, requests that his family do a SHIVA or 7 days of mourning together in New York. Paul is 17 months older than JUDD the main character, and Wendy his sister is about 2 years younger then there is Philip who is 9 years younger. So as you can guess, the whole family is dysfunctional as the dad and mother were very absent parents.

Right before his the Fathers death, Judd walks in on his Wife, having sex with Judd's Boss, plus she is pregnant. His life is a mess, but so are the lives of siblings. Paul is trying to get his wife Alice, pregnant, Philip is dating a woman much older than him who used to be his Therapist, and Wendy's Husband Barry, is in high finance, and ignores his 3 kids. These 4 adult-kid's mother is an author of a parenting book, and dresses like a sluttly cougar, and has fake D sized boobs. Being this close in proximity for 7 days is doing to do a lot of damage and a lot of healing. It wont all end a pretty little package, so actually that is a plus for this book, cause life goes on and real family issues dont get resolved in 7 days of proximity.

Overall I would say this is a book not to miss, cause it will have you thinking about some of the truths long after they drive off into the sunset.
isitfriday avatar reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 170 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I loved this book! Jonathan Tropper's writing style is fantastic, very witty and fun, while dealing with pretty heavy issues. this book of a dysfunctional east coast family is great, i loved it. (so did my husband) looking forward to other Tropper books- i hear they are making this one into a movie!
JoyReadsLots avatar reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 51 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A funny and fast read. I think at times his obsession with sexual fantasies was a bit much, but then again, it did make for some funny scenes. I certainly found myself laughing and often reading passages to my husband. I can't say that i felt much pity for any of the characters, as they were all a bit self absorbed, but a good read.
reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on
Helpful Score: 2
Funniest book I have ever read - will be made into a very funny movie.
NancyAZ avatar reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 95 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book is so funny! I was reading parts to my husband just to share the humor. I loved it! The writing is spectacular, the storyline is interesting and it has a good ending as well. I highly recommend!
patsyjean avatar reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
very good, in general,,,as another reviewer said::"Some sharp observations about disappointment and growing up and loss." But the very graphic descriptions made it hard to keep going at the beginning.
loregess avatar reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 175 more book reviews
This book was such a fast read because the dialogue between the family members is very realistic. The characters are so well developed that I felt like I knew each one of them personally. I didn't want the story to end at all. Though it's more like 3.75, I give the book a full 4 stars for the witty one-liners.
sharonc9630 avatar reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 63 more book reviews
Amazing book! I enjoyed it so much. The characters lead you into story after story within the book.
reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 213 more book reviews
I thought this book was absolutely hilarious. It sounds just like my family. What a fun vacation read!
Readnmachine avatar reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 1474 more book reviews
A wildly dysfunctional family reluctantly gathers to sit shiva for their late father, with complications both blackly humorous and sad. Old wounds are reopened, punches are thrown, unlikely or unwise sexual liaisons are accomplished. That Tropper manages to make any of this funny is little short of miraculous, but there are also tedious segments to endure. Rather like the seven days of mourning, I suppose.
reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 4 more book reviews
I discovered Tropper's work when I ran across The Book of Joe in a used book store. I immediately obtained the rest of his novels, ending with This is Where I leave you. It turned out to be my favorite. Great characters. Funny, yet thoughtful. Though Tropper's books all sort of revolve around similar characters, the characters in TIWILY felt more fleshed out; fuller.
reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 5 more book reviews
Loved it. Great writing. Def want to read more of his books.
reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on
I loved this book.
reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 48 more book reviews
Eh, it was okay. I had higher hopes, but oh well. Okay story, predicable at times, slow moving throughout. Time to go see the movie, hopefully it's more entertaining than the book.
read4free avatar reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 3 more book reviews
Great read!
IntrepidOne avatar reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 157 more book reviews
I love the writing, the snarky and witty dialogue is strangely similar to the things I say in my own head. Although written by a man, this is a book I think would be more enjoyed by women.

I really enjoyed this book, and will be mailing it to my sister. Our own father died 3 years ago, and since that time I have been seeing the brokenness that is caused simply because children grow into adults. Maybe she will have a soft spot for this book the same as I do.

So, I do recommend this book highly. I tore through it in 3 or 4 days. Pretty fast for me.
reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 32 more book reviews
Very funny
reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 70 more book reviews
A very humorous book - I found myself laughing aloud at times. You will enjoy many of the characters in this disfunctional family.
reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 36 more book reviews
Crass and offensive. The plot was so slow that I ended up throwing the book away after my cat threw up on it. I found that act to be somewhat appropriate.
reviewed This Is Where I Leave You on + 227 more book reviews
It was OK.