This is Where I Leave You

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www.jonathantrooper.com

This is Where I Leave You
Jonathan Trooper
2010

The Summary
After learning of the death of his father, Judd Foxman has reluctantly agreed to sit shiva and mourn, spending seven full days and nights in his childhood home - with the rest of his dysfunctional family.

But more than coping with the loss of his distant and enigmatic father, Judd must come to terms with his wife's infidelity (with his boss), his impending role as a father, and old memories and feelings that can never seem to leave well enough alone.

For Judd and his family, seven days might just last a lifetime.

The Good
Jonathan Trooper presents a seriously compelling and enjoyable novel that is simultaneously well-written and brilliantly executed.  Packed with interesting - and occasionally absurd - characters, Trooper fabricates a novel of incredible depth and emotion that will leave you glued to the pages.

More importantly, Trooper creates a curiously gripping and hilariously funny narrator for his novel.  His character, Judd Foxman, manages to weave a compelling story about life, love, divorce, memory, and family that reveals just how complicated even the strongest bonds can be.

In fact, according to Judd, people are simply made faulty and they are broken and, more often, they are absolutely crazy.  Judd's family and friends are no exception to the rule.  Despite their obvious faults, however, these people are shockingly real and raw and endearing, if only more than a little absurd, and help create a unique experience in This is Where I Leave You.

The Bad
Judd's story bares all and tells all, which means his deepest secrets and his most embarrassing moments will be on display for you to see, including the fact that he walked in on his boss and wife during their affair - and subsequently set his boss on fire with a birthday cake.

It's also important to mention that his mother is a psychotherapist with little to no discretion when it comes to discussing private matters - and Judd's family, like many, is a highly dysfunctional unit.  They swear, they drink, they smoke, and they generally manage to make a spectacle (Judd included).

The Ugly
Not all memories are good and wholesome.  For Judd, some of the most hurtful things said and done occur in the presence of the ones he loves most.