In fact, the entire time I was reading this book I had the sense that Tropper wrote it with the goal of getting optioned, and that kind of pisses me off. I just learned that this book is being adapted for film, and this comes as no surprise to me. It seems to me that Tropper doesn't know about any of that and therefore couldn't write about it. Apart from a few scattered 'I miss Dad''s, there's no believable, relatable sign of grief, of real loss, of the myriad ramifications and changes that are set into motion when one loses a parent and that you can't know about until it happens to you. I also wonder if the author has really experienced the death of a parent, as the characters in this book have. There was a lot of wize-cracking and mutual disrespect and dismissiveness, but none of it came across as at all genuine or charming. And the characterization was flat, the characters all cardboard cutouts stuffed into traditional family pigeon holes.

But aside from that there was a very one-dimensional quality to the dialogue - families, siblings in particular, just don't talk to each other the way they do in this book. The observations about life are what's best about this book. And I really appreciate that and am glad I read this book for that alone.

Some sharp observations about disappointment and growing up and loss and fucking up that leaped off the page. Sign me up.įor sure there was some great language in here. The book promised to be witty and biting, an unforgiving look at family dynamic. And in reading the dust jacket flap, I was immediately drawn in by the idea of the book: a family - four siblings - mourning the death of their father, coming together for seven days to sit shiva. I picked up this book on the recommendation of an acquaintance whose taste I trust. NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING JASON BATEMAN, TINA FEY, JANE FONDA, AND ADAM DRIVER a more sincere, insightful version of Nick Hornby, that other master of male psyche.”-USA Today “Often sidesplitting, mostly heartbreaking. Then Jen delivers the clincher: she's pregnant. The week quickly spins out of control as longstanding grudges resurface, secrets are revealed and old passions are reawakened. Simultaneously mourning the demise of his father and his marriage, Judd joins his dysfunctional family as they reluctantly sit shiva and spend seven days and nights under the same roof. There is, however, one conspicuous absence: Judd's wife, Jen, whose affair with his radio- shock-jock boss has recently become painfully public. The death of Judd Foxman’s father marks the first time that the entire Foxman clan has congregated in years. A riotously funny, emotionally raw New York Times bestselling novel about love, marriage, divorce, family, and the ties that bind-whether we like it or not.

This is where i leave you author