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This Is The Way I Leave You ~ A Laugh Out Loud Read

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While being caught smoking weed at Kaddish (a religious ceremony to celebrate the live of their newly deceased father), Judd’s sister jokes with him and their two other brothers, “You guys are so going to hell!”

Seriously, this was just one of many lines and times in the book, This Is The Way I Leave You, by Jonathan Tropper, that had me laughing so hard I was wiping tears from my face.

This Is Where I Leave You

What Does Goodread’s Have to Say:

The death of Judd Foxman’s father marks the first time that the entire Foxman family—including Judd’s mother, brothers, and sister—have been together in years. Conspicuously absent: Judd’s wife, Jen, whose fourteen-month affair with Judd’s radio-shock-jock boss has recently become painfully public.
Simultaneously mourning the death of his father and the demise of his marriage, Judd joins the rest of the Foxmans as they reluctantly submit to their patriarch’s dying request: to spend the seven days following the funeral together. In the same house. Like a family.
As the week quickly spins out of control, longstanding grudges resurface, secrets are revealed, and old passions reawakened. For Judd, it’s a weeklong attempt to make sense of the mess his life has become while trying in vain not to get sucked into the regressive battles of his madly dysfunctional family. All of which would be hard enough without the bomb Jen dropped the day Judd’s father died: She’s pregnant.
This Is Where I Leave You is Jonathan Tropper’s most accomplished work to date, a riotously funny, emotionally raw novel about love, marriage, divorce, family, and the ties that bind—whether we like it or not.

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So what are my thoughts:

Refreshingly humorous from start to end even in the light of the fact that the story revolves around the fact that Judd and his siblings are coming together to public indeed morn their father. The first sentence is just one of many occasions in the book that the author treats the reader to these laugh out loud moments.

And after reading many books that have had an overlying theme of loss and even making me cry the saddest of tears, such as Me Before You or The Fault in Our Stars, it was honestly a pure delight to read a book that was generously laden with appropriate and amazing comedic timing.

Even as early in the story, as Judd finding out his wife did indeed cheat on him with his shock joke radio boss (can’t help but think of Howard Stern here), we are treated to how he found them together in fact doing the deed, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.  See in most scenarios, you would feel sorry for this poor guy, but you can’t help, but love how he handled the situation with a lit birthday cake.  Trust me, you do not want to miss this one.

The main character and his family are definitely dysfunctional (his two brothers, sister, mother and deceased father, too), but then again who in this day and age isn’t just even slightly?  Ask my friend, Bill, who writes a whole blog about this, here.  Make no mistake there is a lot of dysfunction out their roaming around in all our lives, which Bill indeed blogs all about by doing this topic justice.

Bill Writes All About Dysfunction Over at The Dysfunctional Playhouse

And then does this book with serving us just the right amount of dysfunction that we can all relate on some level or another.  Even if you can relate, you can empathize, as well as just can’t help but laugh on cue with the main character’s plight.

Take it from me, I truly didn’t want this one to end and am now so excited to see the big screen version (when it comes out) with Jason Bateman and Tina Fey when it is released later in the year now.  Most times the book is always better then the movie, but still I have hope that movie adapt will live up to the book counterpart.  Either way, I will definitely being seeing this one when it comes out to compare and contrast.

Tina Fey and Jason Bateman Starring in the Film Version

My final thoughts though are to definitely recommend this to read, whether you plan on seeing the movie or not.  I would say read the book before though if will be seeing the movie version, because you seriously can’t go wrong with it.

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Sandy_Ramsey says

    I have this on my list already and love this review. It makes me want to move it up the list but I have other books I'm obligated to read first! Thanks again for a great review! BTW, I love the new Alex & Ani Color Crush collection. Perfect for Spring and Summer 🙂
    My recent post Did She Drink Too Much? Or….Say What You Need To Say – Writer B Is Me

    • Janine Huldie says

      Totally understand and believe me I had a list a mile long with obligations for reading, but am getting to it slowly but surely here, too. But so hope you enjoy this when you get to read it now, too. And I know their new collection is really so much fun and had to share here 🙂

  4. Billybuc says

    Well I am honored that you mentioned me. Thank you so much, Janine! I feel elite. 🙂 As for the book, it sounds like fun, and if Tina Fey is in the movie then I am there.

    Thank you again dear friend and have a fantastic day.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Bill, it was absolutely my pleasure to mention you here today and seriously you know by now how much I truly value your opinion on this topic and so much more. Thank you for always being just you and wishing you a wonderful day ahead now once again! 🙂

  5. Karen says

    okay adding this to my goodreads list….so far the books you have recommended have NOT let me down. I LOVE when a book you love is made into a movie. I can't wait for Flynn's Gone Girl to come out in theaters.
    My recent post I Just Finished Reading…

    • Janine Huldie says

      So glad you are adding to your Goodreads list and can't wait to hear what you think about it when you read now. And you know I still have to read Gone Girl, which is on my list. Hopefully soon 🙂

  6. Diane Roark says

    Janine,

    I enjoyed reading your review. You always do a wonderful job.
    Blessings,
    Diane Roark

    My recent post Best Breakfast Burrito – Tator Tots, Eggs, Bacon & Sausage Gravy

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thank you so much Diane and I love doing these book reviews, because truly a fun past time for me. So, I like to be able to share my thoughts on what I am indeed reading here.

  8. themomcafe says

    WOW this book sounds absolutely amazing!!! I love comedy and perfect timing within the bounds of suffering… I think there is so much power and healing in that, ya know? For some reason, probably because of the sensitivity of things- a dry joke can trigger soul shaking laughter. This book reminds me of all those movies that were major hits- where the dysfunctional family/friends reunites over a death. What was that rockstar 80's one again? AH! My mind is frozen. It will come as soon as I hit 'submit'.

    Well, I bet this movie will be the same hit. And I could always go for some of Jason Bateman- ooh la la. 😉
    My recent post Are You Feeling STRETCHED?

    • Janine Huldie says

      Me too about Jason Bateman and I think you are talking about Home for the Holidays (I just loved that movie, too). And I with you on needing a dry joke from a great comedy book or movie to do the trick sometimes. Seriously, do hope you read this and if you do let me know what you think 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Please don't get me started on that one. I do love my in-laws, but too much togetherness with any family just can be a bit of an overload I suppose.

  12. day-with-kt.com says

    Oh good – I will add this to my Good Reads list. Maybe this summer I will start to catch up to my reading list!
    My recent post Am I Still a Fitness Blogger?

    • Janine Huldie says

      Same here about the movie and Tina Fey. And I also love Jason Bateman, so that doesn’t hurt either for this movie in my eyes 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Again my twin, I too love Jason Bateman and I am so glad I read the book, because I definitely will be seeing this movie now and hope you can do the same 🙂

  18. stephrufa says

    Two of my favorite actors! I'm definitely going to read this before I see it, it sounds really funny. I'm in the middle of the Stardust book you previously reviewed, I have mixed feelings. I think as a mom you can't help it – it's a fairly tough subject matter. It's good, but tough.
    My recent post Favorite Live Songs for Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday

    • Janine Huldie says

      I very much agree about Stardust and on being a mom when reading it. Think that is what it stuck with me even more so, but truly do hope you read this book now and the movie does sound like it is going to be a fun watch, too 🙂

  19. gigigirl says

    Since I know I won't read the book, I'll make a note to see the movie. Sounds like a fun time. xxoo

    • Janine Huldie says

      Hope you do get to see it when it comes out and also do very much hope to get to se it, too 🙂

  20. lizzy says

    Isn't it so lovely to just find a book that is pure and simple fun? I love that feeling of enjoying a book so much that you just don't want it to end! Great review, Janine 🙂

  21. expressbusmama says

    Sounds like a great read. I love books that look at realities of family life in a fun and sometimes distorted way. I've seen this book advertised but now I'll have to check it out. This would be a great book for my book club.
    My recent post Classy Cocktails: The Pink Lady Slipper

    • Janine Huldie says

      I hope you get to read it now and I do agree that it would be an awesome book clue read 🙂

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