This is Where I Leave You

Jonathan Trooper has created a likeable, vulnerable, wounded character with his realistic family member, Judd Foxman. The family has just buried thier father and husband, and the father's dying wish was for his children to sit shiva for him.This ancient Jewish tradition gives a chance for the mourners to come to the home of the departed and offer their condolances to the family. This dysfunctional family hasn't seen much of each other, and putting them all in one house for a little more than a week is going to be more than anyone can really imagine, wrap their heads around, or just endure. But, life is funny, sometimes the impossible is really an answer to prayer, and this book gives us a week with the Foxmans, through Judd's eyes. Laugh out loud funny in parts, sensitive and sad in others, it is all about how life is messy, but hey, its the only one we've got. Reminisent of Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo, I give it a thumbs up, but be forewarned, there is a lot of foul language and plenty of sex.