This is Where I Leave You - 10/12/10 (Spoilers)

[JeffKamin]

Feel free to start the discussion here. I'm still reading it.

[MHerman39]

As of 40 pages into the book, I'm reading it as though it is supposed to be funny instead of letting it go one way or the other. My critique of this book will depend on its ability or inability to be funny. I've found it rather boring otherwise.

Right now I'm getting the feeling it's a comedy of manners and am tracking it down in that way. Thoughts?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedy_of_manners

[JeffKamin]

I loved it. It made me laugh and feel something more, but it deals with themes and issues I can relate to which may help or hinder your enjoyment. Families, brotherhood, fatherhood, children, approaching middle-age, etc. More soon, but everyone I know that has finished it so far has liked it or loved it.

[Carter]

I liked it quite a bit at the start and found it geniunely funny (as opposed to books where the author just thinks he's funny). It started to wear out its welcome, though, as I began to feel that instead of depth of insight, Tropper opted to layer as many crises as he could imagine into the story. I was reminded of one of those strategy video games where you try to mass produce military units as fast as possible, then send them in one giant wave to crush your opponent. I felt crushed by the onslaught of ex-girlfriends with luscious thighs with a flame still burning, mothers with ongoing lesbian affairs, brain-damaged ex-boyfriends with a flame still burning, shoulders destroyed by viscious dogs, wives who cheated with their spouse's boss, said bosses offering pay raises despite the cake frosting still shoved up their ass, sisters-in-law looking to be impregnated by brothers-in-law, etc.

So much for nuance.

That said, it was a pretty good read. As De Niro's character would say in "Wag the Dog", "It's a pageant."