HOW TO TALK TO A WIDOWER (Jonathan Tropper) - February 29/08

Another stellar effort from Jonathan Tropper. This one, revolving around a man whose older wife died a year ago, mines many of the same themes and topics as Everything Changes, and while it's not quite as effortlessly sublime as that novel, it's still a hell of an entertaining read. Tropper does such a good job of establishing a whole host of memorable supporting characters, though - of course - it's the central figure who effectively holds the viewer's interest throughout. Tropper even refuses to end things with a tidy little bow - ie Doug and Brooke don't actually get together, though it's implied that they will - and it's completely clear that the author is easily one of the most talented of his generation (he's that rare writer whose work I can actually relate to). ***1/2 out of ****