THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU (Jonathan Tropper) - October 5/09

Another stellar, truthful effort from Jonathan Tropper, This Is Where I Leave You boasts a typically engaging protagonist as he's forced to re-evaluate his life in the wake of his father's death and his wife's adultery. Though the book does contain several less-than-enthralling moments revolving around the technical aspects of the Jewish wake, there's plenty here that kept me entertained and moved - with the highlight being the central character's ongoing efforts at struggling with his wife and also his rekindled friendship/relationship with childhood crush Penny. The proliferation of astoundingly well-developed periphery characters cements the book's success, although I did find the vague conclusion a little frustrating (did he wind up with Jen or with Penny?) ***1/2 out of ****