"Dad's dead," Wendy says offhandedly, like its happened before, like it happens every day. It can be grating, this act of hers, to be utterly unfazed at all times, even in the face of tragedy. "He died two hours ago."
"How's Mom doing?"
"She's Mom, you know? She wanted to know how much to tip the coroner."
This is Where I Leave You
by Jonathan Tropper
How's that for an opening? Would you keep reading? I'll tell you right now, you'd be very wrong if you didn't.
Although I finished the book last week, this opening is too good not to share. We're off to New York City tomorrow, so the review will have to wait until next week. In the meantime, I'll just say I loved this book. Haven't laughed this hard in ages...
Tuesday Intro is hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea.
It's been more than a year since I read this book and I still remember laughing out loud. It seems so wrong to find a book about a parent's death hilarious, but it really was. I guess it's because it's the family that was hilarious, not the dying part.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! I laughed until I cried with this one!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn....this book was a riot to read. I hope you end up enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteThat opening stuck with me:)
OMG I adored this book. I laughed out loud, too, many times! Hilarious, and bittersweet, too!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was hilarious too. It struck me as one of those books that, in the wrong hands, would have been a hot mess.
ReplyDeleteI'd would keep reading! It does sound very funny.
ReplyDeleteThat opening line made me chuckle. This one was on my radar for awhile and then I forgot about it. Thanks for bringing it back to my attention!
ReplyDeleteI've seen this book around the blogosphere so often and now I've read the opening, so I should just buy it already and add it to my TBR shelf.
ReplyDeleteSounds great :)
I loved this book...some of the scenes made me laugh so hard! My husband read it just because of how much I laughed. But it's well written and a good story, too. She's quite a mother, uh?!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy NYC!
Karen K. - A funny book about a parent's death seems so wrong, but this works so well!
ReplyDeleteRhapsodyinbooks - Don't think I've ever laughed so hard at a book!
Diane - I loved it!
Marie - Exactly! Such a wonderful book...
Amy - You're right. This could have been a disaster with a less talented writer.
Nise' - I highly recommend this one. Save it for a time when you want (or need) to laugh.
Reviewsbylola - This definitely needs to be back on your radar!
Trish - You won't regret adding this to the pile!
Amy - Oh, that mother! What a piece of work!! We're taking the twins with us to NYC this time. One of them has never been, so lots of touristy things for a couple of days. Looking forward to seeing Daughter #1, too.
Oh yeah, I'd keep reading for sure. Sounds kinda like my family (except for the tipping thing).
ReplyDeleteI would continue on..I need to meet this crazy sounding mother!
ReplyDeleteAwkward but intriguing.
ReplyDeleteSoftdrink - I'm kind of surprised you haven't read this one... I think you'd LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteStaci - The book is worth reading for the mother alone, lol!
Mystica - Exactly! It's a very funny book.
I'm glad you said this book made you laugh. The opening made me think it was going to be filled with dismal people. I look forward to your review.
ReplyDeleteMargot - The subject matter really could make for a dismal book, but this author makes it surprisingly funny (at times in a bittersweet way).
ReplyDeleteBetween the quote and the comments I think I need to add it to my list too, no?
ReplyDeleteI love this book and am so glad you enjoyed it too!
ReplyDeleteNow that opening sounds too good to miss. I'll add to my list.
ReplyDelete