Jonathan Tropper’s new novel This Is Where I Leave You is a witty, sentimental, and absolutely hilarious story of family dysfunction. The Foxman patriarch has just passed away, with the dying wish that his family sit shiva, the Jewish tradition of a week-long period of grief and mourning. It’s been years since the Foxman family members have spent more than a few hours together, much less a few days. Judd Foxman, the second son, is a radio talk-show producer who recently stumbled upon his wife in bed with his now ex-boss. Judd must brave his family all by himself.
In the seven days the family sits shiva, Judd reconnects with his family, a difficult enough task without the added stress of dealing with his soon-to-be-ex wife, who he finds out is pregnant but in love with Wade, the ex-boss, who is impotent. The Foxmans are all, Judd willingly admits, emotionally stunted individuals, yet their deep flaws are charming and hysterical. Everyone clashes spectacularly, and they all have years of experience ticking each other off. This Is Where I Leave You is a wild read about a dysfunctional family, but also about life, death, and a man who is just trying to keep it all together.
