The Book of Joe (edition 2005)

It's really weird that I ended up enjoying this book so much because I basically predicted everything that would happen within the first chapter or two. Yet by the end of it, I still cried a little bit and could relate to quite a few characters in the book. I guess that is the part that matters in the end. ( )

Brief Description: Joe Goffman left his small Connecticut town of Bush Falls after high school and never went back—except in his creative life when he wrote a novel called Bush Falls that is a thinly disguised account of his life growing up in the town. The book was a bestseller and was made into a movie. It also pissed off a lot of people in Bush Falls who didn’t appreciate the way that Joe depicted them. Now Joe’s father is on his death bed, and Joe must return to the Bush Falls and face the consequences of his book, his abandonment of the people he left behind and the choices he made in the past. He’s also forced to confront the writer’s block he’s faced since Bush Falls was published.

My Thoughts: I’ve been wanting to read another Tropper book ever since falling in love with This Is Where I Leave You. Although I didn’t think The Book of Joe was as strong as This Is Where I Leave You, it deals with many of the same themes: loss of a parent, reconciling with the past, family dysfunction and regret. Tropper is a master of putting his protagnoists in horrible uncomfortable situations and having them twist and turn (often very amusingly) until they are able to grow and mature and finally deal with all the crap they’ve ignored for too long. I enjoy how Tropper is really writing tragedies but gives them a comedic edge that keeps you laughing. It is difficult to straddle this line, but Tropper does it skillfully. I’m definitely going to continue reading his books. ( )

Basically, awesome. Tackles real life stuff (AIDS, death, suicide, attempted murder). But, it does it in such a way that you don't feel sorry for the characters. You relate to them and imagine that is how you would be able to deal with such heavy stuff.
A love story. A hate story. A friendship story. A growing up story. A happy story. A heartbreaking story.
All around, I definitely like this author, Jonathan Tropper. I will be reading more of his stuff for sure. ( )

The book of Joe is the story of Joe Goffman, an author who writes a book that thinly veils the residents of his hometown. He never expects to be back, but circumstances have led him home. I found this book to be funny and poignant. It was recommended by Books on the Nightstand. Good read! ( )

I really loved this book! It was filled with the type of self deprecating humor I love. Also,very real,honest emotions expressed by a typical,sometimes cluless 34 year old guy!
There were a few scenes where I had to "suspend reality" and I wondered if they were done with a future movie in mind! Despite this it was a vey enjoyable read. ( )