One Last Thing Before I Go

Five hours in the car and I was truly sad to hear the last of him, even replayed the ending. Death is around us and changes us but not until it feels real enough. The story is a little movie-structured, but feels honest enough. It's not action packed or even startling with big changes - it's just, well - "true" feeling. The read from John Shea feels spot on and really let's you feel for the guy despite his obvious issues. I confess, I didn't think I'd like it. Then I found myself liking it enough to want to keep following him and find out how he made out with the rest of his life. Nice.

I devour audio books and have read a ton, from David Sedaris to David Halberstam. Jonathan Tropper is one of my favorite authors, for his contemporary voice and incisive views into human foibles. I loved, loved, loved, this book. It drew me in from the first sentence. I got to the point where I didn't want to listen becaues I knew the ending would come sooner than I wanted.

I love the idea of this middle-aged loser, so sweet and basically kind, but so lost. And how he finds his way. The way we all want to find ours. This book is also funny, even laugh-out-loud funny in places.

I'm not sure if I've heard this narrator before, but he did an outstanding job.There is a very fine line between giving one's characters unique voices--or ruining the listener's experience by giving secondary characters weird voices that stand out and destroy the book. Shea navigated this line with aplomb. I enjoyed his narration tremendously.

I laughed, I cried. I have "liked" it on FB. I want all my friends to read it. I want the world to read it! My husband, who tends to stick to thrillers by Baldacci, Demille, Grisham, Coben and Child) read this book. And LOVED it! It's a book that everyone can enjoy and gain something from.

I stumbled on Jonathan Tropper by accident, but what a happy accident it was. I've read all his books and think this one might be my favorite. I loved the writing so much, I have put all my other Tropper books back on my iPod for a second listen.

Drew Silver passes out and wakes in the hospital to learn he must undergo emergency surgery or die. He decides against the surgery. The story follows Silver, a former rock star, over the course of the following week as he learns his teen-aged daughter is pregnant and we learn that he is still madly in love with his ex-wife who is about to marry his doctor. Silver realizes time has moved too fast, and at the same time not at all. Like the universe had been on pause. So, a lot of serious stuff. Broken heart literally, broken heart figuratively, and an unplanned pregnancy. And it is told in the form of a sitcom. It is hilarious. I have never read a comedy before. The book gives you some things to think about in your own life and offers a laugh. Another reader mentioned that the book gets off to a slow start, and I agree. Didn’t know if I would continue, but after about an hour it really gets going. Stick with it.

This book was definitely enhanced by being in audio version. The narrator sounds a lot like Garrison Keillor, which is a good thing, in my estimation.

I almost ditched the book after listening to the first 40 minutes or so. I couldn't seem to connect to the characters, and it just didn't grab me. Not too much later, I was in love with the book. The plot premise was intriguing: the protagonist, a royal screw-up in life, faces a decision about his own death. As the book progressed, I couldn't wait to hear what would happen next. The dry humor of the author crept up on me, and his mercilessly clear yet mercifully understanding approach to the characters rang true. The author has an eye for multifaceted human beings, deeply flawed and yet somehow familiar and engaging. Once I started enjoying this book, I feel in love with it and couldn't wait to hear the next installment.

Listened to it on a car ride, it was a good story but somewhat perdictable.

no

Made me laugh in spots.

This was not my favorite by Jonathan Tropper, but still worth the listen. The narration was great and kept me listening. The story was a great blend of sad and funny. The only thing I didn't like is that I couldn't really connect with any of the characters. I've read almost everything by Tropper and usually find myself sympathizing with his characters. This time i just hated all of them. That being said, the book was still touching in parts and made me laugh. I'd definitely recommend it.

Different narrator. The book is hardly in the class with Tropper's others, but still his skill for describing every day events in a way that these things actually happen makes his stories awfully appealing.

Though I've never understood the appeal of listening to 8or more hours of raspy diction, I have dealt with it. Add the wheezy element, though, and i feel as if i might as well be listening to a feeble Burl Ives narrate a B'rer Rabbit tale. I concur with some reviewers that relatively mild tonal variations for various speakers is always a plus, although listening to an 18 year old girl who sounds like Burl Ives is disconcerting.

It's real, ugly & painful, yet still beautiful. Just like life, not always what we expect, but worth it!

Casey, definitely the bright light and redeeming character that brings everyone else together.

Absolutely!

The richness and brokenness of the characters.

Any scene where the main character doesn't realize he's speaking out loud. I can just feel the humiliation when he realizes it and the wistfulness about not being able to say what one really feels.

I would deny it if someone I know asked me, but just between us, I love this guy's books. They are slick, witty, superficial yet somehow meaningful in a Nicholas Sparks (but with an intellect) sort of way. I loved The Book of Joe and This is Where I Leave You. But what's up with these narrators? Are they just...affordable? Tropper deserves more than this. Scott Brick should have read all of his books. Tropper has earned that.