One Last Thing Before I Go

By: Jonathan Tropper

Narrated by: John Shea

Following the New York Times bestseller This Is Where I Leave You, Jonathan Tropper’s latest novel is a moving, funny look at one broken family’s attempt to reconnect—without destroying each other in the process.
Silver has begun to accept that life isn’t going to turn out as he expected. His ex-wife is about to marry a terrific guy Silver can’t quite bring himself to hate. And his Princeton-bound teenage daughter Casey has just confided in him that she’s pregnant—because he’s the one she cares least about letting down. With the wedding looming and Casey in crisis, this broken family struggles, bonds, and comes together only to risk damaging each other even more. Lives begin anew, change radically, or in Silver’s case—as he discovers that he could die at any moment without an operation he refuses to have—may be about to end in an instant.

One Last Thing Before I Go demonstrates yet again Tropper’s deft touch with the darkest of materials and his ability to make readers laugh out loud in one paragraph and move them to tears in the next.

Critic reviews

"Tropper’s characters are likably zany and fallible, and perhaps more important, funny. One Last Thing Before I Go is a poignant story about facing death and celebrating life, even when things seem well beyond repair." --Newsweek/The Daily Beast on One Last Thing Before I Go

"The richly talented Tropper (This Is Where I Leave You) has created an acerbic, middle-aged lost soul who will ultimately illuminate the reasons we stick around on this lopsided planet despite significant temptation to let it go. Readers will love Silver and want to throttle him in equal measure. Eminently quotable, hilariously funny, and emotionally draining, this arresting tour de force will entertain well after the book is done." -Library Journal (starred review) on One Last Thing Before I Go

“…a bristling, witty tale of woe that'll make you appreciate whatever good things, no matter how few, have come your way.” –Entertainment Weekly on One Last Thing Before I Go

DIDN'T WANT IT TO END!

Where does One Last Thing Before I Go rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

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.

What did you like best about this story?

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.

Have you listened to any of John Shea’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

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.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

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.

Any additional comments?

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.

Good Listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

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

Have you listened to any of John Shea’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me laugh in spots.

Just a wonderful book.

As you listen to this book you can't help but start to feel that you know this main character like a friend and when the book ends you feel as if you've lost one. I couldn't stop listening and rooting for him the entire time. You'll grieve when it's over.

Rye and real

A wonderful and engaging listen.. great characters and a hilarious take on the modern family.

Tropper Always Makes Me Laugh

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.