This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper Book Before Film Club with Warner Bros

This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.

Last month we shared our excitement about the upcoming film adaptation of Jonathan Tropper’s novel This Is Where I Leave You, in cinemas on September 19 in the USA and October 9 in the UK. The film’s cast is absolutely stonking and includes Arrested Development’s Jason Bateman, 30 Rock’s Tina Fey, veteran actress Jane Fonda and Connie Britton of Nashville and Friday Night Lights fame.

Like the book nerds we are, however, we didn’t feel comfortable seeing the film until we’d read the book. So, we snuck Jonathan Tropper’s novel to the top of our reading pile and hosted an informal book club gathering to discuss our thoughts.

Using the book’s discussion guide and a beautiful box of goodies from Warner Bros, we shared how frustrated we felt for Judd, the protagonist and narrator, as he wobbled between a sea of self-pity and a "snake pit of fury and resentment" after discovering his wife cheating with his boss. We cackled over the bizarre, yet compulsively readable and laugh-out-loud funny situations that arose after the family came together for their father’s funeral. And we lamented the final chapter – not because it was bad, but because we were going to miss the hilariously human, warts-and-all characters we’d grown so attached to while reading. There’s a serious book hangover to be had with this one, folks – don’t say we didn’t warn you – but it’s definitely worth it.

With the film not out for another couple of weeks, there’s still time to read the book. While you’re waiting for it to arrive, you can take a peek at the film’s trailer to see why we’re so excited about it. Don’t forget to check back later in the week for a chance to win a copy, too!

Do you prefer to read the book before you see the film?