Right after high school, Joe Goffman left sleepy Bush Falls, Connecticut and never looked back. Then he wrote a novel savaging everything in town, a novel that became a national bestseller and a huge hit movie. Fifteen years later, Joe is struggling to avoid the sophomore slump with his next novel when he gets a call: his father's had a stroke, so it's back to Bush Falls for the town's most famous pariah. His brother avoids him, his former classmates beat him up, and the members of the book club just hurl their copies of Bush Falls at his house. But with the help of some old friends, Joe discovers that coming home isn't all bad—and that maybe the best things in life are second chances. Fans of Nick Hornby and Jennifer Weiner will love this book, by turns howling funny, fiercely intelligent, and achingly poignant. As evidenced by The Book of Joe's success in both the foreign and movie markets, Jonathan Tropper has created a compelling, incredibly resonant story.
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""The Book of Joe" reminded me much of my own life as it has progressed from high school to present (I am 42 at this writing). The plot centers on a novelist (with only one book, although it's a successful Peyton Place-esque novel based on his former home town) and his return back to his home town after his father suffers a near-fatal stroke. While I'm not a writer, I found myself identifying with much Tropper had to say about the protagonist's not being able to fit in with the mainstream, which really struck a chord with me. I recommend this book to anyone who feels or who has felt out of touch with the rest of the world...which (if we'd just admit it) would be just about all of us."
— Snotchocheez (4 out of 5 stars)
“A beautifully crafted book of enormous heart, humility, wit, honesty, and vulnerability. You want to call your friends at 3:00 a.m. and read whole passages out loud. You want to press it into the hands of strangers. You cannot stop thinking about it because it has rearranged your very molecules. You know that kind of book? This is that kind of book. The Book of Joe is utterly magnificent. I wish I’d written it myself.”
— Augusten Burroughs, New York Times bestselling author of Running with Scissors“The Book of Joe is an elegiac, wickedly observant look at a small town and its secrets. In Jonathan Tropper’s highly readable novel, the problem isn’t that you can’t go home again, it’s that eventually you have to, whether you like it or not.”
— Tom Perrotta, New York Times bestselling author“A sweet, deft and sentimental coming-of-age-at-thirty-four story…[Tropper’s] humor keeps his tale buoyant.”
— New York Daily News“The Book of Joe will make you laugh and cry. Tropper has a very readable style, and Joe is a character you can connect with, warts and all.”
— Associated Press“Frequent pop culture references, particularly to Bruce Springsteen, help move things along briskly.”
— Publishers Weekly“In spite of his hero’s serious problems, Tropper keeps Joe’s narration self-deprecatingly funny throughout…And as Joe struggles to reconcile himself to his past, the novel proves surprisingly poignant, even tender. A first-rate tale of a thirtysomething’s belated coming-of-age.”
— Booklist" Male version of contemporary chick lit depicting snarky protagonists. I should create a shelf for books I've read only because my library's audio book selections are so limited. I've read much worse popular novels. "
— Paddy, 2/6/2014" IF you haven't read a Jonathan Tropper book yet, you should. He is totally hilarious. Although I read two books, and both pretty much had the same type of characters and plot line, both of them amused me and were great reads. This story is one we probably all would like to see happen. A guy leaves his home town to become rich and famous, only to return to loathed and reviled! I also read This is Where I Leave You by Jonathon Tropper, also dealing with a guy having a midlife crisis and returning to his hometown when his father dies. Both will shock you, sadden you, and make you laugh along the way. "
— Abby, 2/1/2014" An extra star for the worst metaphors in history "
— Anne, 1/28/2014" I rarely give a book more than 4 stars. It has to touch my soul so deeply that I will never forget the lesson it taught me within it's pages. With that in mind, I give this one 4 stars because there are only a handful of books that have ever made me cry. This was one. You can read about the book on your own if you want to know the story line but I will tell you, Jonathan Tropper has a masterful way of telling a story. The dialogue is superb and his characters are so real you will not soon forget about them. There is really no need to say much more than this is just a great book. I am pleased a friend suggested I give him a try. "
— Stacey, 1/28/2014" Not as good as the others I've read but still a great read "
— Elizabeth, 1/26/2014" I like Jonathan Trooper books...they are entertaining, funny and it sounds like a friend telling me a story. the books all run together though and i can't remember each one seperately, but I enjoy them. "
— Michelle, 1/20/2014" Jonathan Tropper's writing is amazing. I've loved each and every one of his books, and this one is no exception. His characters are compelling and real, the story line moves along effortlessly, and the ending is touching, satisfying, and nearly perfect. My only complaint is that I've now read all of Tropper's books and must patiently wait for another one to come along! "
— Iris, 1/14/2014" Hits the small town vibe right on the head. "
— Kelli, 1/14/2014" Great story about growing up and small-town America. "
— Ben, 1/1/2014" Really liked this book, but I like all of Tropper's books. Funny and sad all at the same time. This is a highly recommended easy to read both funny and sad. "
— Lesa, 12/29/2013" Really reminded me of October Road. Good story though. "
— Rlabrombach, 12/18/2013" This was recommended to me by a friend. How to tell him that it's terrible? "
— Phillip, 12/18/2013" I really enjoyed this book. It was very funny, in a dry, sarcastic way. Somewhat predictable, but still a fun, fast read. "
— JillRock, 12/16/2013" This is for sure my favorite Tropper book yet. In fact, it took me a few days to read the last 15 or so pages because I didn't want it to end. Loved it. "
— Lauren, 12/11/2013" Another good book by Jonathan Tropper. "
— Ross, 4/16/2013" Self absorbed, egotistical young man returns home after many years to a town he reviled in his best selling book. I did not like him very much or the story. "
— Madeline, 1/22/2013" fully enjoyable,slightly fluff, but a fun, can't-put-it-down read. "
— Kristen, 11/28/2012" I liked the dialogue -- and there was lots of it. Funny, smart and quick. For me, it wasn't particularly memorable. It was a nice read but I was happy to move on to something else when I was done. "
— Irene, 10/3/2012" Why did I read this book all the way to the end? It's not horrible, but it reads like it was written just to get a movie deal. Stock characters, stock situations, and stock redemption at the end. "
— reed, 7/13/2012" Tropper has similar themes to each of his books, but the stories are different enough to keep you hooked. He writes with humor and keen observation of our own foibles. I enjoy every book he writes. "
— Monica, 5/22/2012" This is the second Jonathan Tropper book I have read and I still love him. He is witty and knows how to make me laugh through tears. "
— Pachomp, 4/4/2012" Jonathan Tropper is a wonderful author. I did not want to put the Book of Joe down for one minute. This was a page turner and I could not wait to see what happened to each character. This is a must read. "
— Mona, 3/20/2012" Since the overall theme is similar, you have to compare it to 'This is Where I Leave You' -- I think the latter was better, but this was still enjoyable. "
— Jennifer, 3/6/2012" Another bookclub book - excellent! Witty, intelligent writing...Tropper entices you to sympathize and route for his main character, Joe. "
— Katrina, 2/13/2012" Excellent read! Funny, believable, and hard t put down! "
— Name, 6/17/2011" It had some great moments and some good humor, it's just that I can't get over the historical inaccuracy of his tween nieces wearing Backstreet Boys t-shirts in 2004. "
— O.c., 5/15/2011" Really a great read, so happy I found this author. He always looks at the most simple of lives, and shows that there is always a tint of drama. Reads too fast though. "
— Alexa, 5/12/2011" An entertaining read and good for a co-ed book club. "
— Elizabeth, 4/23/2011" Amazing - quick read that was smart, funny and very emotional. "
— Emily, 4/17/2011" Loved it! A must read "
— Shannon, 4/16/2011" Since the overall theme is similar, you have to compare it to 'This is Where I Leave You' -- I think the latter was better, but this was still enjoyable. "
— Jennifer, 4/16/2011" Funny and sad, but a little predictable. "
— Sarah, 3/28/2011" I couldn't put it down. If you liked the author's other books, you'll like this. "
— Patty, 3/24/2011" I'm loving this author! Great story which makes you really think about your life and the choices you've made....<br/> "
— Peggy, 3/23/2011" This is the third novel by Jonathan Tropper that I have read. So far I think I liked it best. He has a funny writing style and I liked the characters. An easy, fun read. "
— Barbara, 3/22/2011" Tropper has become one of my favorite authors. I loved "This is Where I Leave You," and I am now working my way through his older catalog of books. <br/> <br/>This book was a really good story with very real characters. <br/> <br/>Loved it. "
— Courtney, 3/17/2011Jonathan Tropper is the author of How to Talk to a Widower, Everything Changes, The Book of Joe, Plan B, and This Is Where I Leave You. He lives with his family in Westchester, New York, where he teaches writing at Manhattanville College.
Scott Brick, an acclaimed voice artist, screenwriter, and actor, has performed on film, television, and radio. He attended UCLA and spent ten years in a traveling Shakespeare company. Passionate about the spoken word, he has narrated a wide variety of audiobooks. winning won more than fifty AudioFile Earphones Awards and several of the prestigious Audie Awards. He was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine and the Voice of Choice for 2016 by Booklist magazine.