I started This is Where I Leave You a long time ago but put it down after about reading 5% because I just couldn’t take the whining of the main character, Judd. I never intended to pick it up again but while sitting on the beach yesterday I decided to do just that. This is the story of Judd’s life and marital demise told over the 7 days that his family buries Judd’s father and sits shivah (Jewish period of mourning). While I found that the author belabored some points too much (e.g., we get it, Judd’s 62 year-old mother dresses inappropriately) other situations come across with witty observations and humor (I actually laughed out loud) that made what I thought would be a depressing story into something easy to read (one day on the beach) and enjoyable. I’m glad I gave it a second chance.
