I felt sad for all of the family sitTing Shiva in the Foreman household. Their father and husband died. For Jewish people there is seven days of mourning. Mirrors are covered. Torn ribbons are worn on clothing while kind friends and neighbors softly remember the deceased. The Foremans are likable because they seem like any other family no matter the religion or color. However, Linda the mother is different. She's very intelligent and very overt especially when it comes to sex. Frankly, she embarrassed me a few times and I'm old enough not to become embarrassed. She thinks nothing of explaining ways her husband, the father of her children, had sex with her to one of her children. When her robe falls open showing her breasts, she has no concern about what her son sees. After all, her body is built like any other woman's body. What is wrong with him? He has the problem not her.
Frankly, sex seems to play a part in everything that happens in this family. The book is filled with sexual scenes for those who feel sexually unfulfilled. I, do not have that problem. So, it became boring to me reading about their sexual escapades. I would have rather sat Shiva for another seven days without hearing who did what and how.
Jonathan Tropper has a wonderful sense of humor. I would easily try another one of his books. Maybe it's the mixing of death and sex together that made me unhappy. Whatever, he made me laugh. He made me groan. He touched my emotions in THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU. He just overdid the sexual show and tell stories. I also like the way the book is divided in to day and hours. I liked the characters. They just needed to think with their heads more than they thought with the other parts of their bodies. I think JONATHAN TROPPER would do well to use a little self control in that area. Then, his books will make me laugh and applaud.
