Title: One Last Thing Before I Go
Author: Jonathan Tropper
First published August 21, 2012
336 pages, ebook
ISBN: 9781101593578 (ISBN10: 1101593571)
Rating: 3.77
Overview
Life has a way of not turning out as planned, and Drew Silver knows this all too well. After fleeting fame as a drummer in a one-hit wonder rock band, Silver’s life has taken a turn for the worse.
His ex-wife is about to remarry, and his daughter, Casey, is pregnant and confiding in him because she cares least about letting him down. When Silver discovers he needs emergency heart surgery, he makes a radical decision to refuse the operation.
Instead, he chooses to spend what little time he has left repairing his relationship with Casey, becoming a better man, and living in the moment, even if that moment isn’t going to last long. As his family looks on, Silver grapples with the ultimate question of whether his life is worth saving, making for a poignant and thought-provoking read.
About the Author
Meet Jonathan Tropper, a talented author who has written several novels including Everything Changes, The Book of Joe, and Plan B. He resides in Westchester, New York with his wife Elizabeth and their children, and also teaches writing at Manhattanville College.
In fact, his novel How To Talk To A Widower has been optioned by Paramount Pictures, while Everything Changes and The Book of Joe are currently being developed into feature films.
Editoral Review
One Last Thing Before I Go by Jonathan Tropper is a heart-wrenching yet humorous novel that explores the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of our actions. Tropper is a bestselling author known for his witty and poignant writing style, and this book is no exception.
The novel centers around Drew Silver, a former drummer for a one-hit wonder band who is now a divorced, unemployed, and emotionally detached father. Drew discovers that he has a life-threatening medical condition and decides to forgo the surgery that could save his life.
Instead, he embarks on a journey to make amends with his estranged daughter, ex-wife, and father before his time runs out.
Set in a small town in New York, the novel delves into the intricacies of family dynamics, the fragility of life, and the power of forgiveness. The character development is exceptional, and readers will find themselves invested in Drew’s journey as he tries to reconcile with his past mistakes and salvage his relationships.
One of the strengths of the novel is Tropper’s ability to balance humor and heartache seamlessly. The book is full of witty one-liners and laugh-out-loud moments, but it also deals with heavy themes such as mortality, regret, and loss.
Tropper’s writing is engaging, and he manages to keep the plot moving at a steady pace without sacrificing the emotional depth of the story.
The novel’s themes are universal, and readers of all ages and backgrounds will find something to relate to in Drew’s journey. The book also touches on issues such as aging, midlife crisis, and the impact of fame on personal relationships.
One of the book’s weaknesses is that some of the supporting characters are not as well-developed as Drew, which can make their actions and motivations seem somewhat unclear. However, this is a minor flaw, and it does not detract from the overall quality of the book.
Overall, One Last Thing Before I Go is a must-read for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories that are both funny and poignant. The book is a testament to the power of love, forgiveness, and second chances.
Jonathan Tropper has crafted a beautifully written novel that will stay with readers long after they finish the last page.
Rating: 4.5/5