Review – Audiobook: One Last Thing Before I Go by Jonathan Tropper
One Last Thing Before I Go
by Jonathan Tropper
Narrated by John Shea
Genre: Humor
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Publish Date: August 21, 2012
Format: Audio, 8 hours | 18 minutes
Audio Listening Level: Easy
Rating: 3 of 5
Drew Silver has made many mistakes in his life. A former drummer for a one-hit wonder rock band, he is now divorced, living in an apartment building with other divorced men and makes a living playing in wedding bands. His ex-wife is getting remarried, his college-bound daughter confided in him she is pregnant, and he has just found out that he urgently needs heart surgery. But Silver refuses the operation. As his exasperated family looks on, Silver grapples with the ultimate question of whether or not his own life is worth saving.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook but didn’t care much about most of the characters. That probably says a lot for the narration, which was able to keep me engaged even though it didn’t matter to me whether Silver lived or died. He is just such a failure that I could never tolerate being around him. I could barely feel sorry for him! That sounds awful, but sometimes we don’t connect with a character but can still be entertained enough to keep listening to the story. Parts of it were funny and did have me laughing while I was busy doing house chores.
If a comedic story about a screwed-up, aging rock-star appeals to you, then you might find this entertaining. This was my first book by Jonathan Tropper and may not have been the best first choice for me. Since I liked his writing style, I would not hesitate to read another of his books, or try out some of his backlist.
——————————–
Source: Review copy.
© 2012 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Under My Apple Tree 
I’m listening to this in my car right now and I’m enjoying it and have laughed out loud several times.
LikeLike
I agree, parts of it were funny. But I didn’t like the main character and that’s always a problem when it comes to liking a book.
LikeLike
Leslie, thanks for you honest review. Liking the protagonist is important to me as well.
LikeLike
It’s good that the narration kept you that interested even if you didn’t like most of the characters.
LikeLike
Yup, a good narrator to keep me company while I did boring household tasks. The book wasn’t that long, and I kept hoping it would get better.
LikeLike
I think a good narrator is a must for any audio, but particularly in this case.
LikeLike
I read something else by Jonathan Tropper and didn’t finish it, so I probably won’t read this one either.
LikeLike
Hmmmm.. I love good audio but an curious if the connecting with the book would be an issue… 🙂
LikeLike
I don’t mind a flawed character, but Silver was a little too self-absorbed for me.
LikeLike
Nope, don’t think I’ll like this one:(
LikeLike
If I had to choose a book for you, it wouldn’t be this one. But tomorrow I have one I’m pretty sure you’d like.
LikeLike