This is Where I Leave You Summary & Key Insights

Jonathan Tropper's "This Is Where I Leave You" centers on the Altman family, brought together by the death of their father, Judd Altman, a notoriously flawed but beloved patriarch. The story unfolds over a week, as the four Altman siblings – Judd's children, Jason, Wendy, Paul, and Philip – are forced to abide by their father's bizarre last request: they must all sit shiva in their childhood home for seven days.

Jason, a successful but cynical television writer grappling with a recent betrayal by his wife, is the book's primary protagonist. He returns to his childhood home, a space filled with both fond and painful memories, reluctantly participating in the family gathering. Wendy, a high-powered lawyer struggling with infertility and a strained relationship with her husband, is tightly wound and emotionally guarded. Paul, the seemingly successful and happy one, hides a deep insecurity and a failing marriage. Finally, Philip, the youngest and most emotionally volatile, is grappling with his sexuality and a complicated relationship with his family.

The week-long shiva becomes a catalyst for long-buried resentments, unspoken desires, and family secrets to resurface. Each sibling confronts their individual struggles – infidelity, career pressures, identity crises – against the backdrop of their dysfunctional family dynamic. Their interactions with their mother, Hillary, a woman equally complex and emotionally unavailable, further exacerbate their tensions. The siblings also navigate relationships with their extended family, including their Aunt Millie, a free-spirited woman with a penchant for inappropriate behavior.

Alongside the family drama, individual storylines develop. Jason reconnects with his childhood crush, his brother's girlfriend, who brings a fresh perspective to his emotional turmoil. Paul confronts his wife's infidelity, and Wendy grapples with the harsh realities of her life choices. Philip's sexuality and subsequent actions are central to the narrative and highlight the Altman family's evolving acceptance, or lack thereof.

The overarching theme is the complex and often messy nature of family relationships. Tropper explores the ways in which our families shape us, both positively and negatively, and how even seemingly irreparable rifts can unexpectedly mend. The novel delicately balances humor and pathos, portraying the Altman family with both affection and harsh realism. Ultimately, "This Is Where I Leave You" is a poignant story about finding solace and connection amidst the chaos of family life, and accepting the flaws that make us human – both individually and collectively. The shiva, meant to be a period of mourning, becomes an unlikely setting for healing and re-evaluation, forcing the siblings towards a more honest, if imperfect, understanding of themselves and each other.