The Book of Joe Audiobook By Jonathan Tropper cover art

The Book of Joe

A Novel

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The Book of Joe

By: Jonathan Tropper
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Fifteen years after leaving Sleepy Bush Falls, Connecticut, Joe Goffman wrote a savage bestselling novel about his hometown. The book went on to become a hit movie, making Joe a pariah in the Falls, which was fine with him, since he never planned on going back. But when a family tragedy strikes, Joe is left with no choice. His return ignites a maelstrom of hostility among the town’s still enraged residents.

As Joe walks the familiar streets of his childhood, he revisits the terrible events of his senior year in high school, and the heartbreak and catastrophe from which he’s never fully recovered. After almost two decades of hiding it, Joe will finally have to face his troubled past and start mending fences with family, onetime schoolmates, and a former love. And with the help of some old friends, Joe might actually learn something—if he manages to live through the homecoming.

©2004 Jonathan Tropper (P)2004 Books on Tape, Inc. Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Sagas Funny Heartfelt Witty

Critic reviews

"A beautifully crafted book of enormous heart, humility, wit, honesty, and vulnerability. You want to call your friends at 3:00 AM and read whole passages out loud. You want to press it into the hands of strangers. You cannot stop thinking about it because it has rearranged your very molecules. You know that kind of book? This is that kind of book. The Book of Joe is utterly magnificent. I wish I'd written it myself."—Augusten Burroughs, author of Running with Scissors

"The Book of Joe is an elegiac, wickedly observant look at a small town and its secrets. In Jonathan Tropper's highly readable novel, the problem isn't that you can't go home again, it's that eventually you have to, whether you like it or not."—Tom Perrotta, author of Election and Joe College

"A sweet, deft and sentimental coming-of-age-at-34 story. .... [Tropper's] humor keeps his tale buoyant."—The Daily News (NY)
Emotional Rollercoaster • Witty Dialogue • Excellent Narration • Engaging Storyline • Genuine Writing
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Maybe this story resonates with men a bit better, but it was just another story that passed the time for me. It had moments of humor, but ultimately didn't do it for me.

Ehh.

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I heard about this book by watching a video of narrator Scott Brick in which he said it was his personal favorite of all his performances. Since he is among my favorite narrators, I decided to download it and am very glad I did. A predictable plot (it's pretty easy to imagine what would happen if you were to leave your small home town for the big city, write a novel that profoundly insults everyone back home, then return home 20 years later) is rescued by a black comic sensibility and great writing that had me laughing out loud one moment and crying actual tears the next. As promised, Mr. Brick delivered a perfect reading of this memorable novel.

Great performance by Scott Brick!

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The description says the book is "by turns howling funny, fiercely intelligent, and achingly poignant." Lose the adjectives and I'd agree. Well-written.

Interesting story

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This book has all the elements of a good made-for-tv movie - the main character is flawed enough to be interesting but not so much that he's unlikable, there's a good cast of supporting characters, and the story-line, while predictable, is still compelling enough to keep you from changing the channel. I enjoyed the listen and suspect that this is due in large part to the Scott Brick's excellent narration. Not sure I'd advocate spending a precious credit on this one, but I would recommend getting it when it goes on sale.

Enjoyable but nothing special

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Would you consider the audio edition of The Book of Joe to be better than the print version?

I enjoyed the narrator's version very much. The story is interesting and leaves room for thought. We read it in our book club and it led to a lively discussion

Great Read

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this book is clever, witty and absolutely hilarious!! I have been recommending it to everyone I know and will probably listen to it again.

Loved every minute of it!!

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I have NEVER cried so much at a book that made me so happy and spent. My first Tropper novel and definitely not my last. I just need some time recover from the emotional rollercoaster that is The Book of Joe.

Emotional Genius!

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J'ai beaucoup apprécié le style de l'auteur, le narrateur est parfait, mais j'ai été déçue par l'intrigue même si les thèmes abordés sont intéressants.

Très bien écrit, narrateur excellent, histoire bof

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I LOVED this audiobook and have listened to it many times. Well reminiscent for those of us who grew up in the 70s and 80s, with Springsteen references an added bonus -- and for those of us still trying to "grow up" in various ways. The storyline, however, is reflective of things still going on today and still very pertinent. Very well presented, also. Did not find it shallow as suggested by a previous reviewer, although can see where that idea might grab one --but this is a character who is trying to be shallow to aid living in denial, but just can't carry it off because the truth keeps staring him down. Great on all points.

Fun, great plot, well presented

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The author has such a distinct way of writing that really shows his wit & ability to characterize what so many of us think on an everyday basis. I really enjoyed the "connection" this gives to Joe. However, the story itself is pretty dark. Even though there are great lessons to be learned as he makes his way through this journey~ the topic itself was too much of a downer for me to thoroughly enjoy the book. I also found it annoying that a lot of the story was about him writing a story as an author. After awhile it made me feel "stupid" for connecting to this character. After all this is only a book that was written & it made me too conscious of this is all just made up to begin with.

Witty, but a little depressing

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