One Last Thing Before I Go

Silver used to be a rock star - the drummer in a one-hit-wonder band that peaked in the 1990s. Now divorced and living in an apartment complex full of other divorced men, he drifts through life working as a wedding band drummer and maintaining a strained relationship with his teenage daughter Casey. When Silver receives life-changing medical news, he must decide whether to undergo a risky surgery or live with his condition. This forces him to examine his relationships, particularly with his ex-wife, his daughter who is facing her own crisis, and his aging father - a successful surgeon who wants to perform the operation. The story follows Silver as he attempts to make amends and find meaning in what could be his final days. His journey involves reconnecting with family members, confronting past mistakes, and questioning what makes a life worth living. Through Silver's predicament, the novel explores themes of redemption, family bonds, and the ways people cope with regret. The narrative balances humor with gravity while examining how people choose to face mortality and its implications.

Readers note the book balances humor with serious themes of regret and redemption. Many found the main character Silver both frustrating and relatable, appreciating his flaws and growth. Liked: - Sharp, witty dialogue - Authentic father-daughter relationship - Blend of comedy and emotional depth - Fast-paced narrative style - "Made me laugh and cry on the same page" - Goodreads reviewer Disliked: - Present-tense writing style - Too many pop culture references - Some found Silver too self-destructive - "The ending felt rushed" - Amazon reviewer - Multiple readers noted similarities to Tropper's other novels Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (19,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (800+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (300+ ratings) A recurring theme in reviews is that while readers enjoyed the book, they preferred Tropper's "This Is Where I Leave You" over this one.

This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper A man returns home for his father's funeral and spends seven days with his dysfunctional family, forcing him to confront his past mistakes and complex relationships.

The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg The story follows a Chicago family dealing with divorce, obligation, and mortality as they struggle with their matriarch's self-destructive eating habits.

Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman A middle-aged copywriter faces a crumbling marriage, career crisis, and competition with his Pulitzer Prize-winning father while attempting to write his own novel.

The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter A former newspaper reporter makes questionable choices in an attempt to save his family from financial ruin and his marriage from collapse.

Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris Office workers at a Chicago advertising agency navigate layoffs, personal crises, and workplace relationships during the dot-com bubble burst.

🔖 Author Jonathan Tropper wrote much of this novel while working as the co-creator and executive producer of the TV series "Banshee" on Cinemax 📚 The book's main character, Silver, was inspired by Tropper's observations of aging rock musicians who peaked early and struggled to find meaning afterward 🎬 Paramount Pictures acquired the film rights to the novel, with J.J. Abrams set to direct and Mike Nichols originally attached to produce 💫 The medical condition at the center of the plot—a torn aorta requiring immediate surgery—was based on Tropper's research into conditions that could be both serious enough to be fatal yet potentially survivable with treatment 🎸 The fictional one-hit-wonder band in the book, The Bent Daises, was partially inspired by real bands like The Oneders from the movie "That Thing You Do!" and various actual one-hit wonders from the 1990s