Everything Changes: A Novel Paperback – March 28, 2006

This review (and many others!) can also be found here: [...]Jonathan Tropper is the author of This Is Where I Leave You, Everything Changes, The Book of Joe, How to Talk to a Widower, Plan B, and One Last Thing Before I Go, and he is hilarious.I know everyone is freaking out because This Is Where I Leave You became a Hollywood blockbuster this past year, so that's why I read Everything Changes instead. Tropper's character, Zachary King, surprised me by being a guy. What I mean by this is he sounded, acted, treated his fiancé, his family and his job like a guy actually would. There really isn't a moment where I melted at something Zack said, but that doesn't mean that he wasn't a sweet character. He was sweet because hew as honest. Sometimes Zack was really horrible and s***ty and mean and inconsiderate, and then sometimes he was honorable and genuine and quirky and loving. I enjoyed getting to know him as a character, and I forgave him many times for being a guy."Life, for the most part, inevitably becomes routine, the random confluence of timing and fortune that configures it's components all but forgotten. But every so often, I catch a glimpse of my life out of the corner of my eye, and am rendered breathless by it."Tropper's writing style is pointblank. It's frank and it is dry and it had me laughing out loud during scenes that weren't meant to be funny."Matt howls, and launches himself onto Satch's back, throwing his arms around his neck, and the situation has officially gone to hell."I wanted to cry during this scene; it's even more hilarious in context. Because what follows this statement is a lot of bruises, wigs flying and jail cells. I can't say I relate to this scene; however, I can picture it so clearly in my head. That's why I love Tropper's writing, because he paints this canvas for you. He had me praying I wouldn't laugh out loud and embarrass myself in public."And here comes Norm, tearing red-faced down the hill toward us in his undershirt, eyes crazed, hands flailing, with two security guards running behind him. One of the guards is clutching Norm's red sweatshirt, which flaps in the wind behind him like a cavalry flag."Tropper knows how to write a comedy scene, and he knows how to make you like unlikable characters. Zack's father, Norm, is a mess. He is crude, but he has moments where you laugh so hard at him that comedy becomes his redeemer. He might be the World's Worst Father, but Norm will make you laugh.This story has multiple plots and characters, and that seems to be a characteristic of Tropper's writing. He doesn't like his audience to be bored. He throws many problems at you, but he never fails to make you laugh while attempting to find the solution.

Corny? Yes. Brilliantly written? Yes. An excellent read? Yes. The plot is improbable and there are a few really kitschy parts, but the beautiful passages filled with powerful imagery, the sharp and funny dialogue, sometimes reminiscent of masters like Raymond Chandler, make this book a worthy of Tropper. Best Manhattan fiction since Seinfeld, just more literary and emotional. Highly recommended!

I haven’t read the book yet(although i know it’ll be good because it’s johnathan trooper) however i bought the very good used version of the book but it came in bad condition with the cover half ripped off and covered in a water stains on the bottom half. the book is still great i just expected a little less damaged for the condition being labeled as very good

Two summers ago I was blown away by Jonathan Tropper's "The Book of Joe." So I've been looking forward to reading Tropper's third novel for many, many moons. And guess what? Tropper does not disappoint; his tome, EVERYTHING CHANGES, successfully captures that funny/poignant hybrid characteristic of this very gifted writer.Thirty-two-year-old Zack King finds himself in quite the conundrum. He hates his job; he's engaged to to a beautiful, adoring woman, yet finds himself hopelessly attracted to his late best friend's widow; Norm, his eccentric, estranged, Viagra-popping father, suddenly appears after years of separation, wreaking havoc in his wake; and maybe, just maybe, Zack may have bladder cancer. Put all these ingredients together and suddenly, as Zack laments, everything changes. Tropper is wonderful at depicting a life going south in a hurry, and in customary fashion, Zack's wheels come off, with hilarious consequences.I had a few problems with the book, to be sure. Zack often comes across as a whining, petulant, metrosexual ("Come on, Zack, grow a pair!" I would find myself saying out loud, on more than one occasion.), and the ending was far too syrupy for my tastes. But who cares? Tropper's prose, his ability to take the reader inside the head of his protagonist, is absolutely flawless and riveting. And the writing is powerful enough to have you laughing at one moment, then wiping away a tear, the next. If an author can pull that off, that's writing as good as it gets, if you ask me.Jonathan Tropper is an exceptional writer; EVERYTHING CHANGES is an exceptional book. Highly recommended.--D. Mikels, Author,  The Reckoning

Jonathan Hopper's books are enjoyable, easy, predictable reads. The characters are likable but not exactly deep or interesting. Hopper's books are perfect for a plane ride. I've actually bought all of his books. While I don't love them I certainly don't hate them. I do find them to be incredibly predictable. The characters aren't evolved enough to surprise you. But the conversations flow and the dynamics among the characters keep the story moving and kept me reading. I do enjoy his style of writing. It's quick and to the point. His writing isn't bogged down by irrelevant descriptions of places or things.I don't find any of his stories to be hilarious or witty. I note this only because the majority of his reviews state how funny his books are.As I write this review I am aware of the familiar adage "those who can't do, teach." And I fear I am criticizing an author when instead I should be writing myself. But like I previously said, I did purchase all of Hopper's books. I read them all. And for the most part enjoyed them.

Think have read this book 3 times and it still moves me- excellent writing am bereft author hasn’t written more but film version of ‘This is where I leave You’ was excellent as was the casting. Have ordered his others to reread again as dark evenings approach

Another superb Jonathan Tropper novel. This story is about a man named Zachary who is in his 30's, has a good job and is engaged to a lovely woman. However events that are taking place in his life are causing him concern . What we get from this author is not only a funny and witty story but also poignant and sometimes very moving points in his writing. Absolutely love every single one of his books.

As usual, I really enjoyed this book, I always do enjoy this author's writing. He has such an ironic sense of humour, I was giggling despite parts of the story being quite serious. Jonathan Tropper is a brilliant story teller, I have recommended all his books to everyone,even people in waiting rooms (including nurses) who have found me enjoying his books on my Kindle.

Stumbled across this author when "How to talk to a widower" caught my attention last year, and this is the 3rd of his novels I've read, none of which have disappointed.If you like books that pull you into the troubles of the protagonist, and like your troubles, thick, fast, life-consuming, generally family related,and mixed in with a wicked sense of humour, then you're sure to enjoy this.

I bought this as I had enjoyed 'How to Talk to a Widower' and I again found the authors style easy to read but this time I had guessed most of the ending and half way through wanted him to get on with it. Good observation of how one person's actions can have repercussions for more than just themselves.