The Book Of Joe is a 2004 novel by Jonathan Tropper that followed the return of Joe Goffman to his hometown of Bush Falls, Connecticut due to his father's illness. Since he made it rich by writing a disparaging novel in a thinly-veiled version of it, most of the townsfolk hate him. He struggles to reforge his connections with family and friends and move past the events of what occurred in his final year of high school.
This book contains examples of the following tropes:
- Always Second Best: Joe felt his father always felt closer to his older brother Brad thanks to Brad's sporting prowess. Its what makes him finding his father's scrapbook about his literary success so heartwarming.
- Dysfunction Junction: Most of the main characters are dealing with significant issues.
- Most Writers Are Writers: A significant sub-plot follows Joe's attempts to write his next book.
- "Well Done, Son" Guy: Some of Joe's issues definitely stem from his perceived inability to win his father's approval.
