Plan B is a novel about friendship. It's about five 30-something friends struggling with work, romance and life. But the story focuses more on Jack, a famous Hollywood actor and cocaine addict. Ben (the narrator), Lindsey, Chuck and Alison try to help Jack face his demon by way of intervention. In denial, Jack refuses to get help. Desperate, the friends try Plan B: imprisoning Jack in a house in the country until the period of withdrawal passes. While they try to help their friend, they face their own demons and try to improve their lives.

The narration is nicely done and the comic timing is precise. I think that Jonathan Tropper could turn this into a movie (this book begs for a script). A nice read.

I can't remember the last time I so enjoyed a book. The story, about a group of friends who kidnap one of their crowd to get him off drugs, was gripping, and the fact that the friend was a movie star just added some fun complications along the way. Each of the characters here reminded me of one of my friends, and the author is to be commended for truly isolating the various quirks, fears, and personalities that are so prevalent in our generation (I'm forty-one, but I think i still qualify). The story is told by Ben, who is both ironic and sincere, somewhat depressed, but hysterically funny as he tries to make sense of his failures at age thirty and come up with a new plan (hence the title) to make his life more meaningful.

Many of the reviews here talk about how this will definitely be a movie. I can see their point, but I don't think a movie can capture the compelling tone of the narrative, which is what really holds this whole story together.

All in all, a fun, light read that you will absolutely enjoy and not soon forget.

Hollywood should definitely be checking out Plan B. It would make a great movie, which doesn't mean it isn't a great read. I picked this up on a whim and found it to be a funny, touching story about five college friends turning thirty and dealing with the disappointments life has served up. The action is fast-paced and laced with wit, irony, and Generation X pop culture. If you grew up with the Breakfast Club, St. Elmo's Fire and Less Than Zero, then this book will definitely resonate with you. Tropper's narrator is alternately funny and sad, ironic and earnest, occassionally clueless but always honest. This book does not aspire to be "deep" literature, but to be an entertaining and thoughtful account of what it feels like to grow up and realize thst life is not an exact science. Whether you want to be touched, or just laugh out loud, you cannot go wrong with this book.