mondschatten’s Reviews > The Tragedy of Felix and Jake > Status Update

Just bought two friends TTOFAJ on sale, so I decided to start my third listen.

Felix's letter to Jake is one part of the book I don't love. I feel like the *only* reason it's here is to fuck with the reader's emotions.

Not having ever been in an MLM relationship (obvi.), TTOFAJ somehow strikes me as an incredibly accurate portrayal of an MLM relationship. (And now my brain is starting to thinking multi-level marketing, which is NOT what I mean.)

One of the lovely things about this book is how, for as immature as Felix can be, and as misplaced as his priorities and/or motivations can be at times, he does genuinely understand the gravity of being Jake's sponsor, and how he needs to be that first and foremost, and he never puts his own insecurities or desire to flirt or anything ahead of that. This also just helps him be a better friend and partner.

“Do you think you can sleep now?”

He nods, mouth stuffed full, and closes the box before tucking it against his chest and throwing his arm around it.

He drops his head to the inside of his arm and closes his eyes, and if it was anyone else cuddling up to a box of donuts, I’d probably think it was weird and say something to them about it, but it’s Felix.

Nothing about this is weird.

“Not all tattoos hurt. Well, that’s a lie. But even if they do, it’s a good kind of pain. You’d like it.”

His laughter is filled with surprise. “The fuck I would.” “We’ll see. You’re going to let me do it.”

“I’ll let you do a lot of stuff to me, Felix, but sticking me repeatedly with a needle won’t be one of those things.”

The drive home from the cemetery is fucking hilarious. I want to quote it all.

I seriously need a shelf trophy of this book.