This Is Where I Leave You Betrayal

If you've read This Is Where I Leave You, then you're probably sick of hearing Judd go on and on about Jen's betrayal. He's like that friend who's constantly gchatting you about his girl problems: Ping. Ping. Ping. Dude, we're trying to work, here! But look at it from Judd's perspective: it's bad enough that his wife cheated on him, but it's so much worse that she cheated on him with his uber-handsome boss, Wade. Does Judd deal with the betrayal well? Don't make us lol. Judd's world has been turned upside down. His wife, his career, and his friends are all gone in the blink of an eye. How do you pick up the pieces and move on from something like that? Well, a road trip is a good start.

Questions About Betrayal

1. Why did Jen seek out an affair? What does her choice of Wade say about her? What does it say about Judd?
2. In what ways does Jen's betrayal affect Judd's personal and professional life?
3. Is Judd justified in holding a grudge against Jen and Wade? Why or why not?
4. How is Judd's love for Jen affected when he learns of her affair?

Chew on This

This Is Where I Leave You argues that Jen's betrayal is rooted in Judd's inability to be emotionally present—in other words, his betrayal of her.

Although Jen's betrayal certainly wasn't the right thing to do, the novel makes it clear that their marriage had already fallen apart by that point.