My Brother's Keeper

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Summary: I've read it twice Ill read it again
Review: A story that will live with me and haunt me for a lifetime, The story was perhaps a little drawn out but well worth it. I now am always on the lookout in bookstores for other books by her. Just completed reading "Valley of Decision"-good book with some great literary moments but way to drawn out. -but "East Side West Side" is shaping up to be a beauty!

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Summary: I, too, first read this book many years ago.
Review: As I recall, this book was based on the true-life story of the Collier brothers of New York. The author explains very rational reasons for all the irrational mess the brothers were found in after their deaths. The true story was never known for sure, of course. But what a great book! My mother had a copy for many years and then put it in a garage sale! What I wouldn't give to see it again.

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Summary: A Haunting Tale - Not Soon Forgotten
Review: As with many others, my copy was lost years ago. But it was brought to mind after seeing a recent program on 20/20 which showed the inside of a house that was filled with trash. This woman had an abnormal fear of throwing anything away. Also, I thought the spelling was "Collyer" instead of "Collier". Which is correct. An excellent book. I'll continue to look for it.

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Summary: Book should be reprinted!
Review: I have just reread this fascinating book by Marcia Davenport after 45 years. I found the original 1954 edition, published by Charles Scribner's Sons in our library, but would like to buy it to keep and have my daughter and friends read it. The story begins with the mysterious death of two elderly brothers who are found buried in a mound of trash in their town house in the 1950's in New York. In all these years, the story has effected me in two ways: trying not to keep too much junk in my house, and one day hoping to visit Bellagio on Lake Como in Italy, where part of the story takes place. Please have the publisher reprint this novel and what an excellent movie it would make!

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Summary: Please Please iniate a re- issue of this title
Review: I read this book about 25 years ago .. It was one of the most emotionally powerful stories I have ever read.. You could feel the highs and lows of both these brothers lives and picture the 'jumble' in which they lived.. and still.. They raised a son [not sure who's] I would love to be able to buy a copy, ..Mine was lost in a fire in 1988 and I had always meant to pass this book on to one of my daughters, who had also read it and loved it..I'd be so thrilled to see it re-issued.

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Summary: My Brother's Keeper
Review: I read this book many years ago and was spellbound by the brothers behaviors. It is one of the books I have recommended to many, many people over the years. I truly believe this book had such an impact on me that I chose my profession, clinical social work, to learn more about human behavior and the causes the behavior. I want to reread this book, 47 years after I first read it, because it had such a profound impact on my life.

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Summary: My Brother's Keeper many years later.
Review: If anyone has a copy of this book that they would like to sell please contact me. Thank you, [e-mail]

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Summary: Was this novel based on real life brothers
Review: My mother told me years ago that this book was based on real brothers. She told me who they were but I probably shouldn't say that here. I have read the book several times over the years. It is my number one favorite novel. I would love to give a copy to my daughter.

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Summary: A HAUNTING AND TRAGIC STORY...
Review: Two elderly brothers, Seymour and Randall Holt, are found dead in their rundown, squalid brownstone in the neighborhood of Chelsea in New York City. This book reconstructs their lives and explains how it came about that they met such an ignominious end.

Raised in that very brownstone in a turn of the century household run by their wealthy, twisted, and domineering grandmother, who eventually drove their mother to madness, they grew up in an environment that was not conducive to happiness. It was an upbringing that was to have great repercussions on their lives.

Both of the brothers were very handsome and intelligent. Seymour was the older and more aggressive and resourceful of the two, while Randall was sensitive and artistic, being a gifted pianist. Both looked forward to the death of their grandmother, whom they hated. They looked forward to departing from that house and living elsewhere, leaving behind very painful memories. When their grandmother finally died at a very ripe old age, however, she tied up her estate in such a way that she would still control them from the grave. Their leaving the now hated brownstone was not an option.

For a while after her death, it seemed that these young men would end up leading normal lives. The life that they had lived with their grandmother, however, had, unfortunately, left its mark. This would be made remarkably clear in the way in which they interacted with others. Yet, they each went on their way, trying to fit in the best way they knew how. For a while, it seemed that they would almost succeed. Their own natures, coupled with their upbringing and the general vicissitudes of life, however, would conspire to ensure that they would not.

If one ever wondered how people could live such bizarre lives that they would end up with their homes filled with trash, refuse, filth, and disorder, this book will give one a birds-eye view as to how this could happen. This lyrically written novel is a spellbinding account of how two promising lives could meet such a tragic end. It is sure to keep the reader riveted and turning the pages. It is simply a terrific book!