Using the real life Collyer brothers as his starting point and inspiration, Doctorow weaves their imagined lives into twentieth century New York City history. In the author’s version older brother Langley is a shell shocked World War I veteran injured by mustard gas and Homer, the novel’s narrator, is a talented musician who gradually loses his sight. Doctorow gives his characters a few extra decades of life that the real life Collyer brothers did not have but they suffer the same fate as their real life counterparts did. Read this unique work of historical fiction and as a bonus you will be inspired to clean out any messy, possibly junk filled spots in your home.
RATING: * * * A good read
Reviewed by: kh
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