My Brother's Keeper

I read this as when I was eleven and it has been one of my all time favorite books for a very long time. It's a brilliant depiction of human psychology. I know I'm more compassionate and curious about how people end up living the way they do. It was truly eye and heart opening for me because my family was the opposite- super organized and ultra clean and no one for 5 generations has suffered from depression. (Stepford Wives sort of politeness and perfection - there must be a diagnosis for that..) I might be a more judgemental person if not for reading My Brothers Keeper. Highly recommended!

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.

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!

I read this years ago -- probably as a teen and it has stuck with me all these years. It is a powerful story, well written and thought provoking. The influence of the story is such that in remembering it, I am helped to keep my priorities straight about material possessions and what is important in life. It would be well worth reprinting.

I have read this book several times in the past. I was able to check it out at the library, they no longer have it to read, and I have searched all over trying to find it. I really want it for by own library to read again, and let other family members read it.The story of the 2 brothers was mind boggling on the amount of trash they accumlated in their house. I am amazed this was never made into a movie.Fran

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.