Reviews

Homer i Langley by E.L. Doctorow

beth_diiorio's review against another edition

4.0

This book was such a pleasant surprise! I absolutely love the two main characters - two QUIRKY brothers. Great mix of humor and emotion and life events.

pixie_d's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars. I have about 40 pages to go, but I'm marking it as read. I like the narrator's lucidity. I wish there were chapters to make it easier to put down, but then again the less I put it down, the sooner I'll finish. Thankfully this book discussion group selection is only 208 pages long. Halleluiah! I never even finished Crime and Punishment before that group met this month (hence that title is not on my GoodReads list), so just finishing this is seeming like an accomplishment. I was leery of another book by the author of Ragtime, as I don't particularly like fictional books that bring in non-fictional characters and historical events, but so far, so good.

kmatthe2's review against another edition

3.0

Another engaging take on historical fiction. It was a little slow going at parts, but had the typical Doctorow moments of brilliance that made some of the slogs worth it.

jsholman2002's review against another edition

4.0

I don't really know what to say about this book. I had to read it over a long period of time; it was so painful to read about the slow downfall of these hoarders. As Doctorow writes you can feel the walls closing in on these two brothers. At the same time, the story is based on real life and the story of the Collyer brothers is truly unbelievable. Bottom line: this story is not one you will easily forget.

nicollej's review against another edition

2.0

Truth be told, I didn't finish this book so my rating isn't accurate... I was too bored so I put it down but maybe I'll pick it up again.

callieisreading's review against another edition

3.0

A weird little book that left me feeling unsettled. Two brothers are born into the high society of early 1900's New York City, with a mansion on 5th Avenue overlooking the park that is always filled with parties and people. Homer, the younger son (and the narrator of this story), begins to go blind early in childhood, and develops a deep bond with his brother Langley, who becomes the leader of the two. After their parents pass away from Spanish Influenza, they truly have only each other to rely on, and slowly entomb themselves in their palace, observing the 20th century take place around them. This book reminded me very strongly of Forrest Gump in that way.

The book was quick and short, but I felt like the ending was truly the weakest part of the story. It felt like the author couldn't figure out a way to end it, and had it just stop.

I read this for my +12 in '12 challenge of reading the first 12 books on my TBR list.

labtracks's review against another edition

3.0

This was sweet. A quick read with no chapters. I liked these two though I would hate to be their neighbor. I didn't realize this was based on real people until reading some other reviews here. Ordinarily I would feel robbed at a fictionalized version when I could read about the real thing but I liked this inside look per se. It's too easy to slip into a hoard... For some, without knowing or notice.
I picked this up in a fill a bag for five bucks deal. The first book of the bag I read and already feel I got my money's worth.

flajol's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed this, but didn't feel fully engaged with either Homer or Langley - it's like there was something missing, but don't ask me what because I can't quite put my finger on it. I've given it three stars rather than two just for the pitiful ending which genuinely moved me.

malaikaa's review against another edition

dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

sebarose's review against another edition

3.0

A wonderful last sentence. And a pleasant enough trip to get to that last sentence.