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stephybara 's review for:
Homer & Langley
by E.L. Doctorow
I was very confused as to why Doctorow decided to extend the lifespans of the brothers, having them live into the late 1960s if not the 1970s - the brothers died in 1947. I found this irritating, because if you are going to write fiction based on real people, shouldn't you at least respect the known facts of their lives? It's all fine and good to create pieces to fill in gaps or explain motivations, but to change known facts wholesale seems unnecessary and a bit like cheating. (It seems Doctorow also changed when and how the Collyer parents died.)
I disagree with the New Yorker review that states that "[i:]n fictionalizing the brothers’ story, Doctorow alters the record in minor but significant ways." I did not find his alterations minor at all.
I disagree with the New Yorker review that states that "[i:]n fictionalizing the brothers’ story, Doctorow alters the record in minor but significant ways." I did not find his alterations minor at all.