A review by rebeccaschmitz
Homer & Langley by E.L. Doctorow

2.0

I understand Doctorow is writing fiction; hell, I love his blending of reality and fictional fantasy in Ragtime. However, the real life of the Collyer brothers is so interesting and heartbreaking it doesn't need thirty extra years, various young women and other devices out of the writer's toolbox. This book has a hollow feeling at its core, completely unlike the stuffed-to-the-cornices Collyer mansion on New York City's Fifth Avenue. Homer and Langley (for whatever unnecessary reason, at least to this reader, E.L. turns their ages around) do not need sex, the moon landing and Jonestown to make them more accessible. If you are interested in these two characters--characters in the best sense of the word--pick up Franz Lidz's Ghosty Men instead.