Welcome to Litsy!

A fictitious account of the Collyer's life as told by Homer Collyer. My first Doctorow and I enjoyed his writing, as well as the creative spin on this infamous NYC legend. "This room looks like Collyer's attic!" For years, I never knew why my grandmother would say that...

Enjoy this book about NY's most famous hoarders but definitely research their true story. #Bookspin2022 #February @TheAromaofBooks

The similarities are eerie...

My #bookspin for February. @TheAromaofBooks

#3books based on true stories.

These are all fiction stories based on real people or events.

Homer and Langley is about two real brothers who lived in a Fifth Avenue mansion and were hoarders.

Mary Toft is about a real woman in England who tricked people (including many high-ranking doctors) that she was giving birth to rabbits.

My Loving Virgil Keeping takes place around a horrific mining disaster in Utah in the early 1900s.

Doctorow shifts the time a bit and changes things around a bit but basically you will never read a story quite like this one #basedonatruestory The Collyer brothers were super eccentric & compulsive hoarders and had just enough money to keep the world at bay, for a good long while.The real history & this fiction,I found equally fascinating! #AuldLangReads

Interesting fictional account of the real-life Collyer brothers. You watch a swath of American history unfold through the unique perspective of Homer and his brother. I knew nothing of their story before I read this book. Even so, I saw the ending coming quite early on. That didn‘t make it any less horrifying.

When you finish one audiobook and start the next one and it's the same narrator, it's a little confusing. On the plus side, I've discovered I love Arthur Morey's reading!

It's been several years since last I read a novel by Doctorow. I thought only appropriate to start this one with some sun, coffee and a nice croissant.

Enter the eccentric, sensual and wonder-filled world of two brothers in NYC as the major...and minor...events of the 20th century take place. The respect and devotion these two have for one another is as remarkable as their unique insights and habits. I loved this book! Time for a re-read of other Doctorow's. Thanks to @MrBook for the recommendation.

A delightful & smart fictional bio of the legendary NYC Collyer brothers. Spanning most of the 20th Century, blind Homer narrates about his & PTSD'd brother, Langley's, eccentric friends & hoarding habits. Think Forrest Gump. Witty, humorous, tragic, and elegant. Pair with: Carlos I Imperial Brandy.

Such sharp insight! Sardonic, sure, but one cannot produce such dark humor without full comprehension, no?

Guy: "Sorry for everything running behind schedule. Unfortunately, my guy's ETA is pushed back about an hour because of all this traffic."
Me: "Not to worry, it happens. And don't call me Sir." *chuckles*
Guy: *laughs* "No problem. Sorry you'll be bored."
Me: "Nah, I can find something."
Da-da-daah

The most relaxing time of the week for me is Sunday brunch. Here on a veranda with my Earl Grey, pancake wrap (a pancake wrapped around two eggs, crispy bacon, and shredded manchego cheese), and fresh fruit cup...annnnd, of course, my trusty current read. Loving life 😎👍🏻.

When an entire page is considered a notable quote, you know you have something incredible in your hands. And there are pages of the like.

At a Wurst Festival. Great German food, great German music, great German beer, and a great book...based in NYC. Almost a clean sweep! 😜

What a fascinating and dark portrayal of two brothers who succumbed to depression and became some of the most famous shut ins of America. Very intimate and imaginative record of what their lives could have been like. Very well written. Some of the images will stay with me for a long time.