Goodreads Blurb
From the beloved film star and best-selling author of Then Again: a heartfelt memoir about her relationship with her younger brother, and a poignant exploration of the divergent paths siblings’ lives can take.
When they were children in the suburbs of Los Angeles in the 1950s, Diane Keaton and her younger brother, Randy, were best friends and companions: they shared stories at night in their bunk beds; they swam, laughed, dressed up for Halloween. Their mother captured their American-dream childhoods in her diaries, and on camera. But as they grew up, Randy became troubled, then reclusive. By the time he reached adulthood, he was divorced, an alcoholic, a man who couldn’t hold on to full-time work–his life a world away from his sister’s, and from the rest of their family.
Now Diane is delving into the nuances of their shared, and separate, pasts to confront the difficult question of why and how Randy ended up living his life on “the other side of normal.” In beautiful and fearless prose that’s intertwined with photographs, journal entries, letters, and poetry–many of them Randy’s own writing and art–this insightful memoir contemplates the inner workings of a family, the ties that hold it together, and the special bond between siblings even when they are pulled far apart. Here is a story about love and responsibility: about how, when we choose to reach out to the people we feel closest to–in moments of difficulty and loss–surprising things can happen. A story with universal echoes, Brother & Sister will speak across generations to families whose lives have been touched by the fragility and “otherness” of loved ones–and to brothers and sisters everywhere.
My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Diane wrote a biography that share’s her brother Randy’s struggle throughout his life. Randy and Diane were very close when they were little. He had always been a recluse and as time went by he couldn’t find a way to fit in. She wrote this novel with letters from family, journal entries, poems from Randy and pictures of Randy’s life. Randy was a an amazing writer and poet. He found peace in writing and creating his picture collages.
His poetry was raw and vivid. He wrote dark thoughts and feelings that he didn’t know how to share with others. His brilliant mind kept him a prisoner his whole life. This novel will break your heart. You can see the love of a mother who wanted to protect Randy from everything around him. The love around him wasn’t enough for him to live a normal life. Alcoholism with his mental health issues created a dark man with no care in the world. You can’t help those who don’t want to be helped. I wish Randy was able to find the proper treatment and find peace within his mind, body and soul. Wishing him peace for the rest of his life to him and his family.
Author Biography
Diane Keaton (born Diane Hall) is an Academy Award-winning American film actress. Her first major film role was Kay Adams-Corleone in The Godfather movies. She starred with director and co-star Woody Allen in “Play It Again, Sam,” “Sleeper,” “Love and Death,” “Annie Hall” and “Manhattan.” She has starred in many other films and worked as a director, producer, and screenwriter.
A number of books of her photography have been published.
In 2017, I was able to meet this lovely lady. She was so down to earth. She walked into the Barnes and Nobles in Paramus with no security guard. I was super happy I got to meet such a wonderful person. I so want her boots.
FabulousReader4Ever 