My Brother's Book. By Maurice Sendak (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
Read it twice in about six minutes. Touching. But I think it requires more insight into Sendak's life and "A Winter's Tale" to derive much meaning from it. Also, the copy I read was so small. The prints deserved a larger, better format...which they probably get in a different edition.A comment on ratings...I'm reading down the comments and you'd think this WAS Shakespeare! C'mon folks; this was sweet, it was personal, it was well written and I have to imagine that the prints were beautiful but my edition had pages waaaaay to small to see.But this is not by any stretch of any sane imagination a classic of literature. We'll agree: It's definitely not Shakespeare. It's not Tennyson. It's not Yeats. It's not Frost. Unlikely that it's either Kay Ryan or Mary Oliver. Billy Collins? Not sure.It reminds more of the works of Tove Jannson - a wonderful author! So poignant, so quiet and centered, so true. My hats off to Sendak for this work and his oeuvre but (I repeat), seriously, this book is not the pinnacle of the form. These 5-star ratings are homages to a man who influenced our childhood; social palm fronds, giddy peer concensus, a way to say, "I know. I know," but they are not assesments of literature.Ok, fire away. My Brother's Book by Maurice SendakLovely, Sorrowful, Poignant, Bittersweet...This is one of those books that will stay with you long after you put it down. The illustrations are gorgeous and Sendak's poem to his brother Jack is both heartbreakingly beautiful and comforting "And Jack slept safe, enfolded in his brother's arms. And Guy whispered, "Good night..."It's impossible not to be moved by this book, especially in light of Sendak's recent death. It so perfectly captures the unwavering loss felt at the death of a loved one - a loss that does not lessen with time, but instead becomes more acute as days turn into months and then to years.As other reviewers have commented, buy one for yourself, for your sibling(s), for your friends. I can imagine giving this book as a gift to someone who has suffered a recent loss, as well. Comforting words are so difficult to find when someone we care for is grieving. This book, instead, offers a deep understanding that can only be found among those who have loved deeply and mourned with passion.Finally, it must be noted that this book is beautifully constructed, as well. With gorgeously heavy paper, forest green cloth-covered and embossed boards, and a dust jacket that is both delicate and substantial - this is a book that begs to be held and caressed. I realize that may sound a bit heavy handed to some readers, but fellow bibliophiles will be nodding in agreement.
What do You think about My Brother's Book. By Maurice Sendak (2013)?
I loved this book ... triple play, evocative of Shakespeare and Blake, created by a mature Sendak.
—Saharsharelo
I liked it, but didn't really understand it.
—awan
