Brother

Beautiful, and, damn, so hard to organize my thoughts for this one. For me it struck chords of living on the edges of society, never belonging or fitting in anywhere: Francis, the hep older brother whose assertiveness masks tragic insecurities; Michael, our narrator, seemingly ineffectual, living in his brother's shadow, paralyzed by his own more overt insecurities; their mother, an immigrant having long lost the hope of an education and better life for herself, fiercely pushing that dream on her uncomprehending children. All of them bearing crushing responsibilities, trapped in bleak circumstances; and then, after a tragedy, trapping their own selves even further.

There's so much I'm thinking but just can't express, and really, why should I? This is a book to ponder, to discuss in person, perhaps to reread; not one to pontificate about. I‘m not sure it'll work for everyone, but if you've ever felt the lonely isolation of not fitting in; if you've ever struggled—whether or not you're an actual immigrant, whatever color your skin—to assimilate, and other times worked just as hard to defend who you are; if you've ever striven toward a better life, if it hasn't quite worked out; you might appreciate this book.