scudder09's review against another edition
3.0
Quick and entertaining. I think I have "stuff" but it's nothing compared to these guys!
just1angie's review against another edition
4.0
Read very quickly. Kindle version I read lacked any pictures whatsoever. Would have liked some for sure. Wow. What a hoard.
violetu's review against another edition
3.0
It wasn't as in-depth as I'd have liked, and the author spent too much time chatting about his own relatives and not enough chatting about the ultimate subjects of the book, but when I was finished I ran upstairs and made my 9 year old clean his room.. so, it had a bit of an impact.
threeminuterule's review against another edition
2.0
I would have enjoyed this more if the author stuck to just writing about Homer and Langley Collyer.
mizclaff's review against another edition
2.0
I'm so disappointed. Lidz's subject matter is a potential goldmine: two real-life Brooklyn recluses who lived (and died) in a Harlem brownstone packed from floor to ceiling with over 100 TONS of junk that they both systematically hoarded for several decades.
The book itself, though, like the Collyer brothers' mansion, is a jumbled heap studded with fascinating little nuggets that you kind of happen upon while stumbling around in the fug.
It's a shame how poorly-written this is, and how completely disorganized. The rambling, recursive timeline was distracting, and Lidz's tangents about his own compulsive collector uncle didn't help matters (although I guess I appreciate his experimental blending of memoir and historical account. I guess).
The information's out there. Please, someone write a better book about these guys.
The book itself, though, like the Collyer brothers' mansion, is a jumbled heap studded with fascinating little nuggets that you kind of happen upon while stumbling around in the fug.
It's a shame how poorly-written this is, and how completely disorganized. The rambling, recursive timeline was distracting, and Lidz's tangents about his own compulsive collector uncle didn't help matters (although I guess I appreciate his experimental blending of memoir and historical account. I guess).
The information's out there. Please, someone write a better book about these guys.
selfwinding's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting book about some unusual hoarders. Not exactly what I wanted it to be, but there was enough that held my attention for a quick read.
sarahbowman101's review against another edition
1.0
The pacing was terrible, the story was thin, the extra chapters (not just a side paragraph or two) about the author's family were bizarre, and the writing was at times awkward.
The only bright point of this is that it is only 161 pages of terrible pacing, boring story and awkward writing.
Skip this and instead read the excellent book 'Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things' by Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee.
The only bright point of this is that it is only 161 pages of terrible pacing, boring story and awkward writing.
Skip this and instead read the excellent book 'Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things' by Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee.
thecynthesizer's review against another edition
Awesome story, terrible writing. Quick read. The guy who wrote Devil in the White City needs to research these guys and write a book worthy of their crazy lives.
linddykal's review against another edition
3.0
A disorganized and odd little book about the Collyer’s, two old men from a wealthy Old Money NY family. They died in their mansion packed to the brim. It took police 16 days to find both bodies.
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