[nycfem]

Double Down: Reflections on Gambling and Loss

by

Frederick Barthelme and Steven Barthelme


This is a memoir by two adult brothers whose parents both die within a short timeframe, and the brothers become compulsive gamblers and within a matter of a few years lose their fairly sizable inheritance (and gain debt) at the casinos. They are both smart, reflective English professors, and the quality of the writing as well as the way in which they try to figure out psychologically how they let this happen are both very impressive. I definitely recommend this book. It covers grief, our parents' hold on us even as adults and after their deaths, the complicated aspects of sibling relationships, and addiction all with such care.

I was not sure I'd like this book because I don't gamble and felt I might get bored, but instead I'm mesmerized. Big thumbs up!