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nycfem · 07-01-2012, 02:45 PM

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!

07-01-2012, 02:45 PM	#11
nycfem Moderator How Do You Identify?: femme sub Preferred Pronoun?: Baby Grrl Relationship Status: Attached Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 6,794 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 52,987 Thanked 21,452 Times in 5,101 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	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!