My Brother’s Book

(My Brother’s Book by Maurice Sendak.)

When Maurice Sendak passed away last year, he left behind one final manuscript that was published recently.  My Brother’s Book is, at once, both the frightening and whimsical story Sendak wrote so well, and also something much darker and deeper.  While it’s billed as a book for young adults, I see it more as a love poem penned by an aging author at the end of his life.  Tony Kushner, who wrote the screenplay for Lincoln, was also a close friend of Sendak’s, and you can read and listen to his NPR interview about the book here.

I purchased the book to add to our Sendak collection, but soon discovered it isn’t for children, at least not as young as mine.  The story is really a metaphor, with powerful images that can frighten the youngest readers.  Still, I enjoyed its words and pictures, and the beautiful text deserves to be read aloud.

(My favorite page in the book.)

(Its accompanying illustration.)

(The illustration for the title page.)

All of Maurice Sendak’s books are treasured classics, but My Brother’s Book surpasses the rest, and truly conveys the author’s talent and purpose at the end of his long life.  Are you a fan of Maurice Sendak?  Have you had a chance to read this book?