Thomas and Dominic. Identical twins.
Dominic's life reminded me of a country song. You know the ones where anything that could go wrong eventually does. Consider: Dominic spent his entire life worrying about three things. One, who was his father? By not knowing his father Dominic feels he does not know himself. As a child he dreamed of his biological father and fantasized about the day this mystery man would swoop in and save him and Thomas from their abusive stepfather, Ray. Two, Dominic was convinced his mother loved his brother more. Maybe she really did because of Thomas's mental illness. On her deathbed she makes Dominic promise to look after Thomas, all the while refusing to reveal the true identity of their father. Three, Thomas's mental illness could be hereditary and sooner or later Dominic would inherit his brother's schizophrenia. Was he just as crazy as his brother and just not know it? All of these worries weigh on Dominic as he tries to cope. In giving up his own life to fulfill the promise he made to his mother his marriage falls apart and he quit his job as a history teacher (ironically, it is history that sets him free).
In order for this story to be successful the reader needed to be grounded in the current events of the time, otherwise Thomas's internal angst doesn't make sense. Eric Clapton's son falling from a window. Desert Storm. The beating of Rodney King. The world on fire. In addition to these unsettling times, Lamb throws in some equally difficult subjects like racism, AIDS, post traumatic stress suffered by veterans, diabetes, and of course, the complicated system of treating mental health.
I deeply love flawed characters; ones who find a way to change just enough that by the end of the book they are going to be okay, even if it is only somewhat okay. They haven't gone from devil to angel but their lives are not the disaster they once were. ( )

Story of Domonick and his troubled identical twin brother, who protests at the first Gulf War by cutting off his hand.[return][return]This leads Domonick to assess how his life has gone, and confront some long buried issues. [return][return]900 pages long, this is a biggie, have to admit to skimming chunks of it because I got a little bored, but generally worth while

Story of Domonick and his troubled identical twin brother, who protests at the first Gulf War by cutting off his hand.[return][return]This leads Domonick to assess how his life has gone, and confront some long buried issues. [return][return]900 pages long, this is a biggie, have to admit to skimming chunks of it because I got a little bored, but generally worth while

One of the best books I've ever read. Although it's long in length I think I read it in two or three days, I couldn't put it down. As soon as I was done I gave it to my Gran to read, she also loved it. Everyone should read this book!!! ( )

I read Lamb's book She's Come Undone, twice. I was stunned that a man could write so of a woman's experience. This title was recommended as a favorite by my daughter's boyfriend. A sensitive soul, for sure. ( )