Hundred Brothers, Antrim Donald

With a New Introduction by Jonathan Franzen

Theres Rob, Bob, Tom, Paul, Ralph, and Noah; Nick, Dennis, Bertram, Russell, and Virgil. The doctor, the documentary filmmaker, and the sculptor in burning steal; the eldest, the youngest, and the celebrated perfect brother, Benedict. In Donald Antrims mordantly funny novel The Hundred Brothers, our narrator and his colossal fraternity of ninety-eight brothers (one couldnt make it) have assembled in the crumbling library of their familys estate for a little sinister fun. Executed with the invention and intelligence of Barthelme and Pynchon, Antrims taxonomy of male specimens is in equal proportions disturbing and absurdly hilarious.