Like Brothers
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4.5 • 44 Ratings
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
The multitalented writers, directors, producers, and actors (as seen on The League, Transparent, and The Mindy Project) share the secrets of their lifelong partnership in this unique memoir.
“A book that anyone will love . . . You can enjoy it even if you have no idea who the Duplass brothers are.”—Janet Maslin, The New York Times
Whether producing, writing, directing, or acting, the Duplass Brothers have made their mark in the world of independent film and television on the strength of their quirky and empathetic approach to storytelling. Now, for the first time, Mark and Jay take readers on a tour of their lifelong partnership in this unique memoir told in essays that share the secrets of their success, the joys and frustrations of intimate collaboration, and the lessons they’ve learned the hard way.
From a childhood spent wielding an oversized home video camera in the suburbs of New Orleans to their shared years at the University of Texas in early-nineties Austin, and from the breakthrough short they made on a three-dollar budget to the night their feature film Baghead became the center of a Sundance bidding war, Mark and Jay tell the story of a bond that’s resilient, affectionate, mutually empowering, and only mildly dysfunctional. They are brutally honest about how their closeness sabotaged their youthful romantic relationships, about the jealousy each felt when the other stole the spotlight as an actor (Mark in The League, Jay in Transparent), and about the challenges they faced on the set of their HBO series Togetherness—namely, too much togetherness.
But Like Brothers is also a surprisingly practical road map to a rewarding creative partnership. Rather than split all their responsibilities fifty-fifty, the brothers learned to capitalize on each other’s strengths. They’re not afraid to call each other out, because they’re also not afraid to compromise. Most relationships aren’t—and frankly shouldn’t be—as intense as Mark and Jay’s, but their brand of trust, validation, and healthy disagreement has taken them far.
Part coming-of-age memoir, part underdog story, and part insider account of succeeding in Hollywood on their own terms, Like Brothers is as openhearted and lovably offbeat as Mark and Jay themselves.
“Wright. Ringling. Jonas. I’m sure you could name a bunch of famous brother teams. They’re all garbage compared to Mark and Jay. I can’t wait for you to read this book.”—from the foreword by Mindy Kaling
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The Duplass brothers, who run Duplass Brothers Productions and frequently write, direct, and star in their own productions, bring a free-flowing conversational style to the highly enjoyable audio edition of their joint memoir. The book alternates between chapters chronicling the brothers' upbringing in Metairie, La., and those detailing their professional relationship, including their regular brainstorming sessions at airports, in which the brothers create intricate backstories for the people they observe waiting in terminals. The most memorable part of the book involves an annotated version of Mark's edgy short story "The Blowjob," along with Jay's feedback, in which the brothers effectively use tone, pitch, and comedic timing to convey the often-tortured nature of the creative process. The brothers both draw on their acting chops to recreate their points of view in anecdotes from their childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. Though primarily of interest to inspiring filmmakers, the brothers' fun-loving dynamic should appeal to all types of listeners. A Ballantine hardcover.
Customer Reviews
Loved it
Been a fan for a long time. I didn’t know this book would’ve gotten so much into their dynamic as brothers. I respect and appreciate how much they shared about that and their filmmaking process. I liked that they talked about their vulnerabilities and mistakes as much as they did about their wins, if not more so. I also liked how the book adopted different formats and how they switched voices throughout, while still going chronologically through their career. Overall I found this as edifying as I do their films. It felt very honest and authentic.
Honest and Relatable
Even if you’ve never heard of the Duplass brothers, or their work, and even if you have no interest in knowing about the world of independent film-making, this book will move something in you. If you have a sibling or a close friend, even more so.
Exactly what I needed
What a lovely, heartfelt and real book. Since I have been quarantined like the rest of the world, this was the perfect fit in allowing me to feel all the feels. Having a close relationship with my own siblings, I found how they communicated to be brave, endearing and just refreshing. Thank you for telling your story. I devoured this book and hope you’ll both consider writing another.