Powers's memoir of his turbulent relationship with his twin brother, Tim, has the feel of a mystery (the memoir centers on a search for the missing Tim over a three-day period). Throughout the narrative, Powers (a screenwriter who has also written for Good Morning America
) explores his family history, his mother's suicide, his father's alcoholism and the challenge of coming-of-age as a gay man (the twins and their older brother are all gay). Tim's troubles were often made worse by his struggle with alcoholism and drug abuse, compounded by a family history of mental illness. The twins were living in New York City in their mid-20s when Powers got a phone call one morning that Tim had not shown up for work. Being the responsible older brother (if only by five minutes), he begins his search, which leads him to Tim's alma mater in Texas, where he befriends an undergrad friend of Tim's who accompanies Powers on his search. Using old letters that Tim had written to Powers, they try to pinpoint where Tim might be, never knowing whether they will find him dead or alive. Although uneven writing distracts from the story, Powers's strength in relating his own personal struggles within the context of his twin's holds this unique memoir together. (Sept.)
