Brothers Keepers

A group of Benedictine monks faces eviction from their Manhattan monastery when a real estate developer announces plans to demolish their building. Brother Benedict leads his fellow monks in searching for legal loopholes and organizing efforts to save their home, despite their limited experience with the outside world. The monks must venture into modern New York City and navigate unfamiliar territory - from law offices to city hall to local politics. Their sheltered lifestyle and strict routines clash with the fast-paced urban environment as they race against time to prevent the destruction of their monastery. The story combines elements of comedy, mystery and social commentary while exploring themes of tradition versus progress, faith versus pragmatism, and the tension between spiritual and material values in contemporary society.

Many readers describe Brothers Keepers as a lighter, more humorous Westlake novel compared to his crime fiction. The story of monks trying to save their monastery resonates with readers who appreciate its gentle comedy and warmth. Readers liked: - The unique premise of peaceful monks facing real estate developers - The blend of humor with moments of genuine emotion - Clear, straightforward writing style - Memorable supporting characters Common criticisms: - Slower pacing compared to Westlake's other works - Less compelling than his crime novels - Some found the plot too simple Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (21 ratings) Specific reader comments: "A sweet-natured comedy of manners" - Goodreads reviewer "Not as sharp as his Dortmunder series" - Amazon reviewer "The monks' personalities make this worth reading" - LibraryThing user The book maintains a modest but dedicated following among Westlake fans.

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🔖 Author Donald E. Westlake wrote "Brothers Keepers" under his own name, though he was famous for using multiple pseudonyms including Richard Stark and Tucker Coe throughout his career. 🏰 The novel centers around Carthusian monks living in New York City - one of the strictest Catholic orders, known for their vows of silence and isolation, making their presence in bustling Manhattan particularly unusual. 📚 While most of Westlake's works are crime novels or capers, "Brothers Keepers" stands out as a gentler comedy about monks trying to save their monastery from real estate developers. 🏆 Westlake was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 1993, the highest honor bestowed by the organization, demonstrating his significant impact on the mystery genre. 🗽 The plot was inspired by real events in 1960s New York City, when several historic buildings, including Pennsylvania Station, were demolished for modern development despite public protests.