Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton will come together with her fans and readers at D.C.’s Sixth & I synagogue on February 6 to discuss her newly released memoir Brother & Sister and her challenges with her troubled brother Randy.
In her third memoir, Keaton shares many details about her relationship with her brother, who had mental health issues.
“Keaton and her brother Randy were close at a young age, until Randy became troubled and reclusive, leading a life away from his sister’s and their family. Brother & Sister contemplates the inner workings of families and the bond between siblings, even when pulled far apart,” the event brief says.
As a child, Keaton observed that her younger brother was suffering from inexplicable fears and cried often. Later in life, he started to write his violent fantasies about women.
However, Keaton’s parents never took Randy to a doctor, because according to her, mental health was a taboo subject at the time.
The 74-year-old’s brother, John Randolph Hall (71), was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizoid personality disorder and other conditions in the past. He currently has dementia and lives in a care facility. The actress visits him every Sunday.
“Now Diane is delving into the nuances of their shared, and separate, pasts to confront the difficult question of why and how Randy ended up living his life on ‘the other side of normal.’ In beautiful and fearless prose that’s intertwined with photographs, journal entries, letters, and poetry–many of them Randy’s own writing and art–this insightful memoir contemplates the inner workings of a family, the ties that hold it together, and the special bond between siblings even when they are pulled far apart,” according to the book’s summary.
General admission fee for the event is $40. Seating is on a first come first serve basis. There won’t be a book signing as all books will be pre-signed by the author.
You can call 202.408.3100 for accessible entry and accessible seating requests.