Like Brothers

By: Mindy Kaling - foreword, Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass

Narrated by: Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass

Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

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 ("17 Refreshing Books to Read This Summer")]

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 listeners 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 oversize home video camera in the suburbs of New Orleans to their shared years at the University of Texas in early '90s 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 50-50, 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)

©2018 Jay and Mark Duplass (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Mark and Jay Duplass are not just brothers, kind of like their book is not just a memoir.... The book playfully darts between essays, pop-culture tributes and self-help tips.... What sets Like Brothers apart...is the uncanny bond between its authors.... Like Brothers is ultimately a fascinating window into the creative process, showing the complexities that come with being so inextricably linked." (USA Today)

“In my next life I’d like to come back as a Duplass Brother. But until then I’ll just enjoy their hilarious, insightful book.” (Judd Apatow)

"A likable memoir of how Jay and Mark Duplass blazed their idiosyncratic trail, and an inspiring how-to guide." (The New York Times Book Review)

Loved Like Brothers!!!

Loved every chapter and how they were told by the Duplass Brothers. Did I LIKE the book LIKE BROTHERS? I LOVE it!

Proposed Position for Hire: Jay & Mark's sidekick

What a treat to listen to Jay and Mark not only reveal the trials and tribulations of being creative brothers making media, but also their sage advice and impressions of the film and television biz!

This book is an independent filmmaker's fantasy dream come true.
PS- Jay & Mark on YouTube ten years ago taught me basic filmmaking. At 45 years old.
Thank you Jay and Mark.

A Great Listen

The stories are fun and funny and you really feel love put into their relationship and the telling of their history.

I loved them before but now I know why

This is an endearing and entertaining memoir, full of love and incredible loyalty. The truth of their relationship rings consistent and enviable throughout their childhood, creations and careers. Well done, brothers.

Twice is nice

So good! I'll listen again! I have two boys and I want them to hear it too.

Great book!

I loved the story and the storytelling. Their closeness is wonderful and I enjoyed the performance.

A Fun Read for a Film Professor

The Brothers’ are raw and vulnerable here in an endearing way, but I truly loved their openness about their journey into and within the screen storytelling ecosystems. I’ll certainly be sharing some of their anecdotes with my students. Two words: throw pillows. Working for studios is not all it’s cracked up to be. Independent work is a tough road, but it’s not impossible.

One of the bests

I have loved the duplass bros for a while now and truly love this book. Would make a strong argument that it is at its best as an audio book because of their performance.

All Siblings should listen to this book.

I love the relationship you guys have. Wish I could say I have that, close but definitely not like yours. Loved this audible.

Not Just for Filmmakers!

This was great and insightful book—
and not just for cinephiles who enjoy the films of the Brothers Duplass!

There are wonderful and emotional life reflections contained within their stories.

So, for me, listening to LIKE BROTHERS was useful as a filmmaker and as a person!