The instant New York Times bestseller The Washington Post calls a “stunning…superbly rendered” novel, and Entertainment Weekly describes as “a gripping family saga, maybe the best…since The Corrections.” As an Irish immigrant in Queens in 1941, Eileen has dreamed of more in her life—but when she and her family seem to be moving closer to that dream, devastation hits and they must learn how to not … that dream, devastation hits and they must learn how to not only hold on to their reality, but to each other.
Born in 1941, Eileen Tumulty is raised by her Irish immigrant parents in Woodside, Queens, in an apartment where the mood swings between heartbreak and hilarity, depending on how much alcohol has been consumed. From an early age, Eileen wished that she lived somewhere else. She sets her sights on upper class Bronxville, New York, and an American Dream is born.
Driven by this longing, Eileen places her stock and love in Ed Leary, a handsome young scientist, and with him begins a family. Over the years Eileen encourages her husband to want more: a better job, better friends, a better house. It slowly becomes clear that his growing reluctance is part of a deeper, more incomprehensive psychological shift. An inescapable darkness enters their lives, and Eileen and Ed and their son Connell try desperately to hold together a semblance of the reality they have known, and to preserve, against long odds, an idea they have cherished of the future.
Described by The New York Times Book Review as “A long, gorgeous epic, full of love and caring…one of the best novels you’ll read this year,” We Are Not Ourselves is a testament to our greatest desires and our greatest frailties. Through the lives of these characters, Thomas charts the story of the American Century. The result is, “stunning…The joys of this book are the joys of any classic work of literature—for that is what this is destined to become—superbly rendered small moments that capture both an individual life and the universality of that person’s experience” (The Washington Post).
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I loved this book. It is an honest depiction of middle class America. Following one family’s dreams and challenges. We are not so very different from each other. Put it on your list. You’ll be glad you did.
I don’t understand the glowing reviews I’ve read. The pace is plodding. The writing lacks grace, elegance, or insight. There’s not much in the way of plot. I’m just 1/3 of the way through and maybe it gets better, but I’m doubtful.
This book was one I couldn’t put down. It did not turn out the way I thought it would. The characters were compelling and realistic, and the story was interesting and original.
Written well but depressive and failed to greatly entertain
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I was not expecting the Alzheimer’s diagnosis but I should have because my father and younger brother had it. My heart broke for Ed and Eileen. This book brought about so many emotions for me and it was difficult at times to read things I had experienced with my loved ones, but you wrote it very …
Awesome story you got here! I like how the plot is going. If you have some great stories like this one, you can publish it on NóvelStar, just submit your story to hardy@nóvelstar.top or joye@nóvelstar.top
Raw, honest and heartbreaking.
Superb writing…can this really be a young man who is the author?
A little bit too long and repetitive but still a good read
Too wordy
We Are Not Ourselves features a family whose father is normal at first, but who slowly and steadily shows signs of Alzheimer’s. The wife, a nurse, does everything she can to take care of him and their son, who is another interesting character. Families coping with Alzheimer’s should read this book. They will relate to it, especially to the …
One of the worst books I ‘ve ever read. I finished it thinking it was going to get better but it didn’t. The author was just taking the terrible family actions into a new generations. Obviously not my kind of literature
I usually don’t struggle with reviewing books, but this one is/was a hard one for me. Many times while reading this book I told myself I was finished with it and put it down. Then the following day I’d pick it up and continue. I’m glad I finished it but am once again swearing off books about disfunctional families.
Really well written, characters developed and real
One of the best books I have read in a long time. The author could have ended it sooner, but chose to continue to show what happened to the characters in a way many writers do not do. So often I am left with questions. Not with this book. Truly excellent writing. I highly recommend it.
This book takes you through the life of a family facing life’s changes. Be prepared to laugh and to cry, but read this book.
Did not finish, poor character intro, rambling writing, would not recommend this book
Interesting beginning to the book but it quickly began to drag. I started yelling at the book “Where’s the editor?”, “End this misery”, etc. The book went on way too long. The question really is “Why did I finish it?”
I literally shut out the outside world when I entered these pages. Good read!