Thicker Than Blood

“We come to understand what the issues of family, race and self-confidence mean for Andrea, Pearl, and Nancy as we discover secrets about them that even they don’t know about one another. Gaining access to the deepest darkest parts of their pasts, the reader is able to sympathize and interact with these characters in a way that the characters themselves are not able to do with one another. In turn, the characters are strengthened and we become more invested in their imperfect and disjointed lives. . . . beautiful and moving . . . Leary has done a brilliant job of gathering universal themes and holding them up for the reader to observe and judge for herself. An excellent first novel.”—Centered on Books

“…a great book club selection, especially with its themes of mixed-race families, sisters, and adoption.”—BethFish Reads

". . . its portrait of a mixed-race family illustrates the parallel worlds inhabited by black and white Americans and the damage that needs to be repaired before we can truly call ourselves a post-racial country.”—Kirkus Reviews

“It is rare that a contemporary novel offers the heart-shattering wisdom of THICKER THAN BLOOD. In its portrayals of the always-shifting "American identity," it offers readers insight into how we have perceived the "American dream" during the past three generations. Jan English Leary's novel masterfully unfolds the stories of unforgettable characters at the moments when they are making and losing and returning to and abandoning all their first assumptions of home and of family.”—Kevin McIlvoy, author of 57 Octaves Below Middle C, The Complete History of New Mexico, Hyssop, Little Peg

“Jan English Leary, a first rate storyteller, examines the intersection between idealism, the harsh reality of post-racist America, the challenges of adoption and the brutality of family life in general. The journey of parenthood is not for the faint-hearted. I read this novel with great admiration for the writer and vicarious pain for her characters.”—Goldie Goldbloom, author of The Paperbark Shoe and You Lose These

“In her debut novel, Jan English Leary sensitively explores themes of parenthood, adoption, and race, never shying away from the uncomfortable realities that make up the business of living. Through multiple perspectives, we meet characters who, though wildly different, share an aching desire to find their place in the world and connect with others. Their efforts to do so and the challenges they face form the basis of this compelling story. Leary has a deft hand; her clear, intuitive prose offers insight into the disappointments, mystery, and beauty underlying human love.”—Janice Deal, author of The Decline of Pigeons

“In Thicker Than Blood, Jan English Leary tackles big issues: the mother-daughter bond, race, adoption, and immigration, to name a few. . . [a] well-crafted and insightful novel. . . With great empathy and insight, Leary portrays a mother-daughter relationship that is both unconventional and universal. I was left thinking of Pearl and Andrea, and wishing them well, long after I turned the final page.”—Katherine Shonk, The Red Passport and Happy Now?

“ . . . How individuals seek and avoid love, how they misunderstand and hurt one another are at the heart of all intimate relationships. How this bind is magnified and complicated by the pressure of race is what this fine novel reveals. Written with uncommon grace and profound insight, Thicker Than Blood is a brave and poignant novel.”—Lynn Sloan, author of Principles of Navigation

“Heart-rending from beginning to end . . .”—Marylee MacDonald, author of Montpelier Tomorrow