We Are Not Ourselves

We Are Not Ourselves follows the life of Eileen Tumulty, born in 1941 to Irish immigrant parents in Queens, New York. Through her eyes, the narrative traces decades of American life, from her working-class childhood through marriage, motherhood, and professional ambitions. The story centers on Eileen's relationship with Edmund Leary, a promising young scientist she meets in the 1960s, and their life together as they pursue the American Dream. Their journey includes raising a son and navigating the social and economic transformations of late 20th century America. The novel examines how families face unexpected challenges and how dreams evolve over time. It captures the tension between ambition and acceptance, exploring what happens when life refuses to follow the expected path. Through this multi-generational story, Thomas creates a meditation on identity, class mobility, and the nature of love in the face of adversity. The novel raises questions about what truly defines a successful life and how people maintain dignity when confronted with circumstances beyond their control.

Readers describe this as a detailed multi-generational story that requires patience, with many noting the slow pace of the first 200 pages before the narrative gains momentum. Readers appreciated: - The detailed portrayal of an Irish-American family in Queens - The realistic depiction of marriage and family dynamics - The accurate handling of medical challenges and caregiving - The depth of character development, particularly Eileen Tumulty Common criticisms: - Length (620 pages) and slow pacing - Too much mundane detail about daily life - Characters that some found difficult to empathize with - Depressing tone throughout Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (24,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (1,000+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (800+ ratings) One reader noted: "Like real life - sometimes tedious but ultimately meaningful." Another said: "The level of detail that frustrated me in the beginning became the book's greatest strength by the end."

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📚 Matthew Thomas spent 10 years writing We Are Not Ourselves while working as a high school English teacher in New York City. 🏆 The novel was acquired by Simon & Schuster for a reported seven-figure advance, making it one of the most notable debut novel deals of 2014. 🗽 The book's portrayal of Irish-American life in Queens draws heavily from Thomas's own experiences growing up in an Irish immigrant community. 🧬 The author's personal experience with his father's early-onset Alzheimer's disease influenced the novel's powerful depiction of the illness and its impact on families. 📖 The book's title comes from King Lear: "We are not ourselves/When nature, being oppressed, commands the mind/To suffer with the body."