DigeeBooks

In the vein of Mary Beth Keane’s Ask Again, Yes and Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney's The Nest, Tracey Lange’s We Are the Brennans explores the staying power of shame - and the redemptive power of love - in an Irish Catholic family torn apart by secrets.

When 29-year-old Sunday Brennan wakes up in a Los Angeles hospital, bruised and battered after a drunk driving accident she caused, she swallows her pride and goes home to her family in New York. But it’s not easy. She deserted them all - and her high school sweetheart - five years before with little explanation, and they've got questions.

Sunday is determined to rebuild her life back on the east coast, even if it does mean tiptoeing around resentful brothers and an ex-fiancé. The longer she stays, however, the more she realizes they need her just as much as she needs them. When a dangerous man from her past brings her family’s pub business to the brink of financial ruin, the only way to protect them is to upend all their secrets - secrets that have damaged the family for generations and will threaten everything they know about their lives. In the aftermath, the Brennan family is forced to confront painful mistakes - and ultimately find a way forward, together.

A Macmillan Audio production from Celadon Books

"Reading this novel is like getting a view through a lighted window on a family sitting around a table after dark. Who are they? What are they talking about? All families have their own story and the ways they tell it to themselves, and untangling the many strands of this one was deep and richly satisfying. Once I started, I couldn't stop. I read it in one long delicious slide." (Sarah Blake, New York Times best-selling author of The Guest Book)

In Tracey Lange's captivating novel, "We Are the Brennans," we are introduced to a resilient Irish family navigating the tumultuous waves of life in Depression-era Boston. Through the eyes of young Annie Brennan, we witness the struggles and triumphs of a close-knit clan determined to overcome adversity and maintain their unwavering bond.

With vivid prose, Lange paints a poignant portrait of the Brennans as they grapple with poverty, illness, and the harsh realities of life in the early 20th century. Annie's indomitable spirit shines through as she fights for her family's survival, relying on her quick wit and unwavering optimism to lift their spirits and provide hope amidst despair.

The Brennan family's unwavering love for one another serves as the bedrock of their strength. Despite the hardships they face, they find solace and support within their close-knit circle. Annie's siblings, Patrick, Sean, and Bridget, each contribute their unique talents and personalities to the family's resilience, forming an unbreakable bond that carries them through their darkest days.

As the Brennans navigate the challenges of unemployment, eviction, and the threat of illness, they find solace in the simple joys of life. Their shared laughter, tears, and determination create a tapestry of resilience and hope that resonates with readers of all backgrounds.

Through Annie's eyes, we witness the transformation of the Brennan family as they overcome adversity. Their unwavering determination to stay afloat, their unwavering love for one another, and their ability to find joy in the midst of hardship serve as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human heart.