Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood
by Julie Ryan McGue
GENRE: Memoir
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/04/2025
DESCRIPTION:
From the award-winning author of "Twice a Daughter" comes the much-anticipated prequel.
In this coming-of-age memoir, set in Chicago’s western suburbs between the 1960s and 80s, adopted twins Julie and Jenny provide their parents with an instant family. Their sisterly bond holds tight as the two strive for identity, individuality and belonging. But as Julie’s parents continue adding children to the family, some painful and tragic experiences test family values, parental relationships and sibling bonds.
Faced with these hurdles, Julie questions everything — who she is, how she fits in, her adoption circumstances, her faith and her idea of family. But the life her parents have constructed is not one she wants for herself — and as she matures, she recognizes how the experiences that formed her have provided her a road map for the person and mother she wants to be.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julie Ryan McGue is an American writer, a domestic adoptee and an identical twin. She is the author of three published works: "Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging" (She Writes Press, 2021), "Belonging Matters: Conversations on Adoption, Family, and Kinship" (Muse Literary, 2023) and "Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood" (She Writes Press, Feb. 2025). Her work has appeared in multiple journals, anthologies, and online sites, such as Writer’s Digest, Story Circle Network Journal, Brevity Nonfiction Blog, Adoption.com and Severance Magazine. She also writes a bi-weekly blog and monthly column for her hometown newspaper in which she explores the topics of finding out who you are, where you belong and making sense of it. Julie splits her time between northwest Indiana and Sarasota, Florida.
REVIEWS:
"Through the lens of her personal history, McGue explores human nature, family, and connection ... Her writing is compelling and well-paced, building a narrative that keeps the reader close to every event she relates." — Kirkus Reviews
“Explores the resilient bond between twins, the realities of adoption, and the peaks and heartbreaking valleys of an American family.” — Andrew Tallackson, Editor, The Beacher Weekly Newspaper
“A heartfelt exploration of connection, community, and the unbreakable bond between sisters.” — Simone Knego, author of 'The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You: Follow Your Own Path, Discover Your Own Journey'
“A testament to how life hands us opportunities to heal even in the presence of gut-wrenching grief.” — Kim Fairley, author of Swimming for My Life and Shooting Out the Lights
“A thoughtful, brave, and compassionate story … McGue rings resilience.” — Diane Wheaton, author of Finding Loretta
COMPARATIVE FILM/BOOK:
Books: "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls, "Educated" by Tara Westover. Film: "Unstrung Heroes". Series: "Virgin River"
CASTING:
Julie and Jenny: Amy Adams and Michelle Monaghan; Jeanne Ryan: Meryl Streep; Jack Ryan: Tim Matheson
PRIMARY VENUES/LOCATIONS WITHIN THE BOOK:
Chicago, IL and it's western suburbs
BOOK EXCERPT:
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