Review: Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood
Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood is a beautifully written and truly captivating true story by award-winning author Julie Ryan McGue.
A gripping tale of adopted twins navigating love, loss, and identity in suburban Chicago, Twice the Family shows us that joining a foster and adoptive family means there is always the possibility of more children entering the home, bringing changes that shape the lives of everyone involved.
As in life, things are not always as they seem at first glance as even where there is laughter and joy, dramatic moments can unfold, and secrets can hide around every corner. This coming-of-age memoir, set between the 1960s and ’80s, follows adopted twins Julie and Jenny as they grow up within their family and begin to understand who they are.
Katie Hagaman does an excellent job as the narrator for Twice the Family, bringing all the characters to life with talent, passion, and compassion. There were several moments where her performance moved me to tears as this is a true story, and it shows.
It is powerful, engaging, intriguing, entertaining, dramatic, raw, and, just as importantly, uplifting and informative. I understand there is a sequel, which I would be more than happy to review if given the opportunity.
As always, if Twice the Family sounds like something that might interest you, I recommend listening to the audio sample first to get a feel for the writing and narration. If it works for you, it is well worth picking up!
Victor Dima
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