Family of Strangers

by Susan Beth Pfeffer

A journal becomes young Abbey Talbott's only escape from the disintegration of her perfect family and the intense arguments between her father and sister, until a suicide attempt leads to counseling to help her cope with her dysfunctional family.

Genres: Young Adult

164 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1992

About the author

Susan Beth Pfeffer was an American author best known for young adult and science fiction. After writing for 35 years, she received wider notice for her series of post-apocalyptic novels, officially titled "The Life as We Knew It Series", but often called "The Last Survivors" or "Moon Crash" series, some of which appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Reviews

[Alex Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book when I was a kid and it was wonderful to see how well it still holds up. This book feels magical to me. As a depressed kid/young teen, it was so helpful to see a main character like Abby who was depressed and didn't have a support system, but could still work on figuring things out herself.

This book is told in epistolary format with letters, fake conversation, essays, and pretty much anything else Abby rights over the course of months. It's an interesting way to get to know her not only because you're seeing her innermost thoughts, but also how she presents herself in letters to her sister, not always truthfully. Or how she remembers her past and what memories stand out to her. It's such a short read, but manages to be so incredibly impactful.

I love how realistic this book is. It's not a picture perfect happy ending, but neither is it constant drama and pain. Abby has an abusive father and an overall dysfunctional family, but it's done in such a small way. It feels real. It doesn't feel like melodrama for a story, but rather just her life. I love reading books that do feel small and realistic and like every day kind of lives.

I'd highly recommend picking this one up. It's a bit old, but will forever be one of my favorites. I've read some of Susan Beth Pfeffer's other books and while they're quite good as well, this is by far my favorite. I connected so much with Abby as a kid and rereading it as an adult just reinforced that.

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m revisiting some childhood favorite books. Maybe I enjoyed this because MG didn’t have many books back in the day. There’s no need for anyone to read this in the twenty-first century.

[Emily N · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is...interesting. The story is told through letters, memiors, college essays, and wills. I didnt particularly like that style, I did at first but then it just got annoying and old. What i learned from this book is that giving up is not an option...no matter how inviting it is...no matter what the circumstances are...u cant give up. I would reccomend this book to anybody who is looking for something that is chalked full of emotion and hardships.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book over and over in middle school. It's about a girl trapped in a very dysfunctional family who writes letters to a friend expressing her wishes, fears, angst, and other emotions that are not openly expressed in the house. The writing is genuine, and it's hard not to feel empathy with Abby.

[Rahma ashraf · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is 4 am and i just have finished it
I came across it in old books store but it was really a great book ,too bad it had to end
although English isn't my first language but she really has a simple lovely style
it was more than great i really lost track of time while reading it
can't wait to read more of her writting

[Jun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book years ago in one night and cried throughout most of the second half. Beautifully told through a number of interesting formats-- transcripts, essays, letters ... It's almost too easy to relate to the main character.

[شروق ابو زيد · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting book
i enjoyed reading it as it is a realistic novel
it's not "too much drama " nor "happy ending"
it's written in a different way not like all novels
shows how people could change totally when they lose someone they love

[Margaret Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was interesting reading a book about a girl who had no friends. I think it's in this book the older sister says that she thought if she ever had a friend she could talk to she wouldn't be as popular as she was. I don't get it but I like it!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good book. I could relate to this.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book perfectly captures how it feels to be an emotionally neglected, isolated adolescent.

[Isabelle Ibrarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was in middle school. Very emotional. After all this time I never forgot this book, which really made an impression on me.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why is this book so hard to find? I read it once in high school and didn’t see it again for TWELVE YEARS. No public library, nor bookstore, nor thrift store, nor website i tried had any listings. A friend of mine finally found it, but I don’t know where.

It is a good, honest look into a teenage girl’s mind though. She and her sisters are suffering from their parents bad outlook or shitty relationship or whatever adult circumstances, societal standards, or parental guidance issues their parents have. She feels left out, unheard, and while not physically abused, made to feel like a burden for seeking help from a professional after a suicide attempt.

As cheesy as some people find it, i think it’s very personal and demonstrative that we witness most of these events through her essays or skits, which i definitely wrote while growing up. In the end, we start to see her family try. That’s all anyone can do is try