A tender, beautifully observed portrait of a large Irish-American family—its joys, its heartbreaks, and the quiet power of connection through generations.
 
For the Blessing family of Northeast Philadelphia, life unfolds through moments big and small: births, deaths, weddings, and losses that shape who they are and who they become. Spanning two decades, The Blessings follows multiple members of the family as they navigate love, grief, faith, and forgiveness—bound always by the invisible threads of loyalty and love.
 
In The Blessings, Elise Juska crafts an intimate and emotionally rich portrait of ordinary lives that feel extraordinary in their honesty. Through interconnected stories, we witness the evolving dynamics of the Blessing family—each chapter offering a glimpse into a different member’s heart, from a mother raising children alone to a young man struggling with identity and faith.
 
Written with warmth, empathy, and precise emotional detail, Juska captures the rhythm of family life—its laughter, tension, and enduring grace. Fans of Anne Tyler and Elizabeth Strout will find much to love in this quiet yet deeply moving novel about how love and loss echo across generations.
 
A Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection, The Blessings is a celebration of resilience, everyday beauty, and the ties that make us who we are.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
A touching, character-driven family saga spanning generations.
Beautifully written and full of emotional truth.
Perfect balance of nostalgia, realism, and hope.
Elise Juska’s writing invites reflection and connection.
Ideal for readers who enjoy multi-perspective storytelling.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler.
Readers who love thoughtful, emotionally resonant fiction.
Book clubs exploring family, faith, and forgiveness.
Anyone drawn to stories about ordinary lives and lasting love.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed The Blessings, you might also like:
The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout — family and redemption.
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane — neighboring families and generations of change.
Saint Maybe by Anne Tyler — guilt, faith, and the grace of forgiveness.