Families are a mystery. Is everyones as complicated as ours? Is there such a thing as a normal one? We generally only get to see the polished exteriors and are left to imagine what might be going on behind closed doors.

Here is a book that takes us on a tour around the reality of families. It provides a rare, privileged glimpse into private realms, allowing us a new, profound understanding of ourselves and others.

Comprised of 60 interviews and portraits captured by five supremely talented photographers Mark Hobbs, Kate Peters, Marjolaine Ryley, Michelle Sank and Naomi Williams the book introduces us to an extraordinary array of participants: new parents, stepchildren, siblings, the wealthy and the marginalised, the old and the young.

What surfaces is the astounding diversity of family life and the number of commonalities too. Above all, we recognise the fundamental role that family plays in making us who we are.

This is a book for anyone who has ever wondered about their family or fantasised about being part of someone elses in short, this is a book for us all.