Written by Ellen de Saint Phalle, Director of Community Relations, Concordia College

Oct. 15, 2014: Matthew Thomas, whose debut novel, We Are Not Ourselves, has been hailed by both readers and critics, will speak at Concordia College's Books & Coffee program on Thursday, October 30, at 7:00 pm in the Sommer Center for Worship and the Performing Arts.

The novel, a multigenerational saga of an Irish-American family, follows the life of Eileen Tumulty Leary over the course of 60 years, starting with her working-class childhood in Queens and proceeding through her married life in Bronxville.

Through Eileen and her family, Thomas charts the story of the American Century, particularly the promise of domestic bliss and economic prosperity that captured hearts and minds after World War II. Eileen pursues a nursing career and marries Ed Leary, a neuroscientist who shares her Irish working-class background, but not her fierce ambition. Although frustrated by Ed's refusal to accept higher-paying jobs, Eileen remains devoted to him and their son, Connell, and continues to seek out ways in which she can better their lives. But Ed's early-onset Alzheimer's shatters Eileen's aspirations for a bigger life and the family struggles under the strain of Ed's diminishing health.

Janet Maslin of the New York Times calls the book "a devastating debut novel . . . an honest, intimate family story with the power to rock you to your core." John Podhoretz of the New York Post proclaims it "the best American novel in a very long time."

We Are Not Ourselves is a fictionalized account of Thomas's relationship with his own father's battle with Alzheimer's disease. Ten years in the making, Thomas's novel was purchased by Simon & Schuster for more than a million dollars and published in August of 2014. It is now a national bestseller. Born in the Bronx and raised in Queens, Thomas also spent time at his family's home in Bronxville. He earned his MFA from the University of California, Irvine, and has taught writing to both college and high school students. 

No reservations are required for this free program. A reception with book sales and signing will follow Thomas's presentation. For more information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 914-337-9300, ext. 2159.

Pictured here: Author Matthew Thomas.

Photo courtesy Ellen de Saint Phalle, Director of Community Relations, Concordia College