Normal Family

On Truth, Love, and How I Met My 35 Siblings

By: Chrysta Bilton

Narrated by: Chrysta Bilton

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

This riveting, nuanced memoir about unforgettable individuals thrown together by chance and DNA tells a story of nature, nurture, and coming to terms with one's true inheritance.

What is a “normal family,” and how do you go about making one? Chrysta Bilton’s magnetic, larger-than-life mother, Debra, yearned to have a child, but as a single gay woman in 1980s California, she had few options. Until one day, while getting her hair done in a Beverly Hills salon, she met a man and instantly knew he was the one she’d been looking for. Beautiful, athletic, artistic, and from a well-to-do family, Jeffrey Harrison appeared to be Debra’s ideal sperm donor.

A verbal agreement, a couple of thousand in cash, and a few squirts of a turkey baster later, and Chrysta was conceived. Over the years, Jeffrey would make regular appearances at the family home, which grew to include Chrysta’s baby sister. But how much did Debra really know about the man she’d chosen to father her daughters? And as a single mother torn between ferocious independence and abject dependence—on other women, alcohol, drugs, and the adrenaline of get-rich-quick schemes—what secrets of her own was she keeping?

It wasn’t until Chrysta was a young adult that she discovered just how much her parents had hidden from their daughters—and each other—including a shocking revelation with far-reaching consequences not only for Debra, Chrysta, and her sister, but for dozens and possibly hundreds of unsuspecting families across the country. After a lifetime of longing for a “normal family,” can Chrysta face the reality of her own, in all its complexity? Bringing us into the fold of a deeply dysfunctional yet fiercely loving clan that is anything but “normal,” this emotional roller coaster of a memoir will make you cry, laugh, and rethink the meaning of family.

Named a 'Best Book of the Summer' by LA Times, People, USA Today, Vanity Fair, The Hollywood Reporter, Amazon, Apple, Cup of Jo, Kirkus, Parade, & Today

©2022 Chrysta Bilton (P)2022 Little, Brown & Company

Critic reviews

“I thought my family was complicated until I read Chrysta Bilton’s wonderful memoir about the unique—eccentric, wild, expansive—collection of irresistible characters in her life. Bilton has a big heart, gentle wisdom, keen eye and lovely wit. She’s a gifted writer with an astonishing story to tell.”—David Sheff, author of Beautiful Boy

"By turns hilarious, wrenching, and achingly tender, this is a memoir about family that turns the whole idea of family upside down. Bilton writes beautifully, with sharp insight and a light touch, about her harrowing, astonishing journey into understanding her parents, her (very) extended family, and herself."—Susan Orlean, author of The Library Book

“Normal Family had me absolutely riveted from beginning to end. Chrysta Bilton has woven an impeccable narrative about the explosion of love, betrayal, and addiction—not to mention the menagerie of animals—that made up her madcap and calamitous childhood. The story is dominated by Bilton’s hedonistic, cult-inclined, womanizing, unstable and uncanny lesbian single mother, who had to make it up as she went along, and is surely one of the most mesmerizing ‘characters’ in recent memoir. Normal Family narrowly escapes being a tragedy, redeemed by Bilton’s compassionate storytelling and unwavering love for her untraditional family.”—Stephanie Danler, bestselling author of Stray and Sweetbitter

Great book!

The author/narrator was terrific. Really enjoyed her story. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Great Story

I can perfectly imagine every character. I feel like I’ve met the authors two moms and daddy. It’s a wild ride and I’m happy that Chrysta has a stable family now.

Impatient to see the movie!

Such a delicious book. If you liked The Glass Castle, this one is for you.

Excellent!

This personal and extraordinary account of this dynamic family was so moving, touching, and perfectly imperfect! Loved every powerful word!

Nothing normal but beautiful memoir

I kept asking myself throughout the story how Chrysta survived such an unstable childhood. Such a beautiful memoir how she progresses through the life she was given and how she comes to peace with it.

Wow - loved this book!

Wow - loved this memoir! Did not want it to end - what an incredible story and it unfolded in such beautiful layers!

Great story

Loved this story. Well written narration was excellent Crazy story and touching and loving. I took pause on my own family. Different and yet still a dis functional crazy family.

Loved this!

Reading about or listening to peoples stories of their families that are messier than mine always comfort me somehow. I marveled at the resilience of the author and the sad yet endearing and comical childhood she relates.
Chrysta has an epic family story she tells beautifully. Bravo!

great book

I loved this book, I couldn't put it down once I started it. The writing style of the Author flowed and it was very interesting. A must read.

Amazing story

What a great book, I loved everything about it.
The reading was excellent. Highly recommended ❤️