Ancestor Trouble by Maud Newton is an absolutely fascinating and incredibly intimate personal journey into one woman's search for the true spine of her family's history. While reading, I couldn't stop thinking about what I might find if I actually put in the work to learn more about my own family. (Apparently I have a jewish great grandfather who left his wife and 3 kids in Brooklyn and was found, decades later, preaching in a rural midwestern church and with an entirely new family.) I don't know that I'm ready to take that journey, but I absolutely loved being along for the ride with Maud Newton!! And I just signed up for her newsletter because I don't want to miss any future essays or updates!! Highly recommend!!

5 stars
Not at all what I expected. I do feel there is a audience for this book. It is not for me. Thanks for the ARC of this book.

Sprawling is the best way to describe this book. As the author admits towards the end, the way she writes is to approach a topic from several different angles, and that is apparent here. From family anecdotes, to records-based genealogy, to genetic testing and ancestor worship, Newton leaves no stone unturned to try and make sense of her complicated relationship with her immediate family, and ancestors further removed.