Under Our Roof, Madeleine Dean
Under Our Roof, Madeleine Dean
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Under Our Roof
A Son's Battle for Recovery, a Mother's Battle for Her Son

Author: Madeleine Dean, Harry Cunnane

Narrator: Madeleine Dean, Harry Cunnane

Unabridged: 8 hr 16 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/16/2021


Synopsis

A congresswoman and her son reveal how he survived a ten-year battle with opioid abuse—and what their family’s journey to recovery can teach us about finding hope amid the unspeakable.

“Beautiful and inspiring.”—Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper (Book of the Week)

When Madeleine Dean discovered that her son Harry was stealing from the family to feed a painkiller addiction, she was days away from taking the biggest risk of her life: running for statewide office in Pennsylvania. For years, she had sensed something was wrong. Harry was losing weight and losing friends. He had lost the brightness in his eyes and voice, changing from a young boy with boundless enthusiasm to a shadow of himself, chasing something she could not see. Now her worst fears had come to light.

Under Our Roof is the story of a national crisis suffered in the intimacy of so many homes, told with incredible candor through the dual perspectives of a mother rising in politics and a son living a double life, afraid of what might happen if his secret is exposed. In this honest, bracing, yet ultimately uplifting memoir, they discuss the patterns of a family dealing with an unspoken disease, the fear that keeps addicts hiding in shame, and the moments of honesty, faith, and personal insight that led to Harry’s recovery.

In a country searching for answers to the devastating effects of opioids and drug abuse, Under Our Roof is a ray of hope in the darkness. It is not only a love story between mother and son but also an honest account of a pressing national crisis by a family poised to make a difference.

About The Author

Madeleine Dean is the congresswoman for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania, suburban Philadelphia, a member of the House Judiciary and House Financial Services committees, and vice chair of the bipartisan Women’s Caucus. From 2012 to 2018 she served in the Pennsylvania House. From 2001 to 2011 she taught writing at La Salle University, and she has contributed to Newsweek, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, and other regional publications. She and her husband, PJ Cunnane, live in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and have three sons, two daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren. Harry Cunnane has been an active member of the addiction recovery community since his recovery began more than seven years ago, participating in a twelve-step program and volunteering at rehabs and jails around Philadelphia to spread a message of hope. He now works as a resource director for the same treatment center where he originally sought help for his own addiction. He lives in Audubon, New Jersey, with his wife, Juliet; his daughter, Aubrey; and his son, Sawyer.Madeleine and Harry are the authors of the children’s book You Are Always Loved.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Kelly on February 03, 2021

The premise was promising - a mother and son writing alternating chapters detailing their family’s struggle with his opioid addiction - but the execution wasn’t great. Both of the authors’ writing styles seemed amateurish and flat, and the mother spent way too much time writing about her political c......more

Goodreads review by Diane on March 05, 2021

This memoir written by a mom and her son was engaging. Harry’s 10 year battle with opioids took a huge toll on his family. Madeline Dean, one of PA’s congresswomen, did not worry too much about her public image, allowing us to see times when she was less than helpful . Although she seemed to be very......more

Goodreads review by Isabelle on January 23, 2022

Under Our Roof // by Madeleine Dean and Harry Cunnane I had a bit of mixed feelings about this book, which brought me to a rating of 3.5 that I rounded up to 4 in the end. I love the idea of both a mother and her son telling their sides of their drug addiction story. Most of the memoirs I read are wr......more

Goodreads review by Amy on October 25, 2020

This is an absolutely incredible true story of the horrors of drug abuse and the life changing power of a mother's love. Madeleine Dean and her son, Harry Cunnane alternate throughout the chapters with their recollections of Harry's addiction and recovery, and Madeleine's political victories. I read......more

Goodreads review by Rebecca on September 04, 2021

I was excited to read this book after hearing the authors on Elizabeth Vargas' Heart of the Matter podcast and because of my shared connections with them (Madeleine Dean lives in the town where my father and stepmother live and where I attended high school; Harry Cunnane attended the same Jesuit hig......more


Quotes

“A riveting and inspiring story of a family confronting addiction . . . Written with breathtaking courage and unadorned honesty, this account by Rep. Madeleine Dean and Harry Cunnane can help all families turn fear of this scourge into understanding, acceptance, and hope.”—Jennifer Palmieri, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Madam President

“Through their honesty and bravery, Dean and Cunnane challenge stigma, encourage a strengthening of support systems, and provide hope to the millions of Americans who live with, or have loved ones who live with, substance abuse disorder every day.”—Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf and first lady Frances Wolf