'An extraordinary social document which is also a riveting read.' Observer

'I always thought the phrase that critics occasionally use - "If you buy just one book this year, make it this one" - quite meaningless until I read "Random Family".' Books of the Year, New Statesman

'A brilliant book. LeBlanc sinks into the world of her subjects, identifying exactly and in intimate detail the successive trials by which they are afflicted.' Sunday Times

'This book took 10 years to report and it may well stand 10 years of reading.' Editors' Top Ten Books of the Year, New York Times

'A startling portrait of how demanding it is to be poor.' Books of the Year, Economist

'LeBlanc's work shines as a monumental work of narrative journalism. Poverty is the oldest story in town, and the trick is to write about it in a way that makes us look at it anew. LeBlanc's reportage does just that, and shows us exactly what we're missing. Read it and wonder why.' Scotsman

'There are more drugs, violence and abuse in chapter one of this chronicle of inner-city women's lives than most of us will ever experience. Disturbing, complicated and emotional, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc's book will haunt you.' Marie Claire