Recommended Books to Navigate Family Estrangement

Karl Pillemer, a human development professor, notes that parents estranged from their children often worry that others might judge them, wondering, 'What’s wrong with you?'

Although family estrangement—or cutting ties with relatives—can feel deeply isolating, it is more common than many realize. A 2022 survey found that nearly 30 percent of Americans reported being estranged from a parent, grandparent, sibling, or child.

Those facing estrangement frequently seek resources to help process their feelings and find reassurance that they are not alone. Several recent books have emerged that offer valuable insight into this experience.

Input from nine specialists researching family estrangement revealed a consensus around certain recommended titles. Some experts included in this list are also authors whose work colleagues frequently endorsed.

The five featured books provide advice on managing family conflicts, coping with emotional distress, and exploring ways forward—though they do not guarantee reconciliation.

Kathleen Smith, a therapist affiliated with the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family, explains that the objective is not to prevent or encourage estrangement but to support individuals in making thoughtful decisions about their relationships.