The Family Upstairs
Reading Order.
Start The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell with "The Family Remains", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
The complete reading order for the The Family Upstairs series by Lisa Jewell. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.
Short Answer:
Start with "The Family Remains"
To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.
Community Consensus
"The provided comments do not contain any discussion, analysis, or specific information regarding the book 'The Family Upstairs' or its recommended reading order. The discussion is focused on other fantasy series (like 'The Raven Cycle' and 'The Bone Ship's Wake'), specific authors (KJ Parker), and general book recommendations."
No relevant advice regarding the reading order of 'The Family Upstairs' can be extracted from this set of comments.
At a Glance
- First Book:The Family Remains
- Latest Book:THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS
- Timeline:2022 - 2023
?Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for The Family Upstairs conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.
Can I skip the short stories?
Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for The Family Upstairs. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.
I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?
Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "The Family Remains" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.
Why do people disagree on the order?
Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.
Recommended Reading Order Strategy
The authoritative way to read the "The Family Upstairs" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.
Complete Series Reading Order
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View on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to skip books in the The Family Upstairs series?
We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.
What is the best order to read The Family Upstairs?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "The Family Remains" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Lisa Jewell intended.
Can I read The Family Upstairs books in any order?
No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.
Are there spin-offs or companion books?
Yes, the The Family Upstairs universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.