Families are a mystery. Is everyone's as complicated as ours? Is there such a thing as a 'normal' one? We generally only get to see the polished exteriors and are left to imagine what might be going on behind closed doors.

Here is a book that takes us on a tour around the reality of families. It provides a rare, privileged glimpse into private realms, allowing us a new, profound understanding of ourselves and others.

Comprised of 60 interviews and portraits captured by five supremely talented photographers - Mark Hobbs, Kate Peters, Marjolaine Ryley, Michelle Sank and Naomi Williams - the book introduces us to an extraordinary array of participants: new parents, stepchildren, siblings, the wealthy and the marginalised, the old and the young.

What surfaces is the astounding diversity of family life - and the number of commonalities too. Above all, we recognise the fundamental role that family plays in making us who we are.

This is a book for anyone who has ever wondered about their family or fantasised about being part of someone else's - in short, this is a book for us all.