What does the novel have to say about "blood" and the meaning of family? How do you interpret the title and did that interpretation change as you read?

Ultimately, what does the novel have to say about "blood," and the meaning of family? Did your interpretation of the title, "The Weight of Blood" evolve from the beginning to the end of the novel? If so, how?

Before reading I felt it might be referencing blood, referring to bloodlines, and it turned out to be true. What I didn't anticipate was the many variances of how this weight would bear on different characters. I'm from a large family so I felt it's very true that no matter what a family member does, they are still your family. How you
choose to recognize that "weight of blood" is a measure of your individual character.

Before reading anything about the book beforehand, I suspected that it had to do with family blood lines and the emotions evoked from these relationships. But as an adoptive mother, I know that family has nothing to do with blood. That being said, this book dealt with both blood and non-blood family relationships.

I love the title - it fit the book perfectly and I think McHugh did a masterful job creating this story. Family will always stand with family, even when one member takes a different path. Only when the whole family is cornered by the evil choices made by that member, is it forced to take a good hard look at the result and the part it may have played.

I think the novel illustrates that "blood" can be a burden when you know someone is wrong but family loyalty outweighs trying to correct it. It becomes a big family cover-up, filled with heavy guilt.

Usually blood trumps other loyalties, even to one's conscience. Sometimes, though, as in this novel misguided loyalty to family has tragic consequences.