The opening chapter of The Precious Jules is bedlam. There is  blood, bright red, gushing from a head wound, spattered on the family-room windows. There are children, crying. There is a very pregnant mom, scanning the room to see which of her four children needs her most urgently. One of the brothers is definitely going to need stitches. 

These are “The Precious Jules.” In this tale, Jules does not mean diamonds and rubies--it’s the family name. They live in Roland Park, an Irish Catholic brood with secrets and messy complications like most families--and with a mystery that goes far beyond what most families carry.

Shawn Nocher, our guest today, has written a story rooted in Maryland and some of its particular history but also universal in asking, what makes a family, family? 

The opening chapter of The Precious Jules is bedlam. There is  blood, bright red, gushing from a head wound, spattered on the family-room windows. There are children, crying. There is a very pregnant mom, scanning the room to see which of her four children needs her most urgently. One of the brothers is definitely going to need stitches. 
These are “The Precious Jules.” In this tale, Jules does not mean diamonds and rubies--it’s the family name. They live in Roland Park, an Irish Catholic brood with secrets and messy complications like most families--and with a mystery that goes far beyond what most families carry.
<a href="https://www.shawnnocher.com/">Shawn Nocher</a>, our guest today, has written a story rooted in Maryland and some of its particular history but also universal in asking, what makes a family, family?

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org" target="_blank">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

On The Record

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

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