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Fiction
A kaleidoscopic portrait of a modern American family—steadfast, complicated, begrudging, and loving—from the bestselling author of Isola.
Was this just a brief skirmish, or the beginning of a thirty-year feud? In the Rubinstein family, it could go either way.
When their beloved sister passes away, Sylvia and Helen Rubinstein are unmoored. A misunderstanding about apple cake turns into a decade of stubborn silence. Busy with their own lives—divorces, dating, career setbacks, college applications, bat mitzvahs and ballet recitals—their children do not want to get involved. As for their grandchildren? Impossible.
With This Is Not About Us, master storyteller Allegra Goodman—whose prior collection was heralded as "one of the most astute and engaging books about American family life" (The Boston Globe)—returns to the form and subject that endeared her to legions of readers. Sharply observed and laced with humor, This Is Not About Us is a story of growing up and growing old, the weight of parental expectations, and the complex connection between sisters—a big-hearted book about the love that binds a family across generations.
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (4/30/2026)
I just finished Isola by Allegra Goodman. It's good historical fiction. A bit grim at times, but overall a good read. Ready to start Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict. I've read a number of Benedict's books and have liked all of them.
-Roberta_Winchester
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (4/09/2026)
Did you read Isola by Allegra Goodman? I thought it was a very interesting depiction of historical events. It also garnered some prizes, I think. At least made it onto some prize lists.
-Anne_Glasgow
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (2/19/2026)
Currently reading 'More than Enough' by Anna Quindlen. Earlier this week I finished Allegra Goodman's 'This is Not About Us' - my first 5-star of the year!
-Evonne_Benedict
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (2/12/2026)
I'm reading 'This is Not About Us' by Allegra Goodman and enjoying it so far. Her 'Isola' was one of my favorites last year, this new one is entirely different but same great writing.
-Evonne_Benedict
Kirkus finalists announced!
That's a good one, @Gabi_J ! One of the interesting things about https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/4993/isola Isola is that while Allegra Goodman has written several books, it's her only work of historical fiction. I've read most of her books, and while her literary fiction...
-kim.kovacs
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (09-11-2025)
Just started Wild Fire by Ann Cleeves, a part of her Shetland series. Also finished up listening to Isola by Allegra Goodman, based on a recommendation from someone on BB. Like all historical novels some parts seemed less likely than others, and the last half of the book had a greater hold on me....
-Robin_G
What are you reading this week? (8/28/2025)
I am about halfway through "Mercy" by Joan Silber. (Preparing for the discussion, with thanks to BookBrowse for a copy.) I'm enjoying wondering where she is going to take these strands around one pivotal experience. There's something about it that reminds me of "Half a Life: a memoir" by Darin St...
-Robin_G
What are you reading this week? (7/17/2025)
I just finished Isola by Allegra Goodman. It was an amazing, breathtaking, gripping novel, based on a true story. I saw the great reviews in New York Times.
-Laurie_L
What audience would you recommend Broken Country to? Is there another book or author you’d recommend that you feel has a similar theme or style?
Those who like a romance if it's part of a mystery with lots of twist and turns! I'm currently reading Charlotte McConaghy's Wild Dark Shore and would recommend it as being similar. It is an atmospheric, isolated Island murder mystery with a romance buried in that I'm very much enjoying! I would ...
-Jo_S
Ask the Author mug winners
Thank you to all those who asked our visiting authors such inciteful questions. For each author, we entered those who've asked questions into a spreadsheet and performed a random drawing. The following people have won a BookBrowse mug as a result: June winners: Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu : @Dee_Drisco...
-kim.kovacs
BookBrowsers Ask Allegra Goodman
Thank you so much for all your responses, Allegra! Your willingness to chat with us here is very much appreciated. Is there anything you wish that we'd asked you about that we didn't hit? Anything you'd like to share about yourself or your work that hasn't come up yet?
-kim.kovacs
What are you reading this week? (6/19/025)
@jillg Allegra Goodman will be here next week. I hope if you (and everyone else here!) will drop in & ask a question or two if you have a few minutes.
-kim.kovacs
What was your last 5-star read, and what made you choose it?
Isola by Allegra Goodman, who presents amazing descriptions of faith and contrasts between the social classes during the 1530s - 1540s. Other 5 stars: Time of the Child by Niall Williams, Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, West with Giraffes by Lynda Ru...
-Luisa_H
Which books will you take on vacation?
Vacationing at home this year but have my reading stack lined up for next few weeks: Written on the Dark Guy Gavriel Kay Isola . Allegra Goodman In Winter I Get Up At Night . Jane Urquhart Chenneville . Paulette Jiles The Frozen River . Ariel Lawhorn plus a couple of detective fiction books from ...
-MarilynS
What are you reading this week? (6/12/2025)
Finishing Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid for review, then I'm not sure. I've got a few days before I need to start the next discussion book - Broken Country - so I may try to squeeze in something else before I start that. Jury's out! In audiobook format, I'm listening to Kelly Mustian's The Gi...
-kim.kovacs
What are you reading this week? (6/5/2025)
Like @Carla_D , I'm reading Before Dorothy for the discussion next week. Then it'll be on to Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid for review. In audiobook format, I'm still working my way through Stephanie Dray's Daughter of Cleopatra series. Next in the queue is Sam by Allegra Goodman. BTW, I want ...
-kim.kovacs
What are you reading this week? (4/3/2025)?
Just finishing up Isola by Allegra Goodman ( really enjoying it), then on to The Creation of Half-Broken People by Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu. In audiobook format, I just bought Hour of the Witch and Skeletons at the Feast , both by Chris Bohjalian. Any recommendations on which I should listen to firs...
-kim.kovacs
What are you reading this week? (02/20/2025)
Just finished 'Isola' by Allegra Goodman (5 stars from me!) and now reading 'The Other March Sisters' by Linda Epstein, Ally Malinenko, and Liz Parker. (loving this one so far)
-Evonne_Benedict
What book or books are you reading this week? (02/13/2025)
I am currently listening to the Frozen River by Lawhon for the second time, The Wife the Maid and the Mistress–also by Lawhon, and just downloaded Isola by Allegra Goodman.
-Sunny
"Like an exquisitely baked apple cake, Goodman's delicious and deeply perceptive novel is something to savor." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"[A] bighearted linked story collection... Each story succeeds on its own; taken together, they reveal how a family's bonds are shaped and tested by tradition as well as by each individual's recurring patterns. In their messiness and constant striving for harmony, the Rubinsteins are wholly relatable. This is one to treasure." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Astute, incisive, and soulfully witty, Goodman circulates among her irresistible characters to that each intriguing point of view reveals another facet of their tumultuous family dynamic." —Booklist (starred review)
This information about This Is Not About Us was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Photo © Keller & Keller
Allegra Goodman's novels include The Chalk Artist, Intuition, The Cookbook Collector, Paradise Park, and Kaaterskill Falls (a National Book Award finalist). Her fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Commentary, and Ploughshares and has been anthologized in The O. Henry Awards and Best American Short Stories. She has written two collections of short stories, The Family Markowitz and Total Immersion and a novel for younger readers, The Other Side of the Island. Her essays and reviews have appeared in The New York Times Book Review, The Wall Street Journal, The New Republic, The Boston Globe, The Jewish Review of Books, and The American Scholar. Raised in Honolulu, Goodman studied English and philosophy at Harvard and received a PhD in English literature from Stanford. She is the recipient ...
... Full Biography
Author Interview
Link to Allegra Goodman's Website
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