S. F. Prescott

Heartfelt and humorous!

Allegra Goodman: “I was born in Brooklyn, but grew up in Honolulu. I lived in Hawaii until I flew east for college. Now I have snow boots because I live in Cambridge, Mass. I write novels and short stories–and I love my job. My latest novel is ISOLA, based on the true story of a young French noblewoman who sailed to the New World in 1542 and was marooned on an island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. My next book THIS IS NOT ABOUT US will be out in February 2026 and is available for preorder now. It’s the story of a three generations of a complicated, funny, highly charged family.”

Continuing my journey discovering new and interesting literary fiction, I was excited to receive a copy of Allegra Goodman’s latest novel, This Is Not About Us.

Filled with gorgeous prose and authentic characters, this heartfelt story follows one family’s journey after the death of a sister, and the petty aftermath involving a feud over an apple cake recipe—which I thought was hilarious. I found the story refreshing to follow the pivoting POVs between family members, and enjoyed their interconnected stories which shaped the structure rather than following a linear path. It made for a more interesting read, but it did slow the pace. It definitely felt more focused on character than plot, so pick this up if you’re looking for a book to switch up tone and pace. You won’t regret it!

Synopsis:

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.