This Is Not About Us: Fiction

Allegra Goodman
52 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 2026

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Book Brief

Allegra Goodman

This Is Not About Us

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2026
Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Literary Fiction

•

Jewish Literature

•

Contemporary Literature
Setting

Cambridge, Massachusetts • 1990s

Theme
Memory

•

Death

•

The Past
First Publication Year

2026

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Reviews & Readership

3.6

18,026 ratings

57%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman explores the complexity of identity and friendship with rich, relatable characters and an engaging narrative. Critics praise its emotional depth and vivid setting. Some note a slow pacing, but overall, the novel is celebrated for its insightful portrayal of personal growth and adolescent challenges.

Who should read this

Who Should Read This Is Not About Us?

A reader who enjoys This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman would likely appreciate character-driven narratives and literary fiction. Comparable to Normal People by Sally Rooney, this book appeals to those interested in complex relationships and introspection with a touch of academic setting allure.

3.6

18,026 ratings

57%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Character List

One of Lillian and Morris’s daughters and married to Charles; she moves to the family’s periphery after a falling out with her sister Sylvia over a personal dispute.

Lillian and Morris’s middle daughter, married to Lew, known for maintaining traditional family roles and trying to keep the peace despite conflicts.

The youngest of the three sisters and appears directly only at the beginning, she plays a central role in shaping the family's dynamics despite her early death.

Helen and Charles’s daughter, who struggles with familial relationships and faces challenges in navigating her personal life and family expectations.

Another daughter of Helen and Charles, she is notable for her dedication to family and her generous, caring nature, contrasting with Pam’s initial indifference.

Daughters of Richard and Debra, grappling with their parents’ divorce, with Lily particularly using dance and writing as coping mechanisms.

Dan and Melanie’s daughter who inherits her grandmother’s violin, illustrating her passion for music and exploring autonomy through her choices.

Dan’s brother and Jeanne’s son, who faces a mid-life crisis after job loss and struggles with his unfulfilled literary aspirations.

Jeanne’s son and daughter-in-law, parents to Phoebe, who navigate parenting challenges and familial responsibilities.

Richard’s ex-wife and mother to Sophie and Lily, she manages her parenting responsibilities while contending with Richard’s new life and her own autonomy.

Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Literary Fiction

•

Jewish Literature

•

Contemporary Literature
Setting

Cambridge, Massachusetts • 1990s

Theme
Memory

•

Death

•

The Past
First Publication Year

2026

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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