Goodman Returns to Familiar Ground (Image Credits: Pixabay)
Allegra Goodman’s new novel delves into the enduring tensions and affections within a sprawling Jewish-American family, where a single baked good unleashes decades of silence.[1][2]
Goodman Returns to Familiar Ground
NPR critic Maureen Corrigan praised the book upon its February 10 release, calling it a standout that compelled her to read it twice to appreciate its layered connections.[1] Goodman structured This Is Not About Us as 17 interconnected chapters, each spotlighting different family members across three generations. This approach echoed her 1996 debut, The Family Markowitz, which similarly chronicled Jewish family life through linked vignettes.
The author shifted from her recent enclosed-world tales – like the scientific intrigue of Intuition or the historical isolation of Isola – back to domestic drama. Readers encountered psychological depth and dry humor that marked Goodman’s early career. Corrigan noted the novel’s power grew from subtle shifts in how characters perceived one another, turning standalone stories into a cohesive whole.[1]
The Feud That Defines the Rubinsteins
The story opened at the deathbed of Jeanne Rubenstein, the youngest of three sisters at 74, surrounded by wilting flowers that mirrored her impatience with a drawn-out end. “The flowers depressed her, especially those already wilting. When she looked at the mums, she felt she wasn’t dying fast enough,” Goodman wrote.[1] Tensions simmered during the shiva when middle sister Sylvia served an apple cake using a recipe from eldest sister Helen.
Helen stormed out, sparking a rift that persisted for years. This seemingly petty clash symbolized deeper resentments, forcing children and grandchildren to navigate divided loyalties. The narrative spanned holidays, bat mitzvahs, divorces, and career struggles, all while the sisters’ silence lingered.[3]
Portraits of a Multigenerational Clan
Goodman populated the book with vivid relatives whose stories intertwined:
- Helen, 80, a sharp-witted grudge-holder who knows obscure words like “marcescent.”
- Sylvia, 78, the capable baker whose gesture ignited the feud.
- Pam, Helen’s daughter in her 50s, navigating heartbreak with her mother’s steely clarity.
- Phoebe, 21, Jeanne’s granddaughter inheriting a violin and musical doubts.
- Lily, 12, a dreamy dancer prepping for her bat mitzvah amid family chaos.
These figures grappled with grief, expectations, and reinvention. One chapter, “Deal Breaker,” revealed Pam’s vulnerability, as she admired Helen’s unyielding resolve: “Helen is difficult. She’s daunting, but she’s crisp. She never clings.”[1]
Echoes in Reviews and Real Life
Early praise highlighted the novel’s wit and insight into sibling bonds. The New York Times deemed it a “nimble, heartfelt” exploration of Northeast Jewish life.[4] On Goodreads, readers averaged 3.8 stars, lauding its mirror to “messy and complicated” dynamics: “Each chapter was like a slice of cake, a different point of view.”[5]
Bookreporter.com called it “thoughtful and relatable,” emphasizing resilience amid cultural rituals. Goodman captured small moments – a word unspoken, a ritual observed – that carried profound weight.[3]
Key Takeaways
- Linked stories build a richer family portrait than a linear plot.
- Humor tempers the pain of grudges and loss.
- Every reader spots kin in the Rubinsteins’ flaws and affections.
Allegra Goodman’s This Is Not About Us reminds us that families endure through feuds as much as forgiveness. Its honest gaze at love’s complexities lingers long after the final page. What family ritual in the book hits closest to home for you? Share in the comments.