This Is Not About Us

I went in expecting a cozy domestic saga, but Goodman’s novel is far more unpredictable—and far more rewarding. The story orbits around the chaotic lives of the Jacobson siblings and their parents, a family whose bonds are held together by grudges, old grudges, and the occasional act of kindness that feels like a surprise. Farr’s narration makes the audiobook a standout: she captures the siblings’ dynamic with such authenticity that their bickering feels like eavesdropping on a real, if dysfunctional, household. My only critique? The middle section drags slightly, weighed down by a subplot that, while thematically important, lacks the same crackling energy as the sibling rivalry at the core. What lingers is Goodman’s fearless exploration of how families weaponize love. There’s a scene where the siblings argue over a trivial inheritance item—a vintage lamp—that’s so petty and so human it made me laugh out loud. Farr sells it with perfect comedic timing, but the moment also lands because Goodman never lets us forget the undercurrent of loss beneath the laughter. The audiobook’s production is polished but never sterile; the slight echo in some scenes subtly mirrors the hollow spaces in these characters’ relationships. If you’re looking for a family drama that’s as clever as it is cutting, this is your pick—but be warned: you’ll never look at your own relatives the same way again.