Lilianne and Morris had three daughters in the 1940's-Helen, Sylvia, and Jeanne. Jeanne, the youngest at 74, is dying of cancer and the family has gathered around for one last visit. Each of the daughters have children, now grown, and Sylvia and Jeanne have grandchildren. Everyone has issues-divorce, gay marriage, sibling favoritism, and disappointments which come to a head when Jeanne succumbs. Helen and Sylvia agreed on shiva ground rules-a memorial service instead of a traditional Jewish burial, and catered food so that each sister wouldn't compete with baked goods. Unfortunately, Sylvia, dominated by her bossy elder sister (as usual), chooses the shiva buffet to retaliate, and serves a fresh apple cake to the guests. Even though it is Helen's recipe, Sylvia makes it better, and Helen has had enough-she never speaks to Sylvia again.
In a series of linked stories, we follow the three families as they maneuver their way around the pitfalls of living; Sylvia's son Richard finds love after his messy divorce, Helen's daughter Wendy is finally given her due, and Jeanne's granddaughter Phoebe charts her own path, much to her parent's dismay. It is a portrait of a group of people that come together, drift apart, and try to find a way back, as all families attempt to do. The title of the novel is deceiving-the author writes a collection of stories that are actually all about us and the idea of what makes a family. This is a return to the kind of novels that Allegra Goodman wrote before last year's bestseller Isola. While that book was amazing, it's nice to see Goodman return to explaining the small issues in life, as only she can.
Reviewed by Donna Ballard
February 10, 2026
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