Good People

A Novel

“[A] gorgeous and powerful debut.”—Tommy Orange, The New York Times

“Good People is the year’s first great novel.”—The Minnesota Star Tribune

“A stunning read. I could not recommend it more enthusiastically. . . . What a spectacular triumph this book is. This is the Afghan novel I have been eagerly waiting for.”—Khaled Hosseini

ONE THE NEW YORKER’S BEST BOOKS OF 2026 SO FAR

Zorah Sharaf could do no wrong. Zorah Sharaf brought shame upon her family. What’s the truth? Depends on who you ask.

The Sharaf family is the picture of success. Prosperous, rich, happy. They came to this country as refugees with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. And now, after years of hard work, they live in the most exclusive neighborhood, their growing family attending the most prestigious schools. Zorah, the eldest daughter, is the apple of her father’s eye.

When an unthinkable tragedy strikes, everyone is left reeling and the family is thrust into the court of public opinion. There is talk that behind closed doors the Sharafs’ happy household was anything but. Did the Sharaf family achieve the American dream? Or was the image of the model immigrant family just a façade?

Like a literary game of ping-pong, Good People compels the reader to reconsider what might have happened even on the previous page. Told through a kaleidoscope of perspectives, it is a riveting, provocative, and haunting story of family—sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, and the communities that claim us as family in difficult times.

Being a human is hard

Wow. So many layers. As a first generation immigrant of Cuban parents I could at once empathize with so many characters in this story while still being utterly repelled by others. The push and pull of past and present is always there. What an amazing narrative and unique take.

A nuanced take on immigrant culture

I love that the author trusted the reader to come to their own conclusion on the tension between ancient tradition colliding with the immigrant pressure toward assimilation. The characters were memorable, the story gripping & the aftermath searing & thought provoking.

Complex crisis

A fascinating book. The format is unlike anything I’ve read before and took some adjusting but once there - I loved it.

Thoroughly Enjoyed!

This is a real heavy book with great narration. I was hooked from the start and shed lots of tears along the way. Making assumptions and pre-judging others was the main thread throughout the story. A family tragedy for sure!!!

Very different

It was too different to evaluate. I have never experienced such a book.
I felt the audio presentation was very well done.