What do you think?
Rate this book
Good People: A Novel
“Good People is the year’s first great novel.”—The Minnesota Star Tribune
“Good People is 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
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.
“Good People is 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
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.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2026
952 people are currently reading
41064 people want to read
About the author
Patmeena Sabit
1 book75 followersPatmeena Sabit was born in Kabul a few years after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. When she was a month old, her family fled the conflict and became refugees in Pakistan, joining the millions of other Afghans that had sought refuge there. They later moved to the United States and she grew up in Virginia. She currently lives in Toronto.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
February 8, 2026
A gripping read to start 2026
Potential spoiler - relating to key premise of the book .. but no extra details given ..
Patmeena Sabit has produced a debut novel that will/ should open up much conversation.
This is a story about family, love , cultural expectations and differences and ultimately tragedy.
The Sharaf family escaped the horror of war in Afghanistan and have been resettled in North Virginia USA. They live in a one room apartment but Rahmat Sharaf pursues the American Dream and after a decade becomes a successful and wealthy businessman. His wife and four children are able to live a charmed life ; he has aspirations of success for his children especially for his daughter Zorah. The world around sees a family filled with happiness but is all that it seems?
The demands and pressure lead Zorah into unexpected directions and to her death. The family are devastated but then questions are asked… is what appeared to be an accident actually the truth?
The story of the Sharaf family is told through the voices of friends, neighbours, the police and many others- each giving their viewpoint. In a world polarised by the quick judgement of many on social media, TV and through gossip and cultural ignorance, this book raise so many questions. It also challenges us to look at the traditions, hypocrisies and contradictions within societies and cultures.
Patmeena Sabit has shone an important light on issues of migrant families living in a different culture; the ignorance and misunderstanding between different mindsets and the global epidemic of allowing jury by social media.
The narrative device of different voices works incredibly well and manipulates in many ways as your thoughts are ever changing and you are second guessing what happened.
It’s easy to see why this debut novel is being publicised as a book club read for 2026 - a book that will leave you questioning how your own thoughts and perceptions can be influenced by external voices ( especially in a divided world) but ultimately a novel that should also make us all reflect upon the dangers of using hearsay in any situation.
Potential spoiler - relating to key premise of the book .. but no extra details given ..
Patmeena Sabit has produced a debut novel that will/ should open up much conversation.
This is a story about family, love , cultural expectations and differences and ultimately tragedy.
The Sharaf family escaped the horror of war in Afghanistan and have been resettled in North Virginia USA. They live in a one room apartment but Rahmat Sharaf pursues the American Dream and after a decade becomes a successful and wealthy businessman. His wife and four children are able to live a charmed life ; he has aspirations of success for his children especially for his daughter Zorah. The world around sees a family filled with happiness but is all that it seems?
The demands and pressure lead Zorah into unexpected directions and to her death. The family are devastated but then questions are asked… is what appeared to be an accident actually the truth?
The story of the Sharaf family is told through the voices of friends, neighbours, the police and many others- each giving their viewpoint. In a world polarised by the quick judgement of many on social media, TV and through gossip and cultural ignorance, this book raise so many questions. It also challenges us to look at the traditions, hypocrisies and contradictions within societies and cultures.
Patmeena Sabit has shone an important light on issues of migrant families living in a different culture; the ignorance and misunderstanding between different mindsets and the global epidemic of allowing jury by social media.
The narrative device of different voices works incredibly well and manipulates in many ways as your thoughts are ever changing and you are second guessing what happened.
It’s easy to see why this debut novel is being publicised as a book club read for 2026 - a book that will leave you questioning how your own thoughts and perceptions can be influenced by external voices ( especially in a divided world) but ultimately a novel that should also make us all reflect upon the dangers of using hearsay in any situation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2026
A thought-provoking look at immigration, prejudice, assimilation, and hate, Good People was beyond original in both its format and story. Told exclusively through interviews and statements after a death from the perspective of those who knew the Sharafs, it gave me a round-robin view of the circumstances while also making me second guess what happened the entire time I was reading. Alongside of the how it reinforced the unreliability of hearsay testimony and witness statements, it also clearly demonstrated how one’s perceptions can be influenced—and sway others—in this increasingly divided world. That alone made this into one heck of an impactful book due to the topic matter alone. Add in the mere idea of a ripped-from-the-headlines murder mystery, and it had all of the hallmarks of a riveting five-star home run.
That, unfortunately, was where this one went just a bit off the rails. Repetitive, somewhat ambiguous, and slow-burning in the beginning, the well-intentioned format made it quite hard to read. Did it get easier with time? Well…yes. But it shouldn’t have felt like such a slog for the first half of the novel. Narrated by a huge cacophony of voices, while inspired, it also dragged the book down to start off with. That being said, once I reached the discussion of the family tragedy halfway into the book, it was a race to the end to find out all of the answers. Scandal-filled, true-to-life, and oozing with family drama, the last third was truly impressive. So if you’re looking for the perfect book club selection or want to dive into the heart of a true-crime story, this one’s for you. Just be prepared to have to adjust to an entirely different kind of read. Rating of 3.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
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?
Thank you Patmeena Sabit and Crown Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 3, 2026
Content warning: death, Islamophobia, sexism, suicide attempt, bigotry, mention of: war
That, unfortunately, was where this one went just a bit off the rails. Repetitive, somewhat ambiguous, and slow-burning in the beginning, the well-intentioned format made it quite hard to read. Did it get easier with time? Well…yes. But it shouldn’t have felt like such a slog for the first half of the novel. Narrated by a huge cacophony of voices, while inspired, it also dragged the book down to start off with. That being said, once I reached the discussion of the family tragedy halfway into the book, it was a race to the end to find out all of the answers. Scandal-filled, true-to-life, and oozing with family drama, the last third was truly impressive. So if you’re looking for the perfect book club selection or want to dive into the heart of a true-crime story, this one’s for you. Just be prepared to have to adjust to an entirely different kind of read. Rating of 3.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
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?
Thank you Patmeena Sabit and Crown Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 3, 2026
Content warning: death, Islamophobia, sexism, suicide attempt, bigotry, mention of: war
February 4, 2026
** Possible spoilers below **
The thing that is most striking about this book is Sabit's compassion and empathy - the second is the way she gives individual voices to her characters who speak directly to us in a series of interviews and other statements after a death. It's rare in contemporary fiction for authors to show the craft of differentiating voices and showing character through voice so I would be applauding this even if it weren't for the confident way this negotiates the story of an Afghani family who came to the US with nothing while their home country was under Russian occupation.
I can see why this book is positioned as a 'book group debate' book but to be honest I found that a little cheap. There is a slight ambiguity on the death of Zorah but the firm statements by the lawyer kind of do away with that argument - unless the reader wants to align themselves with the far-right Islamophobes who use the death as a legitimisation of their hate.
So I'm not quite sure about that marketing strategy but this is an excellent book that looks at pressing issues of how far a patriarchy culture is prepared to go, of intergenerational change and the position of so many 2nd and 3rd generation immigrants who are possibly more aligned with the values of their resident country but may not want to lose all contact with their ancestral culture. In some ways this is an extreme coming of age story but one where the stakes are very high. Sabit successfully puts us into the heart of the Sharaf family, and gives us nuanced insights into the Afghani community, the flaws and fractures as well as the support and love.
Affecting and emotive, I wept.
Many thanks to Little Brown/Virago for an ARC via Netgalley
The thing that is most striking about this book is Sabit's compassion and empathy - the second is the way she gives individual voices to her characters who speak directly to us in a series of interviews and other statements after a death. It's rare in contemporary fiction for authors to show the craft of differentiating voices and showing character through voice so I would be applauding this even if it weren't for the confident way this negotiates the story of an Afghani family who came to the US with nothing while their home country was under Russian occupation.
I can see why this book is positioned as a 'book group debate' book but to be honest I found that a little cheap. There is a slight ambiguity on the death of Zorah but the firm statements by the lawyer kind of do away with that argument - unless the reader wants to align themselves with the far-right Islamophobes who use the death as a legitimisation of their hate.
So I'm not quite sure about that marketing strategy but this is an excellent book that looks at pressing issues of how far a patriarchy culture is prepared to go, of intergenerational change and the position of so many 2nd and 3rd generation immigrants who are possibly more aligned with the values of their resident country but may not want to lose all contact with their ancestral culture. In some ways this is an extreme coming of age story but one where the stakes are very high. Sabit successfully puts us into the heart of the Sharaf family, and gives us nuanced insights into the Afghani community, the flaws and fractures as well as the support and love.
Affecting and emotive, I wept.
Many thanks to Little Brown/Virago for an ARC via Netgalley
December 8, 2025
This is a story with a good cultural context tackling many modern issues in an unusual format as viewpoints/experiences of a variety of people known to the key characters.
Raymat Sharaf, his wife Maryam, and two kids – son Omer and daughter Zorah have emigrated to the US from Afghanistan. After a long period of poverty and hard labour, Raymat makes a breakthrough by starting cleaning services. He later expands to other businesses – malls, imports, store franchises etc in Northern Virginia. Raymat is keen that his children obtain a good education and attend top colleges. His son drops out of college, much to his dad’s disappointment but his daughter continues her studies. A family with conservative values, the parents are upset when they learn that their daughter has a boyfriend. After that, they monitor her activities closely. On a trip back from Niagara, at a break in the town of Fulton for the night, Zorah goes missing. She is later found dead in a car they had brought with them on the trip. The initial assessment is that it was a tragic accident caused by an inexperienced driver (Zorah did not have a license) in poor weather. However, questions surface after many weeks.
The format of the book is novel and unusual with people known to them providing their views of the family and what they think might have happened. There are a wide set of people – many family & friends, teachers/professors, business associates and others. I liked how the story uncovers a number of contemporary & complex issues including – immigration, assimilation, prejudice, hate, jealousy and others. The cultural context is very good – neither under nor over- stated. I found the build-up to be quite slow and inconsistent. While I would say my patience was rewarded with well-written later sections, the tension could have been held better in the story. The ending has a touch of charm and yet I would have liked a few more revealing threads.
My rating: 3.5 / 5.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Little, Brown Book Group UK and the author for a free electronic review copy.
Raymat Sharaf, his wife Maryam, and two kids – son Omer and daughter Zorah have emigrated to the US from Afghanistan. After a long period of poverty and hard labour, Raymat makes a breakthrough by starting cleaning services. He later expands to other businesses – malls, imports, store franchises etc in Northern Virginia. Raymat is keen that his children obtain a good education and attend top colleges. His son drops out of college, much to his dad’s disappointment but his daughter continues her studies. A family with conservative values, the parents are upset when they learn that their daughter has a boyfriend. After that, they monitor her activities closely. On a trip back from Niagara, at a break in the town of Fulton for the night, Zorah goes missing. She is later found dead in a car they had brought with them on the trip. The initial assessment is that it was a tragic accident caused by an inexperienced driver (Zorah did not have a license) in poor weather. However, questions surface after many weeks.
The format of the book is novel and unusual with people known to them providing their views of the family and what they think might have happened. There are a wide set of people – many family & friends, teachers/professors, business associates and others. I liked how the story uncovers a number of contemporary & complex issues including – immigration, assimilation, prejudice, hate, jealousy and others. The cultural context is very good – neither under nor over- stated. I found the build-up to be quite slow and inconsistent. While I would say my patience was rewarded with well-written later sections, the tension could have been held better in the story. The ending has a touch of charm and yet I would have liked a few more revealing threads.
My rating: 3.5 / 5.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Little, Brown Book Group UK and the author for a free electronic review copy.
February 8, 2026
This book was a five star read for me! Books that I rate 5 stars make me feel deeply and stay in my mind for an extended time. I will be over on my social channels discussing this book and all the others!
February 10, 2026
It took me a while to get into this story, in part because the backstory took a long time to get through. Once it became very engrossing. None of the protagonists actually gave their side of the story so we readers will never know the truth. Normally, I would have hated an unresolved ending but this time I understand why it was written this way, though I shall be mulling over my own thoughts of what really happened for quite a while to come. An impressive debut.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC
February 10, 2026
What. A. Debut. Easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
I’ve never read a book like this! The story is stitched together by a cacophony of people close to the family, eyewitness accounts, and newspaper pieces surrounding a family tragedy that you aren’t privy to until halfway through the book.
Everybody has an opinion, and you’ll find yourself yanked back and forth, your own thoughts changing and morphing based on information you have. The sensationalism of the whole thing is so representative of the bits and pieces we’re fed in real crime stories.
I think anyone who loves family drama, multiple POV, and crime narratives will be hooked immediately. The cultural themes of immigration, integration, and many others make the story that much more important in today’s climate.
I’ll be watching closely for her next novel! Patmeena Sabit is such a beautiful and intriguing new voice in the book world! Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy!
I’ve never read a book like this! The story is stitched together by a cacophony of people close to the family, eyewitness accounts, and newspaper pieces surrounding a family tragedy that you aren’t privy to until halfway through the book.
Everybody has an opinion, and you’ll find yourself yanked back and forth, your own thoughts changing and morphing based on information you have. The sensationalism of the whole thing is so representative of the bits and pieces we’re fed in real crime stories.
I think anyone who loves family drama, multiple POV, and crime narratives will be hooked immediately. The cultural themes of immigration, integration, and many others make the story that much more important in today’s climate.
I’ll be watching closely for her next novel! Patmeena Sabit is such a beautiful and intriguing new voice in the book world! Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy!
February 11, 2026
✨REVIEW: Good People by Patmeena Sabit✨
🎧4.5⭐️
🤔You should know…
This story includes many perspectives on a family from many different people. I didn’t count, but I’m guessing there were 50 people who shared their experiences. The main thing to be aware of is that it’s NOT necessary to remember the names of everyone who shares. Just focus on what they say about the family.
❤️This was a fascinating look at a refugee couple (and their American-born children) on so many levels: their struggles within and outside of their Afghan community, their transition from near-poverty to wealth, and the parenting difficulties they faced in raising “westernized children” within their culture.
The reader also has to confront personal biases when a tragedy occurs within the family. Overall, I found this story very thought-provoking!
🥰If you enjoyed Murder in the Family by Cara Hunter, this might be for you!
🤷♀️Why not five stars?
Know going into this that you have to be okay with not getting all the answers in an ending. Part of me wanted a more conclusive explanation.
⚠️Profanity: 2/5 (infrequent and mild- I don’t remember any f-words)
Sexual: 1/5 (none, but includes some derogatory sexual terms, like “slut.”)
🎧4.5⭐️
🤔You should know…
This story includes many perspectives on a family from many different people. I didn’t count, but I’m guessing there were 50 people who shared their experiences. The main thing to be aware of is that it’s NOT necessary to remember the names of everyone who shares. Just focus on what they say about the family.
❤️This was a fascinating look at a refugee couple (and their American-born children) on so many levels: their struggles within and outside of their Afghan community, their transition from near-poverty to wealth, and the parenting difficulties they faced in raising “westernized children” within their culture.
The reader also has to confront personal biases when a tragedy occurs within the family. Overall, I found this story very thought-provoking!
🥰If you enjoyed Murder in the Family by Cara Hunter, this might be for you!
🤷♀️Why not five stars?
Know going into this that you have to be okay with not getting all the answers in an ending. Part of me wanted a more conclusive explanation.
⚠️Profanity: 2/5 (infrequent and mild- I don’t remember any f-words)
Sexual: 1/5 (none, but includes some derogatory sexual terms, like “slut.”)
January 6, 2026
This was a real struggle. I enjoyed the “Court of Public Opinion” style telling of the story, with many different people giving their opinion and experience of the Sharafs, an Afghan family living in America.
But by the time that 50% of the book had passed, nothing had happened! So many different narrators, I couldn’t possibly keep track: family friends, relatives, school teachers, neighbours, school friends, business associates, religious figures, and so on, but no real story, to speak of. At 52% I was going to DNF, but somehow I pushed on.
Later in the book there was a small element of mystery which only really highlighted the toxic nature of organised religions; whether there was a crime committed or not, everything came back to people’s belief that the must abide by what they are told to do by a mythical being.
I am very much an outlier as this book has many 4/5 star reviews, so although it didn’t work for me, if it intrigues you, give it a go!
2 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
But by the time that 50% of the book had passed, nothing had happened! So many different narrators, I couldn’t possibly keep track: family friends, relatives, school teachers, neighbours, school friends, business associates, religious figures, and so on, but no real story, to speak of. At 52% I was going to DNF, but somehow I pushed on.
Later in the book there was a small element of mystery which only really highlighted the toxic nature of organised religions; whether there was a crime committed or not, everything came back to people’s belief that the must abide by what they are told to do by a mythical being.
I am very much an outlier as this book has many 4/5 star reviews, so although it didn’t work for me, if it intrigues you, give it a go!
2 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
February 3, 2026
4.25
Patmeena Sabit’s debut, Good People, is a piercing and ingeniously structured exploration of the American Dream and the fragile facades of the "model immigrant" family. Set against the backdrop of Northern Virginia, the story centers on the Sharafs, an Afghan family that rises from refugee status to immense wealth, only to be dismantled by a tragedy involving their eldest daughter, Zorah.
*A paragraph with minor spoilers regarding narrative structure:*
The novel’s most striking feature is its multi-POV narrative. Ms. Sabit employs a “kaleidoscopic” approach, building the story entirely through interviews, police statements, and media reports. Remarkably, we never hear from the Sharaf family directly. Instead, we see them through the shifting lenses of neighbours, teachers, and community members. This stylistic choice turns the reader into a voyeur, forced to sift through gossip, cultural misunderstandings, and biased memories to find the truth. It brilliantly highlights how public opinion can act as both a judge and a jury before the facts are even clear.
The central theme explores the cultural schism between first-generation parents clinging to tradition and their Westernized children. That’s not in itself new, but it’s the choice of narrative structure that makes this feel fresh and immediate. The author masterfully illustrates the weight of “honour" and the pressure of assimilation, showing how the Sharafs’ success was often a performance for a judgmental world. At least, that’s how it seemed to me. Much of this is open to readers’ own interpretations.
While the parade of voices, many of whose names I only vaguely recalled (tho, I’ll accept arguments as to why that’s not important) can occasionally feel repetitive, and, in some passages, slightly overextended, the emotional payoff of this novel is profound. Good People is a haunting, provocative snapshot of our divided times that challenges the reader to question their own values and, perhaps, prejudices.
Thanks to the author and publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to share the events that befall the Sharaf family.
Patmeena Sabit’s debut, Good People, is a piercing and ingeniously structured exploration of the American Dream and the fragile facades of the "model immigrant" family. Set against the backdrop of Northern Virginia, the story centers on the Sharafs, an Afghan family that rises from refugee status to immense wealth, only to be dismantled by a tragedy involving their eldest daughter, Zorah.
*A paragraph with minor spoilers regarding narrative structure:*
The novel’s most striking feature is its multi-POV narrative. Ms. Sabit employs a “kaleidoscopic” approach, building the story entirely through interviews, police statements, and media reports. Remarkably, we never hear from the Sharaf family directly. Instead, we see them through the shifting lenses of neighbours, teachers, and community members. This stylistic choice turns the reader into a voyeur, forced to sift through gossip, cultural misunderstandings, and biased memories to find the truth. It brilliantly highlights how public opinion can act as both a judge and a jury before the facts are even clear.
The central theme explores the cultural schism between first-generation parents clinging to tradition and their Westernized children. That’s not in itself new, but it’s the choice of narrative structure that makes this feel fresh and immediate. The author masterfully illustrates the weight of “honour" and the pressure of assimilation, showing how the Sharafs’ success was often a performance for a judgmental world. At least, that’s how it seemed to me. Much of this is open to readers’ own interpretations.
While the parade of voices, many of whose names I only vaguely recalled (tho, I’ll accept arguments as to why that’s not important) can occasionally feel repetitive, and, in some passages, slightly overextended, the emotional payoff of this novel is profound. Good People is a haunting, provocative snapshot of our divided times that challenges the reader to question their own values and, perhaps, prejudices.
Thanks to the author and publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to share the events that befall the Sharaf family.
February 8, 2026
✨This book began exceptionally well; there was an unsettling feeling that something was amiss, that a significant revelation was imminent, and that someone had been harmed.
However, halfway through, I found the narrative to be dragging, and I felt that the book could have been shorter.
It’s a literary mystery, narrated through secondary characters, but there are so many of them that I struggle to keep track of them.
While it’s very readable, it’s also quite verbose and filled with unnecessary words.
It was a good start, but it didn’t live up to the hype. ✨💪
However, halfway through, I found the narrative to be dragging, and I felt that the book could have been shorter.
It’s a literary mystery, narrated through secondary characters, but there are so many of them that I struggle to keep track of them.
While it’s very readable, it’s also quite verbose and filled with unnecessary words.
It was a good start, but it didn’t live up to the hype. ✨💪
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A very accomplished debut novel about a Muslim Afghan family who flee from their home country during the Russian invasion, to the US. Arriving with little or nothing, the local Afghan community gather around to help them find their feet.
As their 4 young children grow up in an American culture, the parents hold on to their Afghan one and clashes ensue as the family becomes a success story, financially independent.
When a family tragedy happens the best and the worst of both communities and cultures come to the fore as the author shines a light on the good and bad of both.
Told from a series of interviews with friends, family and acquaintances, I found the format hard to get to grips with initially but once I got used to it and saw where the book was going I found that it had a good flow to it.
A clever format to get across the point of the book imo. Shining a light on both cultures, both the good and the bad without judgement. The book is more of a cultural work of fiction than a mystery and it hits that spot well.
What I didnt enjoy so much was the lack of real connection with any of the characters which is down to the format chosen for the book. There are dozens of interviews and they are mostly short opinion pieces and you spend more time reading about peoples opinions of the family rather than being with the family themselves. I really think a story arc interspersed with the interview chapters would have served the book better overall for a more engrossing read.
Still enjoyable enough for me if a little cold in its execution.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
As their 4 young children grow up in an American culture, the parents hold on to their Afghan one and clashes ensue as the family becomes a success story, financially independent.
When a family tragedy happens the best and the worst of both communities and cultures come to the fore as the author shines a light on the good and bad of both.
Told from a series of interviews with friends, family and acquaintances, I found the format hard to get to grips with initially but once I got used to it and saw where the book was going I found that it had a good flow to it.
A clever format to get across the point of the book imo. Shining a light on both cultures, both the good and the bad without judgement. The book is more of a cultural work of fiction than a mystery and it hits that spot well.
What I didnt enjoy so much was the lack of real connection with any of the characters which is down to the format chosen for the book. There are dozens of interviews and they are mostly short opinion pieces and you spend more time reading about peoples opinions of the family rather than being with the family themselves. I really think a story arc interspersed with the interview chapters would have served the book better overall for a more engrossing read.
Still enjoyable enough for me if a little cold in its execution.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I could not stop reading this book. The entire story unfolds as a collection of statements narrated by various people who can in some way offer a perspective on the death of Zorah Sharaf. Be it family friends, her friends, witnesses in the investigation of her death, staff from her school, her family's lawyer - anyone and everyone but never do we hear directly from the family themselves. Everything is recounted second hand. And it works so well as a narrative device.
This is a debut novel, but it's incredibly clever in the way the story unfolds. We hear from the same people over and over throughout, but as the novel progresses, and they offer more information, the perspectives constantly shift, giving the reader another train of thought to run with. This novel is such an excellent portrayal of being tried by the court of public opinion, something that has become all too commonplace with what our society has evolved into.
"The unfortunate truth is that in the case of the Sharafs, they became lightning rods of public hatred not only for being rich, but for having the audacity to be rich while also brown."
4.5 ⭐️
Thanks to @hachetteaus for the early review copy. Expected publication February 2026.
This is a debut novel, but it's incredibly clever in the way the story unfolds. We hear from the same people over and over throughout, but as the novel progresses, and they offer more information, the perspectives constantly shift, giving the reader another train of thought to run with. This novel is such an excellent portrayal of being tried by the court of public opinion, something that has become all too commonplace with what our society has evolved into.
"The unfortunate truth is that in the case of the Sharafs, they became lightning rods of public hatred not only for being rich, but for having the audacity to be rich while also brown."
4.5 ⭐️
Thanks to @hachetteaus for the early review copy. Expected publication February 2026.
October 20, 2025
Thought provoking and cleverly written. This is a perfect read for the current climate. It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel.
It had a very unique style and layout which took me a while to get used to but once I settled in, I enjoyed the storyline which is a mystery with cultural elements (or maybe the other way around).
This would be a great book club pick as there is a lot to unpack.
I can’t help but wondering if I would have enjoyed this novel more if it had more of a contemporary layout/story line. I believe I may have connected to the characters more, for which there were many.
It had a very unique style and layout which took me a while to get used to but once I settled in, I enjoyed the storyline which is a mystery with cultural elements (or maybe the other way around).
This would be a great book club pick as there is a lot to unpack.
I can’t help but wondering if I would have enjoyed this novel more if it had more of a contemporary layout/story line. I believe I may have connected to the characters more, for which there were many.
February 6, 2026
I can hardly believe this one is a debut. It is an interesting writing style, hearing viewpoints from tangential people and none of the main characters have a POV. I really appreciated this and found it to be intriguing and fits really well with the plot. It is about an Afghani muslim family, their work ethic and ability to become moderately wealthy while holding to tradition.
The pacing is slow at first, but I urge you to follow along and trust the author. Most of the action and plot happens in the last third of the book, but if we didn't go along this path it wouldn't be such an impactful story. I think it is best to go in as blind as possible without spoilers, but as the blurb says, there is a tragic event and the ambiguity is a deliberate literary choice that will likely make this one of the top "book club" choices of 2026- there is a lot to discuss.
How we judge our neighbors
How we protect our children
I give this one a thumbs up
Main character in 3 words- (Zorah) - immature, self-centered, passionate. In many ways a very typical teenager.
Highly recommend! Full cast on audio which is also special.
The pacing is slow at first, but I urge you to follow along and trust the author. Most of the action and plot happens in the last third of the book, but if we didn't go along this path it wouldn't be such an impactful story. I think it is best to go in as blind as possible without spoilers, but as the blurb says, there is a tragic event and the ambiguity is a deliberate literary choice that will likely make this one of the top "book club" choices of 2026- there is a lot to discuss.
How we judge our neighbors
How we protect our children
I give this one a thumbs up
Main character in 3 words- (Zorah) - immature, self-centered, passionate. In many ways a very typical teenager.
Highly recommend! Full cast on audio which is also special.
February 5, 2026
I was not sure about the formatting, but then as the story went on, it really served the story well with narrators gossip and perception changing how you viewed the overall events on each page.
I felt it was important for me to read and gain some sort of perspective even at times when I didn’t understand everything that was going on culturally or with some of the dialects.
For as many different points of view as there were, each interview had a really distinct and unique voice. This book had a startling look at what gossip, biases, and preconceived notions make us believe about people we don’t even know very well or even at all.
The whole book was different points of view, and you could never really know who was the absolute truth, it was just the different ways that people saw these characters and what had happened.
The entire book felt like a clash of culture, social differences, different life experiences, and the ultimate truth. A really powerful and thought-provoking read.
Who we are as a person is shaped so much by how we were raised, where we were born, and the beliefs and cultures that have been instilled in us from those around us.
But when we believe that our experience is the only expierence that’s valid and the only truth, then we can find ourselves in some very dangerous and hateful territory… That truly was the biggest takeaway from this book for me.
I felt it was important for me to read and gain some sort of perspective even at times when I didn’t understand everything that was going on culturally or with some of the dialects.
For as many different points of view as there were, each interview had a really distinct and unique voice. This book had a startling look at what gossip, biases, and preconceived notions make us believe about people we don’t even know very well or even at all.
The whole book was different points of view, and you could never really know who was the absolute truth, it was just the different ways that people saw these characters and what had happened.
The entire book felt like a clash of culture, social differences, different life experiences, and the ultimate truth. A really powerful and thought-provoking read.
Who we are as a person is shaped so much by how we were raised, where we were born, and the beliefs and cultures that have been instilled in us from those around us.
But when we believe that our experience is the only expierence that’s valid and the only truth, then we can find ourselves in some very dangerous and hateful territory… That truly was the biggest takeaway from this book for me.
August 14, 2025
It’s hard to take in that ‘Good People’ is Patmeena Sabit’s first novel, so accomplished is every aspect of this narrative and so brave is its concept. Told through a myriad of voices – those close to the Sharaf family and those on the periphery, friends and enemies, neighbours and professionals – this is a story of the American Dream come good and then gone horribly bad.
To bill this as a murder mystery is to describe just a fraction of the ideas and issues that Sabit explores in her story of the Afghan community living in Northern Virginia. The importance of retaining one’s culture whilst being American comes across loud and clear – but to what extent and for how many generations? And what happens when the land of the free doesn’t appear to accept your beliefs and customs?
The death of Zorah, beloved daughter, transmutes from a heartbreaking accident to a callous murder depending on whose point of view is being presented. The author has clearly structured the narrative so that many of the voices sound utterly rational. It’s easy to understand assumptions being made and proclamations misunderstood. As the Sharafs’ lawyer states: ‘…they became lightning rods of public hatred not only for being rich, but for having the audacity to be rich whilst also brown.’ Just as the reader begins to believe that this is clearly a case of racism, fanned by mob rule and online hate, another voice is introduced which suggests, with compelling evidence, that there is no doubt that Zorah is a victim of filicide.
Through these alternating, often subtly different views, Sabit allows the reader to gain a better understanding of the complexities of identity and culture, social expectations and prejudice. It is almost as if the reader becomes a member of a jury intent on listening objectively and searching for the truth whilst learning that any certainty is short-lived at best. A really engrossing, thought-provoking read, and highly recommended. I hope this will be the first of many such novels from Patmeena Sabit.
My thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK, Virago for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
To bill this as a murder mystery is to describe just a fraction of the ideas and issues that Sabit explores in her story of the Afghan community living in Northern Virginia. The importance of retaining one’s culture whilst being American comes across loud and clear – but to what extent and for how many generations? And what happens when the land of the free doesn’t appear to accept your beliefs and customs?
The death of Zorah, beloved daughter, transmutes from a heartbreaking accident to a callous murder depending on whose point of view is being presented. The author has clearly structured the narrative so that many of the voices sound utterly rational. It’s easy to understand assumptions being made and proclamations misunderstood. As the Sharafs’ lawyer states: ‘…they became lightning rods of public hatred not only for being rich, but for having the audacity to be rich whilst also brown.’ Just as the reader begins to believe that this is clearly a case of racism, fanned by mob rule and online hate, another voice is introduced which suggests, with compelling evidence, that there is no doubt that Zorah is a victim of filicide.
Through these alternating, often subtly different views, Sabit allows the reader to gain a better understanding of the complexities of identity and culture, social expectations and prejudice. It is almost as if the reader becomes a member of a jury intent on listening objectively and searching for the truth whilst learning that any certainty is short-lived at best. A really engrossing, thought-provoking read, and highly recommended. I hope this will be the first of many such novels from Patmeena Sabit.
My thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK, Virago for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
February 9, 2026
Good People by Patmeena Sabit came on my radar when I saw that it was chosen for Barnes and Noble’s February book club. The timely novel features an Afghan immigrant family who achieves the American dream and then is thrust into the court of public opinion after a tragedy. The story is not told from the point of view of the family but from interviews of a wide range of friends, neighbors, classmates, attorneys, and investigators. I thought this unique style was especially effective on audio with its full cast narration.
It took me some time to get into the rhythm of the story but I’m so glad I stuck with it. The pace really picks up in the last third and packs an emotional punch. This is when the gossip and blatant racism takes on a life of its own in a disturbing way. It’s powerful and thought provoking. This novel will give book clubs a lot to talk about including: racism, Islamophobia, the way Americans treat immigrants, hate groups masked as “concerned citizens”, armchair experts, and the sensationalizing of the news. I highly recommend this engrossing debut novel! 4/5⭐️
It took me some time to get into the rhythm of the story but I’m so glad I stuck with it. The pace really picks up in the last third and packs an emotional punch. This is when the gossip and blatant racism takes on a life of its own in a disturbing way. It’s powerful and thought provoking. This novel will give book clubs a lot to talk about including: racism, Islamophobia, the way Americans treat immigrants, hate groups masked as “concerned citizens”, armchair experts, and the sensationalizing of the news. I highly recommend this engrossing debut novel! 4/5⭐️
February 11, 2026
I truly could not put this book down. Coming from an immigrant family myself, I found it especially compelling to read about the cultural differences, belief systems, and what it’s like to grow up in another country. The entire book unfolds through statements from various people interviewed about a tragedy involving an immigrant family. It reads like a documentary in literary form. Depending on who is speaking, whether it’s an American-born classmate or a family friend who shares the same cultural background and beliefs, you’re given strikingly different perspectives and reactions to what happened.
February 6, 2026
This was a fascinating read, and I can see it being a great book for discussion, as it’s likely to spark strong opinions. I really enjoyed it.
January 10, 2026
This book—and I mean this as a compliment—is the antithesis of a neat and tidy package. I’m already impatient to talk abt this with others and it’s not even officially out yet. Excited to read more from Sabit.
July 30, 2025
At first I thought I was not going to like the style of this book, then I was drawn in and then...completely hooked. A story of the Sharaf family, parents first generation Muslim Afghan refugees with American born children set in Virginia. As the older son and daughter become adolescent, boundaries are tested.
It is a story told by the people surrounding the family, neighours, friends, eyewitnesses and professionals, each with a different relationship and each shedding different light on both parents, children and traditions. We do not hear any of the story from the perspective of the protagonists. The episodic narrative resembles a 360 degree appraisal for the reader to build and interrogate themselves and draw their own conclusions in interpreting the information that builds.
The compulsion comes from deciding how this family with its established values worked together, how much of what they tell others is reliable or unreliable and what level of unconscious bias you may bring to your reading. Whilst often stories end inconclusively or with ambivalence, with this novel it is almost a reader-led conclusion. Found this element equally wonderful and irritating! Seeing this as a good thing!
With thanks to #NetGalley and #ViragoBooks for the opportunity to read and review
It is a story told by the people surrounding the family, neighours, friends, eyewitnesses and professionals, each with a different relationship and each shedding different light on both parents, children and traditions. We do not hear any of the story from the perspective of the protagonists. The episodic narrative resembles a 360 degree appraisal for the reader to build and interrogate themselves and draw their own conclusions in interpreting the information that builds.
The compulsion comes from deciding how this family with its established values worked together, how much of what they tell others is reliable or unreliable and what level of unconscious bias you may bring to your reading. Whilst often stories end inconclusively or with ambivalence, with this novel it is almost a reader-led conclusion. Found this element equally wonderful and irritating! Seeing this as a good thing!
With thanks to #NetGalley and #ViragoBooks for the opportunity to read and review
September 25, 2025
There is tragic accident – or is it an accident? All the details slowly unfold in a series of interviews with relatives and family friends. The shortness of the interviews made it difficult to get into the plot at first but as I persevered it was slowly drawn in. Tedious in places but overall an interesting premise.
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
November 7, 2025
I enjoyed this debut and look forward to reading more from this author. The story was told in a unique way, from multiple perspectives, almost a true-crime documentary style. I was hoping for a more definitive ending, and frustrated that they didn't investigate the boyfriend more, but it definitely touched on a lot of important issues in today's society.
February 2, 2026
4.5 stars.
✨This was such an impressive debut with a refreshingly unique premise. The story unfolds entirely through second-hand perspectives with each viewpoint adding pieces to the puzzle as readers try to uncover what really happened.
✨The author skillfully weaves themes of cultural bias, Islamophobia, public judgment, identity, and grief into the narrative, creating a story that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
✨What stood out most for me was the novel’s take on the complexities of truth – that it’s complex and layered, with no single version of events capturing the full reality.
✨Consider this one for your next book club pick as it will surely provoke some great conversations.
🎧I devoured this book on audio, and the full-cast recording perfectly highlighted the different perspectives that shape the story.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Impressive debuts
✨Immigrant family stories
✨Sensationalism narratives
✨Multiple points of view
✨Clever storytelling methods
✨This was such an impressive debut with a refreshingly unique premise. The story unfolds entirely through second-hand perspectives with each viewpoint adding pieces to the puzzle as readers try to uncover what really happened.
✨The author skillfully weaves themes of cultural bias, Islamophobia, public judgment, identity, and grief into the narrative, creating a story that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
✨What stood out most for me was the novel’s take on the complexities of truth – that it’s complex and layered, with no single version of events capturing the full reality.
✨Consider this one for your next book club pick as it will surely provoke some great conversations.
🎧I devoured this book on audio, and the full-cast recording perfectly highlighted the different perspectives that shape the story.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Impressive debuts
✨Immigrant family stories
✨Sensationalism narratives
✨Multiple points of view
✨Clever storytelling methods
February 9, 2026
Like many stories set in the Washington, D.C., area, Good People—Afghan American author Patmeena Sabit’s debut novel—is both rich in local color and inherently global. The book exposes the dark underbelly of the region’s prosperity while probing the limits of assimilation and acceptance in the American immigrant experience.
For me, this duality was particularly notable. Good People takes place mostly in the fictional northern Virginia suburb of Riverside, which Sabit confirmed to Foreign Policy is “loosely based on McLean,” the town where I grew up. Sabit accurately describes Riverside as “bucolic suburb” home to “a lot of big names,” where students and parents are “[o]bsessed with super scoring and percentiles.” It was unsurprising to me that the book’s high school-age protagonist would see her life unravel in this intense environment.
Zorah Sharaf appears to have it all: She’s pretty, popular, rich, and smart—in some ways, the encapsulation of her parents’ American dream. The two came to the United States as “penniless” refugees and ascended to a $3 million mansion in Riverside. The Sharafs “became more American than the Americans,” Sabit writes... [[READ THE REST IN FP: https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/06/...]]
For me, this duality was particularly notable. Good People takes place mostly in the fictional northern Virginia suburb of Riverside, which Sabit confirmed to Foreign Policy is “loosely based on McLean,” the town where I grew up. Sabit accurately describes Riverside as “bucolic suburb” home to “a lot of big names,” where students and parents are “[o]bsessed with super scoring and percentiles.” It was unsurprising to me that the book’s high school-age protagonist would see her life unravel in this intense environment.
Zorah Sharaf appears to have it all: She’s pretty, popular, rich, and smart—in some ways, the encapsulation of her parents’ American dream. The two came to the United States as “penniless” refugees and ascended to a $3 million mansion in Riverside. The Sharafs “became more American than the Americans,” Sabit writes... [[READ THE REST IN FP: https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/06/...]]
February 10, 2026
I really enjoyed this book even though parts were sad and depressing. I loved the format of the book. The entire story was told through interviews with family, friends, and neighbors, as well as newspaper articles. This book is also very relevant in today’s political climate of immigration, racism, and Islamophobia. Most of all, I loved that this book makes you think about truth and sensationalism. What are the real facts? It’s not always easy to tell.
February 10, 2026
more like a 4.5, a slow start and at first I didn’t get the multiple narratives because they all told the same opinion/story. as the story progresses that changes, some parts feel a tad dragged out or repetitive but I enjoyed the ending. I liked that Sabit kept the big event a surprise in the book’s summary. can’t say much else without spoiling the book but it did get me thinking.
February 7, 2026
4.25 stars
Review to come.
Review to come.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews