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Book Reviews of The Best Kind of People: A Novel

The Best Kind of People: A Novel
The Best Kind of People A Novel
Author: Zoe Whittall
ISBN-13: 9780399182273
ISBN-10: 0399182276
Publication Date: 9/4/2018
Pages: 464
Edition: Reprint
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1

4 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

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When George Woodbury, a respected teacher in a private school, is arrested on charges of sexual misconduct with minor students, his stunned family is left to deal with myriad emotions. This ordinary family goes through feelings of shock and betrayal while dealing with the outrage of their once-supportive community.

I thought parts of this book simply didn't ring true. George's wife, Joan, seems to abdicate all parental responsibility for their daughter, Sadie, when it is most needed. Sadie's downward spiral into excesses of alcohol, drugs and sex are seemingly unheeded by Joan. Sadie's crush on the boyfriend of her boyfriend's mother, Elaine, is also odd, as is Elaine's reaction to it. The outcome of George's trial is startling and unconvincing. George is a weak, flawed, self-indulgent person who ultimately didn't deserve the familial support he received given their knowledge of his history.

This book has an interesting premise that should make us aware that the families of people who commit criminal acts are also victims. The relatives who bear names like Bundy, Dahmer, and Sandusky may be deserving of more compassion than they've been shown. I am grateful to LibraryThing and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC,