The Best Kind of People
Zoe Whittall
I admit to being a bit triggered the first time I tried to
read this book about a beloved schoolteacher accused of molesting teen-aged
girls, and the effect it has on his family.
But I gave it another shot, and frankly found it too quiet for the
subject matter, and pretty much unbelievable.
Things I had trouble believing:
-No bail, incarceration in prison for 8-9 months when the
accused was a member of a founding family, a local hero and beloved
teacher? Because he was a flight risk?
No.
-The length of time George was in prison gave his family
time to shift from “hell no” to probably guilty.
-That two books could be written and published after the
arrest and before the accused went to trial.
-that a high school senior was basically set “free” …not
attending classes, not accounting to anyone, and apparently had unlimited funds,
but still got into Columbia.
-that no one sued anyone else civilly.
Despite the inability to suspend disbelief, the writing felt
authentic. I am not sure about choosing
three different narrative points of view though, and the book didn’t impress me
enough to want to read more. To be fair,
it is tough subject matter that requires facility with teenagers, the legal
system, the gossip and publishing worlds, gay issues and the psychological effect
all those things have on a “typical suburban (wealthy) family.” To the extent
that the author took those risks is commendable.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for this review.
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