The Best Kind of People

A Novel

By: Zoe Whittall

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

A local schoolteacher is arrested, leaving his family to wrestle with the possibility of his guilt, in this exquisite novel about loyalty, truth, and happiness.

The Woodburys cherish life in the affluent, bucolic suburb of Avalon Hills, Connecticut. George is a beloved science teacher at the local prep school, a hero who once thwarted a gunman, and his wife, Joan, is a hardworking ER nurse. They have brought up their children in this thriving town of wooded yards and sprawling lakes.

Then, one night, a police car pulls up to the Woodbury home, and George is charged with sexual misconduct with students from his daughter's school. As he sits in prison awaiting trial and claiming innocence, Joan vaults between denial and rage as friends and neighbors turn cold. Their daughter, 17-year-old Sadie, is a popular high school senior who becomes a social outcast - and finds refuge in an unexpected place. Her brother, Andrew, a lawyer in New York, returns home to support the family, only to confront unhappy memories from his past. A writer tries to exploit their story while an unlikely men's rights activist group attempts to recruit Sadie for their cause.

Provocative and unforgettable, The Best Kind of People reveals the cracks along the seams of even the most perfect lives and the unraveling of an American family.

©2017 Zoe Whittall (P)2017 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A gripping novel, one that shines a light on family dynamics under extreme pressure." ( The Vancouver Sun)

"Zoe Whittall's undisputed talent as a writer shines, as does her understanding into the complexity of our sympathies, our morality, and our humanity. With incredible empathy and undeniable skill, this book is sure to spark much-needed dialogue, vital debate, and richly deserved acclaim." (Stacey May Fowles, author of Infidelity)

Story was kind of boring and average.

Story was slow and the ending was predictable. The narrator did a great job though.

What was the point?

The story had no real closure, no real ramp up or climax... a bunch of weird "maybe this is a plot twist?" moments that turned into nothing really. It's a good book but it's not a great book. Also, for the record, I still have NO IDEA how the title relates back to the book either.

I am just left wondering what the point of the book was, I feel like I missed some lesson learned or plot twist that evaded me or something.

Thought Provocing, but...

A good book club book, which is how it was introduce to me. It takes on the effects of sexual assault in the accusation sexual assault, which is a bold and admirable undertaking.
However, because the act/accusation is so vague in the book, it prevents any discussion about a single incident, but about the concept as a whole. Spoilers ahead, George, while guilty as a whole, almost gets killed over an what ends up being a vauge accusation "attempted rape" which spans a lot of possibilities.
While he was in jail George was certainly sexually violated, and the refusal of bail by the judge is bizzare. The payoff money to the baby sitter seems to be implied is the difference in the bank account, college expenses are certainly rising, it would be a drop in the bucket of the implied fortune of the Woodberries.
Kevin is a sad and pitiful character, it seemed odd he was a major factor at all.

Very drawn out

The book started out great. The plot itself was good. However, the book was so drawn out. I was bored most of the read. There was so much that could have been left out. I wouldn't waste the money for this book.