The Best Kind of People

A Novel

By: Zoe Whittall

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

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, seventeen-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.

GILLER PRIZE FINALIST • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK POST

“A compelling exploration of the ways a crime implicates all of us.”—Kaitlyn Greenidge, author of We Love You, Charlie Freeman

“I am obsessed with this book.”—Samantha Irby, author of We Are Never Meeting in Real Life

“In our post–Harvey Weinstein world [this book] feels more timely and urgent than ever. . . . It draws an elegant line between rape culture, patriarchy, and privilege.”—Claire Cameron, The Millions

“Every character is fully rounded, flawed, and achingly human. It puts me in mind of a twenty-first-century Ordinary People.”—Kate Harding, author of Asking for It

“Sure to provoke debate and send book discussion groups into overtime.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“A powerful page-turner.”—Cosmopolitan

Critic reviews

“The Best Kind of People gets into the hearts and minds of an ordinary family forced to confront the monstrous. This novel is a timely discussion of what we owe those who abuse and those who are targeted in our communities.”—Kaitlyn Greenidge, author of We Love You, Charlie Freeman

“I am obsessed with this book.”—Samantha Irby, author of We Are Never Meeting in Real Life

“In our post–Harvey Weinstein world [this book] feels more timely and urgent than ever. . . . It draws an elegant line between rape culture, patriarchy, and privilege.”—Claire Cameron, The Millions

“The Best Kind of People examines the effects of rape culture on an entire community with rare nuance and insight. Every character is fully rounded, flawed, and achingly human. It puts me in mind of a twenty-first-century Ordinary People.”—Kate Harding, author of Asking for It

“Sure to provoke debate and send book discussion groups into overtime.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“A powerful page-turner.”—Cosmopolitan

“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

“This may just be Whittall’s breakout novel, and deservedly so.”—The Winnipeg Review

“Taut, compassionate and clever.”—Toronto Star

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.