Pat D. (pat0814) reviewed on + 379 more book reviews
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,
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,
