A review by rgoth
The Teacher by Freida McFadden

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I think it's going to take me quite a while to fully process my thoughts on this book. From the very first page, it captivated me with its fast-paced narrative and exceptional writing style that pulled me in and made it difficult to put down.

The book delves into some exceptionally dark and troubling topics, notably grooming and child abuse. It's a difficult pill to swallow, especially given that the age of consent is 16 in the state where the story unfolds. However, I have no doubt in my mind that Nate, one of the central figures in the narrative, embodies the traits of a predator, which makes his character deeply unsettling.

As for the characters themselves, I found it challenging to like any of them. They are all fundamentally flawed and grappling with their own personal demons, which makes for a complex but uncomfortable reading experience. Despite my reservations about their morality, I found myself wanting Nate to get the justice he deserved by any means possible.

The twist at the end of the book genuinely left me in shock, rendering me speechless for a moment with my mouth agape! There were so many layers to this revelation. First and foremost, it completely blindsided me—I absolutely did not see it coming. Secondly, without wanting to divulge any spoilers, I find myself grappling with the character of Eve. I can’t quite determine whether she was genuinely naïve or if her mathematical skills were not as sharp as we had been led to believe throughout the story. 😂

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