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dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
March book club read! Wow I hated this book, it was a fast read and kept me interested enough which is the only reason it got 2 stars. I really don’t like Freida McFadden, I just don’t think she is worth the hype. Her writing feels elementary and predictable. This book specifically content wise felt incredibly icky. I was not on board with reading about all of the pedophilia - I also thought it was icky that they didn’t ever really name it as that or recognize how inappropriate all of the relationships were. It really shows how brutal cycles of trauma can be. Wouldn’t recommend, but you do you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
Moderate: Rape
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, Murder
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
While the writing in The Teacher is undeniably well-crafted, the uncomfortable and disturbing themes surrounding manipulation, pedophilia, and inappropriate relationships made for a challenging read. The first-person narration in the audiobook only intensified the discomfort, particularly in how the main male character manipulated those around him. The plot, though engaging, was often frustrating due to the injustices portrayed, leaving me angry and unsettled. Although the characters were well-developed and had clear motivations, I didn’t personally connect with them, largely due to the themes and their actions.
The book contains strong plot twists, especially toward the end, which kept me hooked despite the uncomfortable subject matter. While the book might work for readers who can distance themselves from the heavy themes or don’t find the content triggering, I would be cautious about recommending it to others, given its potential to evoke intense emotional reactions. The overall feeling left by the book is one of disturbance, and it’s a story that I would likely never revisit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Pedophilia, Rape
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wasn't a huge fan of the characters, they weren't likeable, but I think that was intentional. The story was intriguing enough to keep reading mainly due to the intriguing prologue. It was deliberately misleading. And TBH, if I hadn't been hooked by the prologue, I wouldn't have been invested. I really wanted to know who was killing who. I wasn't a fan of the grooming and was worried that would be a huge part of the story considering it was set in a high school and called "the teacher." There were some ew moments, and I'd have preferred this to be set in college, I do not like this type of story with 14 / 15 year olds and adults.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to love this book. It was an easy read and the twists were welcome. The characters just felt to simple and none of them were very likable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual content, Murder
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is diabolical filth but I have to read more of Freida's works now so take that for what you will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book pissed me off, I love Freida but I didn’t need this. & that ending Wtf
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Gaslighting
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5 STARS, THUMBS UP 👍🏼
content warnings for this book are: sexual predator behavior, csa, grooming of a minor
wow. mcfadden has done it again! another thrilling, enticing book! granted, while the subject matter disturbed me greatly, mcfadden handled it with finesse; no romanticizing of it at all.
the book is split up into three parts and told from the perspective of multiple people. it tells the story of addie, a sixteen-year-old student at caseham high school; her math teacher, eve bennett; and eve’s husband, nate bennett, an english teacher at the same school— and the terrible web of lies and manipulation that is woven throughout the book.
honestly, i started this book at 11:30pm and it’s about to be 8:30pm as i write this review. it had me that hooked! there are characters you distrust and dislike, which mcfadden does a good job at, i’ve noticed. because then you never know who to trust! you’re always suspicious of what’s going on.
overall, even though i did not see some twists coming, i was going along for the ride until the very end. seriously, 10/10! solid job, mcfadden!
content warnings for this book are: sexual predator behavior, csa, grooming of a minor
wow. mcfadden has done it again! another thrilling, enticing book! granted, while the subject matter disturbed me greatly, mcfadden handled it with finesse; no romanticizing of it at all.
the book is split up into three parts and told from the perspective of multiple people. it tells the story of addie, a sixteen-year-old student at caseham high school; her math teacher, eve bennett; and eve’s husband, nate bennett, an english teacher at the same school— and the terrible web of lies and manipulation that is woven throughout the book.
honestly, i started this book at 11:30pm and it’s about to be 8:30pm as i write this review. it had me that hooked! there are characters you distrust and dislike, which mcfadden does a good job at, i’ve noticed. because then you never know who to trust! you’re always suspicious of what’s going on.
overall, even though i did not see some twists coming, i was going along for the ride until the very end. seriously, 10/10! solid job, mcfadden!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia
Moderate: Death, Rape, Murder
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I won’t be reading another of McFadden’s books after this one. I had it available on audio and it was quick, so I put it on without any digging into the plot or themes. Gross glorification of teacher-student “relationships,” which is obviously my biggest issue with it. Secondarily, this book is the second of hers I’ve read where she has used an unreliable narrator to lazily cover a twist. Also, using even more grooming and SA as a “twist” is disgusting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape