The Best Kind of People

The Best Kind of People is a 2016 novel by Canadian author, Zoe Whittall. The Best Kind of People is Whittall's third novel, and it was a finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, as well as named Indigo's #1 Book of 2016 and Heather's Pick.[1] The novel was named one of the best books of the year by The Globe & Mail, The National Post, Toronto Life, and Walrus Magazine.[2][3][4][5] The Best Kind of People was published by House of Anansi.[1] Currently, the book is in the process of being adapted for film by Canadian director, Sarah Polley.[1]

The novel follows a WASP family living in Connecticut whose lives come apart when the patriarch of the family is arrested for sexually abusing some of his students on his daughter's 17th birthday.

Plot Summary

George Woodbury is a beloved high school science teacher living in rural Connecticut. After apprehending a potential school shooter he is well regarded within his community. The morning of his youngest daughter Sadie's seventeenth birthday George is abruptly arrested on allegations that he was sexually inappropriate with several high school girls on a school trip. George's wife Joan initially disbelieves the charges but realizes shortly after George is arrested that he knew that the arrest was forthcoming.

The entire family begins to grapple with George's arrest in their own way. Sadie has trouble believing her father's total innocence. Joan learns that her husband has secretly spent much of the trust that funded their lifestyle and wonders what else he is hiding. Eldest son Andrew believes completely in his father's innocence, though returning to the family home also means reconnecting with the older coach who was his first relationship while he was still in high school himself: a relationship he refuses to acknowledge as predatory.

As her family is harassed over her father's arrest Sadie begins living with her boyfriend, Jimmy, his mother, and his mother's boyfriend, Kevin. Unbeknownst to Sadie, Kevin, a has-been novelist, is using her life and the circumstances around her case to relaunch his career. He connects with George who agrees to be interviewed for the novel and to keep the project a secret from Sadie and Joan. In the meantime Sadie develops a crush on Kevin and begins to believe his probing questions means that he has feelings for her too.

Joan and Sadie decide to spend Christmas in New York City where Andrew lives. They learn that George has been attacked in jail though he will survive his injuries. At the same time Andrew is approached by a former babysitter who reveals that George raped her when she was thirteen and used much of his trust fund to pay for her schooling. With the newfound clarity that George is a predator, Joan decides to divorce George.

Sadie and Joan finally discover that Kevin has been writing a novel about their lives causing Sadie to lose her feelings for him.

Despite knowing that George is guilty, the entire family decide to support him at trial where they learn that his main accuser has recanted her story after harassment from men's rights activists. George returns to normal life and continues to be a lauded member of the community. Joan ultimately decides to reunite with him.

References
  1. "The Best Kind of People". House of Anansi Press. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
  2. "Best books of the year". The Globe and Mail. December 3, 2016.
  3. "The National Post Bestseller". The National Post. October 8, 2016.
  4. "The must-read Toronto books of 2016". Toronto Life. 2016-12-30. Retrieved 2019-08-22.
  5. Walrus, The (2016-12-15). "The Best Books of 2016". The Walrus. Retrieved 2019-08-22.
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