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The Good Teacher
A good teacher can change lives...
Every evening, Allison watches her husband's new house, desperate to find some answers. Every morning, she puts on a brave face to teach kindergarten. She's a good teacher, everyone says so - this stalking is just a tiny crack in her usual self-control.
A late enrolment into her class brings little Gracie - sick and grieving. Allison takes the girl and her father, Luke, under her wing. She smothers Gracie with the love she can't give her own son. As others question her judgement and the police arrive at her door, Allison starts to wonder if she can trust herself.
When Gracie has a chance to go to America for treatment, Allison leads the school in a fundraising drive. But has she crossed a line?
How far will the good teacher go to save a life? And whose life will that be?
An intriguing tale of our times about kindness and betrayal, and the danger of good deeds.
Every evening, Allison watches her husband's new house, desperate to find some answers. Every morning, she puts on a brave face to teach kindergarten. She's a good teacher, everyone says so - this stalking is just a tiny crack in her usual self-control.
A late enrolment into her class brings little Gracie - sick and grieving. Allison takes the girl and her father, Luke, under her wing. She smothers Gracie with the love she can't give her own son. As others question her judgement and the police arrive at her door, Allison starts to wonder if she can trust herself.
When Gracie has a chance to go to America for treatment, Allison leads the school in a fundraising drive. But has she crossed a line?
How far will the good teacher go to save a life? And whose life will that be?
An intriguing tale of our times about kindness and betrayal, and the danger of good deeds.
432 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2020
About the author
Petronella McGovern
4 books199 followersPetronella McGovern writes psychological thrillers focusing on everyday characters and contemporary issues.
Petronella is fascinated by what makes us tick, the lies we tell, and the secrets we keep. She is the best-selling author of Six Minutes, The Good Teacher, The Liars and The Last Trace. Her books have been nominated in the Ned Kelly Awards, the Davitt Awards and the Australian Independent Bookseller Awards. The Liars was selected in the Top 100 Big W/Better Reading list for 2023.
Petronella grew up in a large family on a farm in New South Wales. Australian landscapes and the bush feature strongly in her stories. Among other adventures, she has worked on a summer camp in America and travelled in eastern Africa which inspired parts of her fourth novel, The Last Trace.
She has also co-written two non-fiction books - a travelogue of the 1960s, For Love and a Beetle with Ivan Hodge; and an Olympic memoir, Trailblazers: Australia's First Olympic Equestrians with Wyatt Thompson.
Follow Petronella on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PetronellaMc... or Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/petronellam...
Petronella is fascinated by what makes us tick, the lies we tell, and the secrets we keep. She is the best-selling author of Six Minutes, The Good Teacher, The Liars and The Last Trace. Her books have been nominated in the Ned Kelly Awards, the Davitt Awards and the Australian Independent Bookseller Awards. The Liars was selected in the Top 100 Big W/Better Reading list for 2023.
Petronella grew up in a large family on a farm in New South Wales. Australian landscapes and the bush feature strongly in her stories. Among other adventures, she has worked on a summer camp in America and travelled in eastern Africa which inspired parts of her fourth novel, The Last Trace.
She has also co-written two non-fiction books - a travelogue of the 1960s, For Love and a Beetle with Ivan Hodge; and an Olympic memoir, Trailblazers: Australia's First Olympic Equestrians with Wyatt Thompson.
Follow Petronella on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PetronellaMc... or Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/petronellam...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
October 8, 2020
Kindergarten teacher Allison Walsh was devastated when her marriage of twenty four years ended. Their teenage son, Felix decided to go live with his father, which added to Allison’s upset. She loved her job, but lately she was finding it difficult to get through each day. When five year old Gracie is placed in Allison’s class she soon realises she is going to need to go that extra mile and give Gracie more care and understanding. Gracie is a sick little girl who is battling cancer as well as grieving for her mum who recently passed away. Gracie’s father, Luke is giving Gracie all the love and support she needs, but he too is struggling. Allison feels for both Luke and Gracie and wants to assist them any way she can.
Allison is finding it hard to come to terms that not only has her marriage ended, but her husband left her for another woman. Allison is desperate to find out who this woman is so she starts stalking their house in hope of getting a glimpse of her. Allison needed to find another purpose in life, so when she finds out Gracie needs to go to America for treatment to save her life she starts a fundraising to help raise enough money to get Gracie and Luke to America. To help save money Allison invites Luke and Gracie to live with her. This will enable Luke to save more money and it will stop Allison feeling so lonely in the house on her own. Allison dedicates every spare moment she has to help raise enough money through the fundraiser and with so many people donating it seems possible that Gracie will get to America, but will the treatment save her life?
WOW! That was some plot twist that I definitely didn’t see coming. Aussie author Petronella McGovern has once again written another fabulous book and I can’t wait to find out what she writes next. If you enjoy twists and intrigue in books, then you MUST grab a copy of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my uncorrected proof ARC copy of this book to read and review.
Allison is finding it hard to come to terms that not only has her marriage ended, but her husband left her for another woman. Allison is desperate to find out who this woman is so she starts stalking their house in hope of getting a glimpse of her. Allison needed to find another purpose in life, so when she finds out Gracie needs to go to America for treatment to save her life she starts a fundraising to help raise enough money to get Gracie and Luke to America. To help save money Allison invites Luke and Gracie to live with her. This will enable Luke to save more money and it will stop Allison feeling so lonely in the house on her own. Allison dedicates every spare moment she has to help raise enough money through the fundraiser and with so many people donating it seems possible that Gracie will get to America, but will the treatment save her life?
WOW! That was some plot twist that I definitely didn’t see coming. Aussie author Petronella McGovern has once again written another fabulous book and I can’t wait to find out what she writes next. If you enjoy twists and intrigue in books, then you MUST grab a copy of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my uncorrected proof ARC copy of this book to read and review.
October 31, 2020
Oh dear. Here I go again! Lots of people whose reading opinions I usually share loved this book and I did not. It was okay but for me nothing to rave about.
Most likely I was put off by the main character who behaved irrationally. Why would a well respected, mature, professional woman go so off the rails after a marriage breakdown? I understand the misery this would cause but stalking? No. And accusing someone she has never met before, to their face, of being the other woman - with no evidence at all? No. And I haven't even got to the bit where she allows a man she has just met and one of her pupils to move in with her.
Moving on:) The story was interesting and went in a direction I had not expected at all. I liked Felix and admired the way he tried to cope with two hopeless parents. I was happy with the way things ended. It was not a bad book, just not the best fit for me.
Most likely I was put off by the main character who behaved irrationally. Why would a well respected, mature, professional woman go so off the rails after a marriage breakdown? I understand the misery this would cause but stalking? No. And accusing someone she has never met before, to their face, of being the other woman - with no evidence at all? No. And I haven't even got to the bit where she allows a man she has just met and one of her pupils to move in with her.
Moving on:) The story was interesting and went in a direction I had not expected at all. I liked Felix and admired the way he tried to cope with two hopeless parents. I was happy with the way things ended. It was not a bad book, just not the best fit for me.
September 5, 2020
Shattered by the breakup of her twenty-four-year marriage, kindergarten teacher Allison Walsh struggled to get through each day with her kids. The arrival at the start of term of a new student, five-year-old Gracie, would put more pressure on the class as Gracie had a rare form of cancer and was currently going through chemotherapy. From the principal down, everyone at the school was made aware of Gracie’s illness and the care they needed to take. When Allison met Luke, Gracie’s dad, it was obvious the love and devotion he had for her, and how the loss of his wife and Gracie’s mother a few months previously had rocked their world.
The stalking of Allison’s husband – trying to spot the “other woman” – was also taking its toll. Their son Felix had moved out to stay with his father, so Allison was alone at night and jittery with the noises which she’d never paid any attention to before. By inviting Luke and Gracie to stay in her house while he saved the money for a cancer trial in Chicago, she was helping them out. She adored Gracie and admired Luke. Running the fundraising for the expensive trip to America, Allison did her best to get everyone onboard. Allison just wanted to help give Gracie every chance to survive…
The Good Teacher is the second novel by Australian author Petronella McGovern and I loved it! A psychological thriller which ticked every box, with characters who would pass for everyday people; the gym coach, the parents, the principal, the teachers, the friends – they all could have been my friends and neighbours. The incredible twists and intriguing plot left me very satisfied as I turned the last page. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
The stalking of Allison’s husband – trying to spot the “other woman” – was also taking its toll. Their son Felix had moved out to stay with his father, so Allison was alone at night and jittery with the noises which she’d never paid any attention to before. By inviting Luke and Gracie to stay in her house while he saved the money for a cancer trial in Chicago, she was helping them out. She adored Gracie and admired Luke. Running the fundraising for the expensive trip to America, Allison did her best to get everyone onboard. Allison just wanted to help give Gracie every chance to survive…
The Good Teacher is the second novel by Australian author Petronella McGovern and I loved it! A psychological thriller which ticked every box, with characters who would pass for everyday people; the gym coach, the parents, the principal, the teachers, the friends – they all could have been my friends and neighbours. The incredible twists and intriguing plot left me very satisfied as I turned the last page. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2020
Allison Walsh is the good teacher, valued by her school Wirriga Public school on Sydney's northern beaches where she teaches a kindergarten class. This year she has a special student enrolled in her class who will need some extra care and attention. Gracie Branson not only recently lost her mother and home in a bushfire but is also undergoing chemotherapy for a rare cancer. Her father, Luke has moved from Victoria so Gracie can receive treatment at a Sydney children's hospital and has chose Wirriga with its quiet and close community as ideal for a fresh start. Allison is struggling to come to terms with her recent sudden separation from her husband who can gone to live with another woman, but is immediately taken with the sweet little girl and her single father. When they struggle to find a place to rent in Wirriga, she offers them accommodation in her house and when Luke tells her Gracie's treatment is not working and her last chance is to enrol in a trial in the US, Allison throws herself into organising fundraising for the trip. Everyone in the small community gets behind raising the funds required including the school principal and teachers, the children and their parents, Allison's son Felix and his high school mates, Luke's boss and coworkers at the gym and his new girlfriend, Maz.
This is a novel about love, trust and deception. It starts off fairly slowly as Gracie and Luke find their place in the community, but then it takes a dramatic and unexpected turn and the pace really ramps up. Allison will really need to step up and overcome her own fears to save little Gracie. Overall, this is a well written suspense novel with well developed characters, a clever and original plot and a thrilling ending. 4.5★
With thanks to the publisher Allen & Unwin for an advanced copy of the book to read
This is a novel about love, trust and deception. It starts off fairly slowly as Gracie and Luke find their place in the community, but then it takes a dramatic and unexpected turn and the pace really ramps up. Allison will really need to step up and overcome her own fears to save little Gracie. Overall, this is a well written suspense novel with well developed characters, a clever and original plot and a thrilling ending. 4.5★
With thanks to the publisher Allen & Unwin for an advanced copy of the book to read
November 3, 2020
Well, that was unexpected! Talk about plot twist.. amazing.
The Good Teacher is Petronella McGoverns second book and now I really need to read her first. I read this over a weekend. It took a little to get into but once I did it was hard to put down. Another fantastic Aussie writer to add to the list.
Alison is a kindergarten teacher on Sydney’s Northern Beaches who loves her job and the kids. Her new year started off badly with her husband of 24 years walking out on her. She has taken to stalking his new home to get some answers to why. When a late enrolment joins her class she finds herself very attached and determined to help her. Gracie is battling cancer and grieving the recent loss of her mother. She takes her and her father Luke under her wing and helps fundraise to get Gracie to the US for cancer treatment.
That is all you are getting.. you really need to read this for yourself. Shocking and addictive.
The Good Teacher is Petronella McGoverns second book and now I really need to read her first. I read this over a weekend. It took a little to get into but once I did it was hard to put down. Another fantastic Aussie writer to add to the list.
Alison is a kindergarten teacher on Sydney’s Northern Beaches who loves her job and the kids. Her new year started off badly with her husband of 24 years walking out on her. She has taken to stalking his new home to get some answers to why. When a late enrolment joins her class she finds herself very attached and determined to help her. Gracie is battling cancer and grieving the recent loss of her mother. She takes her and her father Luke under her wing and helps fundraise to get Gracie to the US for cancer treatment.
That is all you are getting.. you really need to read this for yourself. Shocking and addictive.
September 21, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Petronella McGovern's latest offering (published 1 September 2020), The Good Teacher. This was an engrossing read with great character development and plenty of surprises.
49-year-old Allison Walsh is a dedicated and much-loved kindergarten teacher and a respected member of her community of Wirriga, in Sydney's northern beaches. Until recently, she'd also considered herself to be happily married to solicitor Tony, with whom she's approaching her silver (25th) anniversary, and attentive mum to teenager Felix. That was until Tony announced on New Year's Eve that he'd met someone else and wanted to leave their marriage. Since he's moved in with his new girlfriend, about whose identity he's curiously secretive, Felix has been unwilling to spend much time at home with Allison, preferring to live with his father, who's now within walking distance of the local surf beach. This has left Allison feeling understandably shell-shocked and isolated, as her comfortable life has been completely turned upside down. She's started covertly watching Tony's new home from her car, hoping to catch a glimpse of his new partner, but also risking falling foul of NSW's anti-stalking laws.
When a new student starts in Allison's kindergarten class, she finds an opportunity to distract herself from her own problems by becoming involved in theirs. Luke Branson is recently widowed and his four-year-old daughter Gracie is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for a rare form of cancer. Within weeks, Allison has invited them to move into her family home -thereby temporarily thwarting Tony's efforts to force her to sell - and is spearheading a local fundraising campaign to raise the funds needed to enable Gracie to undergo experimental immunotherapy treatment in the USA - treatment that could be her last hope to survive her illness.
It's difficult to further describe the plot without verging into spoiler territory, but this book fits well into the suspense-thriller genre.
The story unfolds from three main perspectives - Allison's, Luke's and that of Maz (Marilyn), a effervescent young instructor at the Wirriga gym where Luke's been offered casual employment. Occasional chapters are also told from the perspectives of Allison's estranged husband, Tony, and her son, Felix. The themes that emerge are of kindness, community, family, friendship, trust and betrayal. The characters who make up the cast of the book and their interrelationships are sensitively and enthrallingly developed. As a female reader in her 40's, I predictably identified most with the character of Allison and felt her desolation and sense of dislocation at the unexpected end of her marriage were handled masterfully by the author. Maz at first appears a somewhat ditsy and self-centred young woman in the well-worn millennial mould. However, in McGovern's hands, she is developed into a sympathetic and multi-dimensional character who is faced with some pretty tough life lessons over the course of the book.
The Good Teacher is a strong character-driven drama with a complex and intriguing plot and plenty of surprises for the reader. It's a cautionary tale for the modern age, which leaves an enduring message of the power and importance of kindness and human relationships.
Very highly recommended for readers who enjoy contemporary suspense and thriller literature, and also afficionados of quality women's literature in the vein of Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies and The Husband's Secret - Moriarty's readers will find the Northern Beaches setting of The Good Teacher familiar.
My thanks to the author and publisher, Allen & Unwin Australia, for the opportunity to read and review an uncorrected proof of this title in the lead-up to its publication.
49-year-old Allison Walsh is a dedicated and much-loved kindergarten teacher and a respected member of her community of Wirriga, in Sydney's northern beaches. Until recently, she'd also considered herself to be happily married to solicitor Tony, with whom she's approaching her silver (25th) anniversary, and attentive mum to teenager Felix. That was until Tony announced on New Year's Eve that he'd met someone else and wanted to leave their marriage. Since he's moved in with his new girlfriend, about whose identity he's curiously secretive, Felix has been unwilling to spend much time at home with Allison, preferring to live with his father, who's now within walking distance of the local surf beach. This has left Allison feeling understandably shell-shocked and isolated, as her comfortable life has been completely turned upside down. She's started covertly watching Tony's new home from her car, hoping to catch a glimpse of his new partner, but also risking falling foul of NSW's anti-stalking laws.
When a new student starts in Allison's kindergarten class, she finds an opportunity to distract herself from her own problems by becoming involved in theirs. Luke Branson is recently widowed and his four-year-old daughter Gracie is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for a rare form of cancer. Within weeks, Allison has invited them to move into her family home -thereby temporarily thwarting Tony's efforts to force her to sell - and is spearheading a local fundraising campaign to raise the funds needed to enable Gracie to undergo experimental immunotherapy treatment in the USA - treatment that could be her last hope to survive her illness.
It's difficult to further describe the plot without verging into spoiler territory, but this book fits well into the suspense-thriller genre.
The story unfolds from three main perspectives - Allison's, Luke's and that of Maz (Marilyn), a effervescent young instructor at the Wirriga gym where Luke's been offered casual employment. Occasional chapters are also told from the perspectives of Allison's estranged husband, Tony, and her son, Felix. The themes that emerge are of kindness, community, family, friendship, trust and betrayal. The characters who make up the cast of the book and their interrelationships are sensitively and enthrallingly developed. As a female reader in her 40's, I predictably identified most with the character of Allison and felt her desolation and sense of dislocation at the unexpected end of her marriage were handled masterfully by the author. Maz at first appears a somewhat ditsy and self-centred young woman in the well-worn millennial mould. However, in McGovern's hands, she is developed into a sympathetic and multi-dimensional character who is faced with some pretty tough life lessons over the course of the book.
The Good Teacher is a strong character-driven drama with a complex and intriguing plot and plenty of surprises for the reader. It's a cautionary tale for the modern age, which leaves an enduring message of the power and importance of kindness and human relationships.
Very highly recommended for readers who enjoy contemporary suspense and thriller literature, and also afficionados of quality women's literature in the vein of Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies and The Husband's Secret - Moriarty's readers will find the Northern Beaches setting of The Good Teacher familiar.
My thanks to the author and publisher, Allen & Unwin Australia, for the opportunity to read and review an uncorrected proof of this title in the lead-up to its publication.
February 23, 2021
⭐️5 Stars⭐️
The Good Teacher was unputdownable, fast paced and an intriguing read. It was a moving story of betrayal, deception, lies and kindness.
Allison’s husband has just abandoned her for another woman. She watches his house desperate to find out who the other woman is. Allison knows the stalking has got out of hand and she has to stop before she ends up being arrested.
A sick little girl named Gracie has just enrolled at Allison’s kindergarten class, she is grieving her dead mother and is in the care of her father Luke. This is a bad time for Allison to have to deal with the emotions of her broken marriage and a new sick pupil that will require extra attention.
Because Allison is kind-hearted, as time passes she invites Luke and Gracie to come live with her, the house is too big for her alone and it will help Luke out financially.
When Gracie needs to go to America for life-saving medical treatment, Allison gets motivated to start a fundraising drive and the town community get onboard.
Petronella McGovern is an author to watch out for! This was totally enjoyable with an unpredictable storyline that kept me hooked to the very end.
I wish to thank Allen & Unwin for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review
The Good Teacher was unputdownable, fast paced and an intriguing read. It was a moving story of betrayal, deception, lies and kindness.
Allison’s husband has just abandoned her for another woman. She watches his house desperate to find out who the other woman is. Allison knows the stalking has got out of hand and she has to stop before she ends up being arrested.
A sick little girl named Gracie has just enrolled at Allison’s kindergarten class, she is grieving her dead mother and is in the care of her father Luke. This is a bad time for Allison to have to deal with the emotions of her broken marriage and a new sick pupil that will require extra attention.
Because Allison is kind-hearted, as time passes she invites Luke and Gracie to come live with her, the house is too big for her alone and it will help Luke out financially.
When Gracie needs to go to America for life-saving medical treatment, Allison gets motivated to start a fundraising drive and the town community get onboard.
Petronella McGovern is an author to watch out for! This was totally enjoyable with an unpredictable storyline that kept me hooked to the very end.
I wish to thank Allen & Unwin for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review
September 11, 2020
Petronella McGovern has delivered again in her second offering in the domestic fiction genre.
Allison Walsh is The Good Teacher always going above and beyond for her students and their families, but now her husband has left her, and her 15 year old son Felix with him, for another woman and she is reduced to stalking his house to get a glimpse of the woman who stole her family.
It's a new school year and Luke and his 5 year old daughter Gracie have moved to Sydney to be treated at the children's hospital for Gracie's rare form of cancer. Allison invites Luke and Gracie to stay with her while they save for a life saving trip to America. Allison's invitation isn't wholly selfless as she pours all her energy into raising money for Gracie's trip is she using Luke and Gracie to replace the family she lost?
McGovern has highlighted the wonderful giving nature of people who will go out of their way to help others. Luke and Gracie are welcomed into the community with open arms.
Told in multiple points of view, each character has their own agenda around helping Gracie.
I like the short chapters on Felix's point of view and how the themes of Felix's school text, Othello, tie into events happening in his real life.
As with McGovern's previous novel, there is so much happening and it's all pertinent so I can't say too much without spoilers. There are plenty of red herrings and twists along the way. The Good Teacher induced a roller coaster of emotions; empathy, pride, sorrow, anger, satisfaction and joy.
Following on from her success with Six Minutes Petronella McGovern has now, with her release of The Good Teacher placed herself firmly as the Queen of Australian domestic fiction.
*I received a copy from the publisher
Allison Walsh is The Good Teacher always going above and beyond for her students and their families, but now her husband has left her, and her 15 year old son Felix with him, for another woman and she is reduced to stalking his house to get a glimpse of the woman who stole her family.
It's a new school year and Luke and his 5 year old daughter Gracie have moved to Sydney to be treated at the children's hospital for Gracie's rare form of cancer. Allison invites Luke and Gracie to stay with her while they save for a life saving trip to America. Allison's invitation isn't wholly selfless as she pours all her energy into raising money for Gracie's trip is she using Luke and Gracie to replace the family she lost?
"Allison had realised that family didn't have to be narrowed down to Tony and Felix, it could be expanded to include whomever she wanted."
McGovern has highlighted the wonderful giving nature of people who will go out of their way to help others. Luke and Gracie are welcomed into the community with open arms.
Told in multiple points of view, each character has their own agenda around helping Gracie.
I like the short chapters on Felix's point of view and how the themes of Felix's school text, Othello, tie into events happening in his real life.
As with McGovern's previous novel, there is so much happening and it's all pertinent so I can't say too much without spoilers. There are plenty of red herrings and twists along the way. The Good Teacher induced a roller coaster of emotions; empathy, pride, sorrow, anger, satisfaction and joy.
Following on from her success with Six Minutes Petronella McGovern has now, with her release of The Good Teacher placed herself firmly as the Queen of Australian domestic fiction.
*I received a copy from the publisher
February 18, 2021
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**3.5 stars**
The Good Teacher by Petronella McGovern. (2020).
Every evening, Allison watches her husband's new house, desperate to find answers. Every morning, she puts on a brave face to teach kindergarten. She's a good teacher, everyone says so - this stalking is just a tiny crack in her usual self-control. A late enrolment into her class brings sick little Gracie who Allison takes under her wing and smothers her with love she can't give her own son. When Gracie has a chance to go to America for treatment, Allison whips up the community into fundraising. But as others start to question her judgement and then the police arrive at her door, Allison wonders if she can trust herself. Has she crossed a line? How far will she go to change a life? And whose life will that be?
After loving the author's previous novel (Six Minutes), I was really looking forward to this one. I don't think this one was as good but it is still a fairly enjoyable read. It took me a while to warm to Allison to be honest. I felt for her in relation to her husband leaving her out of the blue after twenty plus years, but stalking him was a bit much. What really got me was one scene near the beginning where she literally compared her husband leaving her to someone's wife dying...come on now, that's nowhere near the same Allison! However she definitely had a kind heart and good intentions and that shone through despite her at times dubious actions. As far as the storyline, it starts a bit slowly and then speeds up after Gracie leaves for treatment, leading to a huge shock for majority of the characters.
Overall: I think a lot of readers would enjoy this contemporary domestic drama/thriller, particularly if you like a few twists in an intriguing storyline.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
**3.5 stars**
The Good Teacher by Petronella McGovern. (2020).
Every evening, Allison watches her husband's new house, desperate to find answers. Every morning, she puts on a brave face to teach kindergarten. She's a good teacher, everyone says so - this stalking is just a tiny crack in her usual self-control. A late enrolment into her class brings sick little Gracie who Allison takes under her wing and smothers her with love she can't give her own son. When Gracie has a chance to go to America for treatment, Allison whips up the community into fundraising. But as others start to question her judgement and then the police arrive at her door, Allison wonders if she can trust herself. Has she crossed a line? How far will she go to change a life? And whose life will that be?
After loving the author's previous novel (Six Minutes), I was really looking forward to this one. I don't think this one was as good but it is still a fairly enjoyable read. It took me a while to warm to Allison to be honest. I felt for her in relation to her husband leaving her out of the blue after twenty plus years, but stalking him was a bit much. What really got me was one scene near the beginning where she literally compared her husband leaving her to someone's wife dying...come on now, that's nowhere near the same Allison! However she definitely had a kind heart and good intentions and that shone through despite her at times dubious actions. As far as the storyline, it starts a bit slowly and then speeds up after Gracie leaves for treatment, leading to a huge shock for majority of the characters.
Overall: I think a lot of readers would enjoy this contemporary domestic drama/thriller, particularly if you like a few twists in an intriguing storyline.
October 12, 2020
The Good Teacher is the second novel by Australian author, Petronella McGovern. Allison Walsh loves her job at Wirriga Public School in Sydney’s Northern Beaches but, since the New Year, is distracted by the upheaval in her personal life. Her husband’s abrupt departure with their teenaged son, Felix in tow, to another woman’s arms, has turned her into a stalker, trying to find out just who her rival is. She’s clearly in denial about the end of her marriage.
Recently-widowed during the Victorian bushfires, Luke Branson and his four-year-old daughter, Gracie are new to Wirriga. They have come under tragic circumstances: Gracie needs specialist treatment for a rare cancer. Gracie is in Mrs Walsh’s class, and the teacher has promised to give the little girl the best of care. Luke still has to find a satisfactory place for them to live: the holiday flat is quite the wrong environment for a susceptible little girl.
Maz is a fitness instructor at Wirriga Wellness Centre, and happily welcomes Luke to the team. She’s ambitious, with grand plans for her own health and fitness regime that will be augmented by a range of supplements her friend in Thailand sends over. She’s savvy about websites and self-promotion, but perhaps less knowledgeable about the products she’s touting.
Felix Walsh is a fairly typical seventeen-year-old boy: obsessed with football and surfing, bored with school, and just discovering girls. He’s caught in the conflict between his estranged parents and not liking it one bit.
Allison quickly finds herself invested in Gracie’s future, and decides that inviting Luke and Gracie to share her house will kill three birds with one stone: it will prevent Tony from selling the house out from under her; it will stop her feeling alone and afraid; and it will provide a clean, safe and loving environment for Gracie and Luke. The Walshes have always been generous hosts, but is Allison overstepping?
When the possibility of a radical new, potentially life-saving, therapy for Gracie emerges, Allison throws herself wholeheartedly into a fundraising campaign to ensure Luke and Gracie make their deadline for the drug trial in Chicago. The whole town of Wirriga joins in to show what a community can achieve.
With a narrative from four perspectives, McGovern’s second novel is definitely starts at a slow burn, but the reader’s patience is amply rewarded with a cleverly plotted tale, one that initially keeps the reader guessing, and later, enthralled, as the story races to an exciting climax.
McGovern easily evokes her setting and her characters are very believable for all their flaws and foibles. Without including spoilers, it is safe to say that this is a cautionary tale warning us that not everything we see or read will be what it seems, nor is everyone we meet, in real life or online, quite who or what they say they are. Brilliant Australian contemporary fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen and Unwin.
Recently-widowed during the Victorian bushfires, Luke Branson and his four-year-old daughter, Gracie are new to Wirriga. They have come under tragic circumstances: Gracie needs specialist treatment for a rare cancer. Gracie is in Mrs Walsh’s class, and the teacher has promised to give the little girl the best of care. Luke still has to find a satisfactory place for them to live: the holiday flat is quite the wrong environment for a susceptible little girl.
Maz is a fitness instructor at Wirriga Wellness Centre, and happily welcomes Luke to the team. She’s ambitious, with grand plans for her own health and fitness regime that will be augmented by a range of supplements her friend in Thailand sends over. She’s savvy about websites and self-promotion, but perhaps less knowledgeable about the products she’s touting.
Felix Walsh is a fairly typical seventeen-year-old boy: obsessed with football and surfing, bored with school, and just discovering girls. He’s caught in the conflict between his estranged parents and not liking it one bit.
Allison quickly finds herself invested in Gracie’s future, and decides that inviting Luke and Gracie to share her house will kill three birds with one stone: it will prevent Tony from selling the house out from under her; it will stop her feeling alone and afraid; and it will provide a clean, safe and loving environment for Gracie and Luke. The Walshes have always been generous hosts, but is Allison overstepping?
When the possibility of a radical new, potentially life-saving, therapy for Gracie emerges, Allison throws herself wholeheartedly into a fundraising campaign to ensure Luke and Gracie make their deadline for the drug trial in Chicago. The whole town of Wirriga joins in to show what a community can achieve.
With a narrative from four perspectives, McGovern’s second novel is definitely starts at a slow burn, but the reader’s patience is amply rewarded with a cleverly plotted tale, one that initially keeps the reader guessing, and later, enthralled, as the story races to an exciting climax.
McGovern easily evokes her setting and her characters are very believable for all their flaws and foibles. Without including spoilers, it is safe to say that this is a cautionary tale warning us that not everything we see or read will be what it seems, nor is everyone we meet, in real life or online, quite who or what they say they are. Brilliant Australian contemporary fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen and Unwin.
October 15, 2020
The Good Teacher is the second novel by Australian author, Petronella McGovern. The audio version is read by Anna Skellern. Allison Walsh loves her job at Wirriga Public School in Sydney’s Northern Beaches but, since the New Year, is distracted by the upheaval in her personal life. Her husband’s abrupt departure with their teenaged son, Felix in tow, to another woman’s arms, has turned her into a stalker, trying to find out just who her rival is. She’s clearly in denial about the end of her marriage.
Recently-widowed during the Victorian bushfires, Luke Branson and his four-year-old daughter, Gracie are new to Wirriga. They have come under tragic circumstances: Gracie needs specialist treatment for a rare cancer. Gracie is in Mrs Walsh’s class, and the teacher has promised to give the little girl the best of care. Luke still has to find a satisfactory place for them to live: the holiday flat is quite the wrong environment for a susceptible little girl.
Maz is a fitness instructor at Wirriga Wellness Centre, and happily welcomes Luke to the team. She’s ambitious, with grand plans for her own health and fitness regime that will be augmented by a range of supplements her friend in Thailand sends over. She’s savvy about websites and self-promotion, but perhaps less knowledgeable about the products she’s touting.
Felix Walsh is a fairly typical seventeen-year-old boy: obsessed with football and surfing, bored with school, and just discovering girls. He’s caught in the conflict between his estranged parents and not liking it one bit.
Allison quickly finds herself invested in Gracie’s future, and decides that inviting Luke and Gracie to share her house will kill three birds with one stone: it will prevent Tony from selling the house out from under her; it will stop her feeling alone and afraid; and it will provide a clean, safe and loving environment for Gracie and Luke. The Walshes have always been generous hosts, but is Allison overstepping?
When the possibility of a radical new, potentially life-saving, therapy for Gracie emerges, Allison throws herself wholeheartedly into a fundraising campaign to ensure Luke and Gracie make their deadline for the drug trial in Chicago. The whole town of Wirriga joins in to show what a community can achieve.
With a narrative from four perspectives, McGovern’s second novel is definitely starts at a slow burn, but the reader’s patience is amply rewarded with a cleverly plotted tale, one that initially keeps the reader guessing, and later, enthralled, as the story races to an exciting climax.
McGovern easily evokes her setting and her characters are very believable for all their flaws and foibles. Without including spoilers, it is safe to say that this is a cautionary tale warning us that not everything we see or read will be what it seems, nor is everyone we meet, in real life or online, quite who or what they say they are. Brilliant Australian contemporary fiction.
Recently-widowed during the Victorian bushfires, Luke Branson and his four-year-old daughter, Gracie are new to Wirriga. They have come under tragic circumstances: Gracie needs specialist treatment for a rare cancer. Gracie is in Mrs Walsh’s class, and the teacher has promised to give the little girl the best of care. Luke still has to find a satisfactory place for them to live: the holiday flat is quite the wrong environment for a susceptible little girl.
Maz is a fitness instructor at Wirriga Wellness Centre, and happily welcomes Luke to the team. She’s ambitious, with grand plans for her own health and fitness regime that will be augmented by a range of supplements her friend in Thailand sends over. She’s savvy about websites and self-promotion, but perhaps less knowledgeable about the products she’s touting.
Felix Walsh is a fairly typical seventeen-year-old boy: obsessed with football and surfing, bored with school, and just discovering girls. He’s caught in the conflict between his estranged parents and not liking it one bit.
Allison quickly finds herself invested in Gracie’s future, and decides that inviting Luke and Gracie to share her house will kill three birds with one stone: it will prevent Tony from selling the house out from under her; it will stop her feeling alone and afraid; and it will provide a clean, safe and loving environment for Gracie and Luke. The Walshes have always been generous hosts, but is Allison overstepping?
When the possibility of a radical new, potentially life-saving, therapy for Gracie emerges, Allison throws herself wholeheartedly into a fundraising campaign to ensure Luke and Gracie make their deadline for the drug trial in Chicago. The whole town of Wirriga joins in to show what a community can achieve.
With a narrative from four perspectives, McGovern’s second novel is definitely starts at a slow burn, but the reader’s patience is amply rewarded with a cleverly plotted tale, one that initially keeps the reader guessing, and later, enthralled, as the story races to an exciting climax.
McGovern easily evokes her setting and her characters are very believable for all their flaws and foibles. Without including spoilers, it is safe to say that this is a cautionary tale warning us that not everything we see or read will be what it seems, nor is everyone we meet, in real life or online, quite who or what they say they are. Brilliant Australian contemporary fiction.
September 24, 2020
My Thoughts
Allison is newly seperated and living alone, she has the marital house for the time being. Felix, their son, lives with his Dad, Tony. Both parents have agreed on shared care. Allison has an obsession, she spies on her ex hubby, Tony, trying to find out who replaced her. Both Felix and Tony are keeping quiet and not saying a word. Allison befriends Luke, her mind also flip flops to Tony.
.
Luke has just shifted into a new neighbourhood. Widowed with a 4 year old daughter called Gracie, who has just started chemotherapy. Allison is the teacher at the school Gracie has enrolled at. Gracie needs a new treatment which can only be offered in Chicago, America, which Luke can't afford and a suggestion of charitable fund raising has not only Allison helping, but the whole community.
.
.
I really enjoyed this book so much, that I read more than I normally do just to find out what was happening. So many twists and turns and turns and turns, that I felt I was lead through a rabbit hole. This book reminded me of ailments of John Buchans, The Thirty-Nine Steps, with a chase-on-chase attitude.
I was eager to know how this fund raising was going to happen, it's alot of money to find and to what cost. Will Gracie get to Chicago? Will Luke like the idea of Allison meddling? Will Luke feel he is in debt to Allison for helping out so much? And we can't forget Tony and his mystery woman that hasn't got a name. Does Allison eventually find out who she is ... and what happends when she does?
.
Rating this ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 stars
.
Recommendation - now published
The Good Teacher by Petronella McGovern
Paperback - 422 pages - ISBN 978 1 76087 529 9
A$29.99 NZ$32.99
Genre - Fiction - Action and adventure - mystery
I want to say thank Allen & Unwin (NZ), for gifting me a copy of this book, an ARC copy, as a giveaway off Instagram.
.
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Allison is newly seperated and living alone, she has the marital house for the time being. Felix, their son, lives with his Dad, Tony. Both parents have agreed on shared care. Allison has an obsession, she spies on her ex hubby, Tony, trying to find out who replaced her. Both Felix and Tony are keeping quiet and not saying a word. Allison befriends Luke, her mind also flip flops to Tony.
.
Luke has just shifted into a new neighbourhood. Widowed with a 4 year old daughter called Gracie, who has just started chemotherapy. Allison is the teacher at the school Gracie has enrolled at. Gracie needs a new treatment which can only be offered in Chicago, America, which Luke can't afford and a suggestion of charitable fund raising has not only Allison helping, but the whole community.
.
.
I really enjoyed this book so much, that I read more than I normally do just to find out what was happening. So many twists and turns and turns and turns, that I felt I was lead through a rabbit hole. This book reminded me of ailments of John Buchans, The Thirty-Nine Steps, with a chase-on-chase attitude.
I was eager to know how this fund raising was going to happen, it's alot of money to find and to what cost. Will Gracie get to Chicago? Will Luke like the idea of Allison meddling? Will Luke feel he is in debt to Allison for helping out so much? And we can't forget Tony and his mystery woman that hasn't got a name. Does Allison eventually find out who she is ... and what happends when she does?
.
Rating this ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 stars
.
Recommendation - now published
The Good Teacher by Petronella McGovern
Paperback - 422 pages - ISBN 978 1 76087 529 9
A$29.99 NZ$32.99
Genre - Fiction - Action and adventure - mystery
I want to say thank Allen & Unwin (NZ), for gifting me a copy of this book, an ARC copy, as a giveaway off Instagram.
.
Podcast Review
https://anchor.fm/pauline-reidbookrev...
You Tube Review
https://youtu.be/N1BfeunieRs
Follow/Contact me on
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6...
Blog https://paulinereidbookreviewer.wordp...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/paulinereidb...
Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/paulinerei...
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Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/2cbi4as...
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February 12, 2024
A kindergarten teacher whose personal life has just been turned upside down welcomes a new student who will present unique challenges to her and her class. The Good Teacher by Petronella McGovern combines a feel-good community triumph story with betrayal and confusion in this sharply paced drama.
When little Gracie Branson arrives in Allison Walsh’s kindergarten class she immediately creates an impact. Gracie is suffering a rare form of cancer and regularly visits the hospital for treatments and chemotherapy. Allison, struggling with a recent marriage break-up, at first dreads the prospect of the added in-class pressure this will cause but soon realises how much she needs someone like Gracie, and her father Luke, in her life.
The tragic circumstances of Luke and Gracie’s life to this point is exacerbated by the fact they can’t find a place to live that’s close to the school. Allison is trying to adjust to living alone in a home that, until only a few weeks ago, also included her husband and Felix, her 16 year old son. To help Luke out with the cost of accommodation, and also to spoil the plans of her now ex-husband who wants to sell the family home, Allison invites them to move in until something comes along.
It turns out that the treatment Gracie is receiving in Australia just isn’t working and she needs the more advanced treatment that’s only available in the US. The costs are prohibitive and there’s no way Luke can afford it. He explains this to Allison and, upon hearing about it, she promises to help run a fundraising campaign that will enable Luke and Gracie to make the trip so that she might have the life saving treatment.
Also willing to help Luke and Gracie is Maz who works at the local gym with Luke. She’s brimming with unbridled enthusiasm and is always ready with an affirming phrase to help motivate and innervate. Her new side hustle, selling natural therapy pills, provides her with a chance to contribute in a more meaningful way. Hers is a shining light of upbeat buzzing and it also manages to bring her closer to Luke, romantically.
The Good Teacher is a strong character driven drama that demonstrates the power of a community who pulls together to achieve a truly inspirational fundraising effort. From the fellow teachers at the local school to the trainers at the gym, we’re given multiple viewpoints describing how different people go about doing their bit to help Gracie.
The plot builds nicely with several subplots hinting at dramas within the families of the main characters. Most notably is Allison and her failed marriage and her response that essentially amounts to stalking her husband and son, unprepared to say goodbye to the marriage of 25 years.
But there’s also a plot twist that seismically changes the tone of the book midway along and had me reassessing everything I had read to that point. It’s one of those situations where you realise that every assumption you’ve made to that point was fatally flawed.
With plenty of surprises and a rollercoaster of emotion packed in, I found it very easy to become completely immersed in the story. Each character was clearly evoked and enabled me to form a definite opinion of them quite quickly, good or bad. This also meant that I felt as if I had a piece of Gracie’s welfare at stake too.
This was a winner for me.
When little Gracie Branson arrives in Allison Walsh’s kindergarten class she immediately creates an impact. Gracie is suffering a rare form of cancer and regularly visits the hospital for treatments and chemotherapy. Allison, struggling with a recent marriage break-up, at first dreads the prospect of the added in-class pressure this will cause but soon realises how much she needs someone like Gracie, and her father Luke, in her life.
The tragic circumstances of Luke and Gracie’s life to this point is exacerbated by the fact they can’t find a place to live that’s close to the school. Allison is trying to adjust to living alone in a home that, until only a few weeks ago, also included her husband and Felix, her 16 year old son. To help Luke out with the cost of accommodation, and also to spoil the plans of her now ex-husband who wants to sell the family home, Allison invites them to move in until something comes along.
It turns out that the treatment Gracie is receiving in Australia just isn’t working and she needs the more advanced treatment that’s only available in the US. The costs are prohibitive and there’s no way Luke can afford it. He explains this to Allison and, upon hearing about it, she promises to help run a fundraising campaign that will enable Luke and Gracie to make the trip so that she might have the life saving treatment.
Also willing to help Luke and Gracie is Maz who works at the local gym with Luke. She’s brimming with unbridled enthusiasm and is always ready with an affirming phrase to help motivate and innervate. Her new side hustle, selling natural therapy pills, provides her with a chance to contribute in a more meaningful way. Hers is a shining light of upbeat buzzing and it also manages to bring her closer to Luke, romantically.
The Good Teacher is a strong character driven drama that demonstrates the power of a community who pulls together to achieve a truly inspirational fundraising effort. From the fellow teachers at the local school to the trainers at the gym, we’re given multiple viewpoints describing how different people go about doing their bit to help Gracie.
The plot builds nicely with several subplots hinting at dramas within the families of the main characters. Most notably is Allison and her failed marriage and her response that essentially amounts to stalking her husband and son, unprepared to say goodbye to the marriage of 25 years.
But there’s also a plot twist that seismically changes the tone of the book midway along and had me reassessing everything I had read to that point. It’s one of those situations where you realise that every assumption you’ve made to that point was fatally flawed.
With plenty of surprises and a rollercoaster of emotion packed in, I found it very easy to become completely immersed in the story. Each character was clearly evoked and enabled me to form a definite opinion of them quite quickly, good or bad. This also meant that I felt as if I had a piece of Gracie’s welfare at stake too.
This was a winner for me.
January 29, 2021
The latest and second of Petronella McGovern's books, which once again is a pleasurable read. A kindergarten teacher prepares for the new term, having had her husband leave her on New Year's Day without warning. Into this emotional flux comes a late enrolment to her class, with Gracie a young girl with major health issues. So the emotional roller coaster begins with a range of great characters and building tensions, that combine into an exciting thriller. No second book blues here but another addition to aussie noir small town life. Deserved four-star rating.
October 20, 2020
This crime / thriller had some good elements, but I found it quite slow.
I didn't engage with the Good Teacher at all, which doesn't help.
I don't want to give anything away, but I did feel like she was very over the top in her actions and reactions. And in the end, this was quite detrimental.
I like that the story was wound up neatly.
I won't be rushing to buy the next book. And this is mainly a reflection on the certainty that there are a lot of books available and ones that I'll truly enjoy, and not a reflection that she did a bad job of this.
Guess it just wasn't my cup of tea, in the end.
I didn't engage with the Good Teacher at all, which doesn't help.
I don't want to give anything away, but I did feel like she was very over the top in her actions and reactions. And in the end, this was quite detrimental.
I like that the story was wound up neatly.
I won't be rushing to buy the next book. And this is mainly a reflection on the certainty that there are a lot of books available and ones that I'll truly enjoy, and not a reflection that she did a bad job of this.
Guess it just wasn't my cup of tea, in the end.
September 25, 2020
I literally could not put this book down !
Allison wash is a 49 year old primary school teacher who is currently going through a marriage break up. Gracie is a 4 year old starting at the same school Allision teaches at ,Gracie has a rare type of cancer & in order to distract herself from her own problems Allision does everything she can to help little Gracie .. but does she go too far?
This book kept me guessing right to the very end .
Allison wash is a 49 year old primary school teacher who is currently going through a marriage break up. Gracie is a 4 year old starting at the same school Allision teaches at ,Gracie has a rare type of cancer & in order to distract herself from her own problems Allision does everything she can to help little Gracie .. but does she go too far?
This book kept me guessing right to the very end .
February 24, 2021
‘Allison greeted every child by name as they came into the classroom.’
Life on Sydney’s northern beaches can have its challenges. Kindergarten teacher Allison Walsh is struggling. Her marriage has broken down, her son Felix has chosen to live with his father, and a new student needing additional care has just arrived. Five-year-old Gracie Branson has a rare form of cancer and is having chemotherapy. Poor Gracie: she lost both her home and her mother in a bushfire a few months earlier, and she and her father Luke are alone.
Allison is not dealing very well with being alone. She is obsessed with trying to find out who her husband is with, and she is uncomfortable with the emptiness of her home. So, when the opportunity arises, she invites Gracie and Luke to stay with her. She wants to help Gracie, and there is a possibility that a cancer treatment trial in Chicago could help. Allison knows that the trip will be expensive and offers to help Luke raise the funds required. Soon the entire town
And, on these foundations, Ms McGovern builds a tense, tight psychological thriller. There are a few twists, some of which took me by surprise and all of which had me wanting to know how it would end. This is Ms McGovern’s second novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Life on Sydney’s northern beaches can have its challenges. Kindergarten teacher Allison Walsh is struggling. Her marriage has broken down, her son Felix has chosen to live with his father, and a new student needing additional care has just arrived. Five-year-old Gracie Branson has a rare form of cancer and is having chemotherapy. Poor Gracie: she lost both her home and her mother in a bushfire a few months earlier, and she and her father Luke are alone.
Allison is not dealing very well with being alone. She is obsessed with trying to find out who her husband is with, and she is uncomfortable with the emptiness of her home. So, when the opportunity arises, she invites Gracie and Luke to stay with her. She wants to help Gracie, and there is a possibility that a cancer treatment trial in Chicago could help. Allison knows that the trip will be expensive and offers to help Luke raise the funds required. Soon the entire town
And, on these foundations, Ms McGovern builds a tense, tight psychological thriller. There are a few twists, some of which took me by surprise and all of which had me wanting to know how it would end. This is Ms McGovern’s second novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
October 26, 2020
A twisty-turny, topsy-turvy domestic noir that will keep you guessing! Like a pause at the top of a breath, The Good Teacher was the perfect novel to read in-between some heavier reading (and writing) that have kept me busy.
That's not to say that it's a 'light' read...it's absolutely not. It covers childhood illness, divorce, betrayal and...well...I better not give anything away. But its pace, over-arching mystery and the threat of danger meant it was the perfect distraction from the worries of daily life.
I have to admit, I bought this because Sally Hepworth gave it such a good review on her Insta account...plus the cover and title sucked me in. I wasn't disappointed. If you find yourself curious like me, give it a go. It definitely lives up to the hype.
Australia has some incredible writers and Petronella McGovern has shown with this second novel that she's a name to watch. Can't wait to see what she does next!
Can your favourite author draw??
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That's not to say that it's a 'light' read...it's absolutely not. It covers childhood illness, divorce, betrayal and...well...I better not give anything away. But its pace, over-arching mystery and the threat of danger meant it was the perfect distraction from the worries of daily life.
I have to admit, I bought this because Sally Hepworth gave it such a good review on her Insta account...plus the cover and title sucked me in. I wasn't disappointed. If you find yourself curious like me, give it a go. It definitely lives up to the hype.
Australia has some incredible writers and Petronella McGovern has shown with this second novel that she's a name to watch. Can't wait to see what she does next!
Can your favourite author draw??
Watch more LIVE bestselling author interviews and win free books!
In this fun interview series, bestselling novelists reveal the secrets behind their beloved stories…all whilst playing a round of Pictionary with a live audience…YOU!
Subscribe now to ensure you don’t miss an episode!
September 15, 2020
I very much enjoyed Petronella McGovern's Six Minutes when it was published in 2019. It's currently up for Ned Kelly and Davitt Awards, which are well deserved. And timely... as McGovern's second book, The Good Teacher has recently been released.
I'd misunderstood this book to be about a well-meaning teacher erroneously accused of something horrendous and having to fight to clear their name... which felt like it'd been done before. But this book is not 'that' and includes a range of weighty but deftly-delivered themes.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
I'd misunderstood this book to be about a well-meaning teacher erroneously accused of something horrendous and having to fight to clear their name... which felt like it'd been done before. But this book is not 'that' and includes a range of weighty but deftly-delivered themes.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
December 12, 2020
This is my type of thriller!!! A community based story that for me was full of kindness and normal people!! I loved it!! The writing was so good, you completely were at the seaside suburb with Allison and Maz. I can’t even describe how on the edge of my seat I was. There were so many red herrings!! I could not put it down!!
August 11, 2020
The Good Teacher is a absorbing read with a cast of interesting characters and an intricate plot that kept me guessing until the very end. Thanks to Allen and Unwin for forwarding me an advanced copy of The Good Teacher.
September 24, 2020
I galloped through this book and was sorely tempted to read ahead. I'm glad I didn't. Another cracking yarn from Petronella McGovern - love the way she plants these little red-herrings that keep you guessing to the end.
December 6, 2020
Oh so disappointed .. I loved this author first book ( six minutes ) and gave it 5 stars but this book just seemed so far fetched and not as well developed
October 10, 2020
What a unputdownable and entertaining read that keeps you guessing all the way! A story filled with kindness but also so full of deception and lies!
When young Gracie is enrolled at Wirriga Public School by single dad Luke after moving to Sydney to treat Gracie's rare form of cancer at the children's hospital, Allison does not realise how much this will affect her life not just in the classroom but outside too!
Allison, the good teacher who has a heart full of kindness is trying to come to terms with her husband leaving her for another woman. Fund-raising to help with the cost of treatment in the US and offering Luke and Gracie free accommodation is the least she can do and it will keep her mind busy and her home full.
Will they be able to raise enough funds in time to get Gracie the treatment she needs?
This one starts out slowly, building character development but then ramps with an unexpected turn! This one will fill you with emotions aplenty and a satisfying ending that ties everything up neatly.
When young Gracie is enrolled at Wirriga Public School by single dad Luke after moving to Sydney to treat Gracie's rare form of cancer at the children's hospital, Allison does not realise how much this will affect her life not just in the classroom but outside too!
Allison, the good teacher who has a heart full of kindness is trying to come to terms with her husband leaving her for another woman. Fund-raising to help with the cost of treatment in the US and offering Luke and Gracie free accommodation is the least she can do and it will keep her mind busy and her home full.
Will they be able to raise enough funds in time to get Gracie the treatment she needs?
This one starts out slowly, building character development but then ramps with an unexpected turn! This one will fill you with emotions aplenty and a satisfying ending that ties everything up neatly.
December 21, 2020
The Good Teacher is an interesting story, but I feel it needs a little forewarning. If you pick it up, and aren't particularly enthralled through the first half, don't worry. Once you hit the halfway point, this book really takes off. It would have been a 5-star read, if not for the slow start and choppy character viewpoints. If you can trundle along through the first half of this book, it's 100% worth the read, you just need to be prepared for it. Another great entry to Australian fiction, and I'm looking forward to this author's next book.
April 26, 2021
Wow. Loved this!
Stayed up until 1am to finish, devoured in a day.
I can pick plot twists early in books (the joys of being a writer!) and this is the first book in a LONG time that totally surprised me. I did NOT see the twist coming!
Allison is a caring kindergarten teacher who takes new girl Gracie under her wing.
Focussing on helping Gracie get to the US for life-saving treatment helps Allison take her mind off her own problems, namely a marriage breakdown that came out of the blue.
As the plot unfolds, you'll be turning pages at a rapid rate!
Stayed up until 1am to finish, devoured in a day.
I can pick plot twists early in books (the joys of being a writer!) and this is the first book in a LONG time that totally surprised me. I did NOT see the twist coming!
Allison is a caring kindergarten teacher who takes new girl Gracie under her wing.
Focussing on helping Gracie get to the US for life-saving treatment helps Allison take her mind off her own problems, namely a marriage breakdown that came out of the blue.
As the plot unfolds, you'll be turning pages at a rapid rate!
April 2, 2022
The way that teachers are portrayed in texts always intrigues me. They are generally shown in one of two ways.
1. Old, cranky, so and sos that don't care about the students and are only there for the pay/holidays. OR
2. Someone who goes above and beyond their job description to ensure students are not only well educated but cared for in their personal lives as well.
This novel was the latter. But it definitely doesn't contribute to a positive representation of teachers! As the audience, we are meant to believe that what makes her a 'good' teacher is the fact that she goes 'above and beyond'. When, infact, her actions in most instances were not rational nor actually part of being a teacher. The main character was actually quite unstable. Asking a student and their father to move in with you, not really rational nor within the bounds of being a teacher. Flying overseas to find that father and child, again well outside the job description and not really plausible. Most teachers, myself included, are reluctant to 'leave' their class for a period of time (mostly due to the work load of still having to plan for the lessons when you're not at school). It was also 'strange' that she put this one student 'ahead' of all her other students. She didn't take leave for her divorce/separation but does to fly across the world to see the father of a student in her class. This is not only outside the job description, but seems somewhat unprofessional. Sure, we are meant to care for our students but this seems to be taking things too far. More obsessive. Not to mention, that she puts this child's wellbeing ahead of her own son's. The maybe plausible thing would be a teacher setting up and helping with fundraising. But still, once again outside the job description of being a teacher.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, where are the representations of teachers who 'just' do their job (and do it well) and then go home and have their own life? Can we stop putting this pressure on teachers to go above and beyond, purely just to be considered 'good'? 'Just' teaching is enough. It is alot of work already to plan, teach, mark, contact parents and all the other responsibilities of being a teacher without also being expected/pressured to go outside the bounds of your role.
The story itself was okay. But the teacher representation was a sticking point for me.
End rant.
1. Old, cranky, so and sos that don't care about the students and are only there for the pay/holidays. OR
2. Someone who goes above and beyond their job description to ensure students are not only well educated but cared for in their personal lives as well.
This novel was the latter. But it definitely doesn't contribute to a positive representation of teachers! As the audience, we are meant to believe that what makes her a 'good' teacher is the fact that she goes 'above and beyond'. When, infact, her actions in most instances were not rational nor actually part of being a teacher. The main character was actually quite unstable. Asking a student and their father to move in with you, not really rational nor within the bounds of being a teacher. Flying overseas to find that father and child, again well outside the job description and not really plausible. Most teachers, myself included, are reluctant to 'leave' their class for a period of time (mostly due to the work load of still having to plan for the lessons when you're not at school). It was also 'strange' that she put this one student 'ahead' of all her other students. She didn't take leave for her divorce/separation but does to fly across the world to see the father of a student in her class. This is not only outside the job description, but seems somewhat unprofessional. Sure, we are meant to care for our students but this seems to be taking things too far. More obsessive. Not to mention, that she puts this child's wellbeing ahead of her own son's. The maybe plausible thing would be a teacher setting up and helping with fundraising. But still, once again outside the job description of being a teacher.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, where are the representations of teachers who 'just' do their job (and do it well) and then go home and have their own life? Can we stop putting this pressure on teachers to go above and beyond, purely just to be considered 'good'? 'Just' teaching is enough. It is alot of work already to plan, teach, mark, contact parents and all the other responsibilities of being a teacher without also being expected/pressured to go outside the bounds of your role.
The story itself was okay. But the teacher representation was a sticking point for me.
End rant.
January 13, 2021
The Good Teacher is the first book in ages that kept me sitting up through the night because I absolutely had to finish it. I am reluctant to say much about the plot because I don't want to give anything away, but the story centres on Allison, a woman whose husband has just left her after many years of marriage, and her son has gone with him. She is feeling adrift and embarrassed about what she sees as her life failings when she meets a terminal child in her class, Gracie, and the handsome grieving father, Luke. Their tragic circumstances then become her new fix it project to take her mind off her own life. The story sets you up to be asking if Allison is losing the plot somewhat and becoming obsessive about her husband and his new lover, and saving Gracie, but then things go in a direction I never saw coming.
Read this book if you like cleverly plotted character mysteries. It's fab!
Read this book if you like cleverly plotted character mysteries. It's fab!
January 8, 2021
** 4 stars**
I really enjoyed this book, about halfway in I started ti suspect what was happening, but that didn't really spoil the story for me.
This is a slow- burn novel, it takes a while to build, but stick with it. I think it is worth it.
There are some problems I had with this book:
- It is sooo inappropriate for a teacher to take in a student and her family. As a teacher myself, I can see how over stepping that is! It is incredibly kind, but very inappropriate
- The way Allison's husband treated her after the separation was disgusting. I won't spoil what happens, but I felt genuinely sorry for her.
I am going to now go and read Petronella McGovern's other book rigjy now
I really enjoyed this book, about halfway in I started ti suspect what was happening, but that didn't really spoil the story for me.
This is a slow- burn novel, it takes a while to build, but stick with it. I think it is worth it.
There are some problems I had with this book:
- It is sooo inappropriate for a teacher to take in a student and her family. As a teacher myself, I can see how over stepping that is! It is incredibly kind, but very inappropriate
- The way Allison's husband treated her after the separation was disgusting. I won't spoil what happens, but I felt genuinely sorry for her.
I am going to now go and read Petronella McGovern's other book rigjy now
September 18, 2022
Well…
I don’t know how I finished this except a couple of people recommended it. For the first half I was like the blackboard in Mr Squiggle (hurry up, hurry up) and then the pace started to pick up - but some of the things that happened were just so ridiculous (eg being able to fly to the USA on a moments notice - no ESTA??) and then other things were so obvious.
There are much much better books out there…
I don’t know how I finished this except a couple of people recommended it. For the first half I was like the blackboard in Mr Squiggle (hurry up, hurry up) and then the pace started to pick up - but some of the things that happened were just so ridiculous (eg being able to fly to the USA on a moments notice - no ESTA??) and then other things were so obvious.
There are much much better books out there…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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