The Teacher
By Freida MacFadden
Narrated by Leslie Howard and Danny Montooth
THE WALKING BOOK CLUB SNEAKER RATINGS:
Motivation to Move: 3.5 Sneakers
Quality of Narration: 3.5 Sneakers
Overall Experience: 3 Sneakers
Total moving and listening time: 9 hours 20 minutes (6 hours 50 minutes at 1.4 speed)
Cliche But Entertaining
MacFadden’s The Teacher is predictable yet enjoyable, like a Sunday Lifetime movie.
When it comes to audiobooks, psychological thrillers are perfect for keeping you engaged and eager to unravel the mystery. I previously liked The Maid by MacFadden, so picking up The Teacher was an obvious choice.
The audiobook grips you from the start but veers into cliché territory soon after. It feels hastily put together, deliberately simplified, with a recycled plot that lacks the depth to inspire deeper reflection. While it does have some twists, it falls short of offering the complexity needed to earn more than three sneakers.
The narration of The Teacher is commendable, particularly Leslie Howard’s performance. Her ability to differentiate characters with her voice is a standout feature. However, Danny Montooth’s contribution feels forced and disconnected, only appearing in the final chapters. Speeding up the audiobook to 1.4x makes it a manageable six hours and fifty minutes long. Overall, the narration quality, led by Leslie Howard, warrants a three-and-a-half sneaker rating.
The Teacher is a solid choice if you’re in the mood for uncomplicated entertainment reminiscent of a Sunday Lifetime movie. It’s a book that can be enjoyed without deep analysis. However, for those craving more depth and complexity, it might only partially satisfy.
The Walking Book Club® rates the overall experience with three sneakers.
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