I heard about Teach Me by R. A. Nelson and Something Happened on the same day. I was expecting them to be fairly similar books. However, the central topic of inappropriate student/teacher relations seemed to be the only common thread. They were drastically different. I just saw Mint910's comment on the Amazon reviews for Something Happened: "I feel with student/teacher relationships it can go probably one or two ways. #1: The teacher is a predator and their student is the innocent prey or #2: The student isn't completely innocent and encourages the teacher's behavior." This describes the distinction between the books well. Whereas, Billy in SH was pretty oblivious to Miss Gate's intentions, Nine in Teach Me is very aware of Mr. Mann's actions and can't wait for something to happen, so TM is more like Mint910's option #2. I was surprised because from the covers SH seemed to be more scandalous, but that first impression was far from the truth. While neither of the teachers actions can be condoned, Mr. Mann seemed to be more of a really bad judgement call and lack of control, while Miss Gate came off as having severe psychological problems.
Also the layout of the books are different. In SH I was constantly cringing wondering what Miss Tate's next disturbing move would be and hoping that Billy would not doubt the confusion he had about her actions and mention them to someone else. From the beginning of Teach Me, we know that Mr. Mann and Nine did have an intimate relationship but that Mr. Mann got married, so when Nine goes back to explain the events leading up to the present there is a foreboding that things do not go as she hopes and she is no longer the center of Mr. Mann's life. TM is as much about the after effects as it is about their relationship.
Teach Me was a good portrayal of how such a situation could happen and the devastating effects.
Oooh goodie. I still need to read Teach Me. And I'm glad you agreed with me about these kinds of books going one of two ways! I was kind of hoping Teach Me went #2 so I'm glad to hear it did!
ReplyDeleteI started a list of other books like this somewhere, the only other one I remember from it was Boy Toy.
Alea,
ReplyDeleteI didn't make the connection that you were Mint910 on Amazon. It is funny since I mentioned that you were the one who I first heard about the books from.
Hehe, yeah that's me! That's the screen name that I sometimes use!
ReplyDeleteThat is funny! I have Teach Me on a reading challenge for this year, I can't wait to read it and that's my way of being almost certain it will happen!