Dear Teacher is an atmospheric and mysterious novel that I found captivating from the start. Written in lyrical prose and based on a true story, Dear Teacher is an intimate exploration of self-discovery and a student-teacher bond. My only complaint is some things felt like they were lost in translation. I highly recommend Dear Teacher, the audio narration is superb.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarperAudioAdult for an ARC of the audiobook which releases tomorrow, 5/6/25.

#Dear Teacher by #MaddalenaVaglioTanet and narrated nicely by #NatalieNaudus.

Ok. This was weird. It starts weird, and never changes from there, but the gist of the story revolves around a little girl, Giovanna, whose life is falling apart. She gets beaten at home… just because…
Her Dad’s in a bad mood, she got a bad grade, the sky was blue… whatever…

So when she starts hanging out with some shady characters and misses school, her teacher is concerned. She thinks she knows what is going on at home, so she calls early in the day, hoping to speak with her Mom. And she does. But the Mom still threatens to tell the Dad. And then Giovanna threatens to kill herself.

It only goes downhill from here…

And the teacher, although I can understand where she’s coming from, well… she needs help!

Again, very, very strange, weird story for me.

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me.

Look for it on shelves tomorrow.


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The synopsis promised me depth and emotional power. I did not feel the story delivered.

Its bones certainly are fractured, so it should have hurt more than it did, but the storytelling had a very artificial and distant feel to it. The character dialogue felt especially synthetic. I realize this could have been an issue with the translation, but this is the story I was given, so I can only comment on my experience with the translated work.

I eventually became incredibly frustrated with the teacher. I understand the tremendous impact of guilt mingled with an unconquerable grief led to her actions, and I understand that the author built this story around her own relative’s actions, but I did begin to feel that the teacher was being incredibly selfish. Because the emotional depth was absent, the narrative didn’t offer me any insight that would truly help me feel for the teacher. I was simply upset that she allowed this to go on for so long, especially since (in this fictional version) she had some understanding of the distress she had caused.

I also expected the relationship between the teacher and the student that finds her to develop into something more meaningful; something that would touch my heart. It was just as plain and emotionally void as the rest of the story, though. It was also such a burden to put upon him and, while this was briefly addressed, it didn’t eradicate my view of the teacher’s selfishness.

Ultimately, this was a dry disappointment, and my eyes are dry, too.

I am immensely grateful to HarperAudio and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️ 2/5 Stars (Meh)
Setting: It alternates between a quiet, unnamed town and a dense, almost mythic forest—likely somewhere in Italy, given the book’s origins.
Genre: Literary Fiction

Disclaimer: This book is translated from Italian to English, and I feel the writer’s intended emotion to connect the reader to the story was lost in translation.



I really wanted to love Good Teacher—the premise is intriguing, and the setting is beautifully described—but unfortunately, it didn’t quite come together for me. The novel’s atmosphere is certainly haunting: a teacher vanishes into the forest, grappling with guilt and grief, while the town she leaves behind spins into speculation and quiet panic. However, despite the evocative backdrop, I struggled to feel connected to Silvia or any of the other characters.

Perhaps something was lost in translation, but the prose felt strangely detached, making it hard to invest emotionally in Silvia’s inner turmoil. The central mystery also fizzled for me; rather than deepening, it seemed to loop in circles, and I found myself waiting for a payoff that never really arrived. There are flashes of beauty in the writing, especially in its depiction of nature, but overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed. A thought-provoking concept that didn’t quite hit the mark. #netgalley #goodteacher #booked_this_weekend

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperAudio Adult, and Maddalena Vagilo Tanet for this Advanced Listening Copy. As a teacher, I think that this story hit really close to home in the tragic story of losing a student (Giovanna) because of bullying and an extreme adverse home life. Searching for meaning in the mundane, being grateful for her life "my teacher" talks of the conflicts and balance of loss of life and what it would be like to take a break from he rlife. The mystery and intrigue of what happened with Silvia as she reflects on her life. She is discovered by a new boy to the area Martino and helps the teacher and survive. The two share a unique bond and reflect on their own lives. I do recommend it to those that have high empathy, compassion, and are reflectors of their own lives, trauma, and how the events and things of our lives shape us.
Thank you again NetGalley, HarperAudio for this audiobook!

Dear Teacher is a compelling and heart-wrenching story that delves into the complexities of grief. The author’s descriptive writing—especially the vivid portrayals of nature—draws you in completely. It's a poignant journey through loss, guilt, and healing, beautifully rendered. This powerful debut has left a lasting impact, and I’m eager to see what the author shares with us next.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the chance to listen to this title in exchange for my opinion.