The Best Man: Richard Peck's Challenged Work

Richard Peck's novel 'The Best Man' has received some criticism from readers. One review on Goodreads.com highlights the book's stereotypical representation of a gay man as a great dresser. Another Goodreads.com review criticises the book for its inauthentic child dialogue and its lack of focus on the wedding and the role of the best man. However, the novel has received mostly positive reviews, with many praising its light-hearted and humorous tone, as well as its natural inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters.

The book's treatment of gay marriage

Richard Peck's 'The Best Man' is a novel about gay marriage from a child's perspective. The story is about Archer Magill, a sixth-grade boy whose uncle, Paul, marries another man—Archer's favourite student teacher. The novel recounts Archer's life through elementary school, including his friends, teachers, and family members.

The book has been praised for its treatment of gay marriage. Peck wanted to write a story about gay marriage that wasn't preachy, and reviewers agree that he succeeded. The book is described as a "story of the boy who is living his life, and who gets to witness (some of it) how a beloved family member falls in love with one of his teachers". The love story is described as adorable and age-appropriate.

The book has also been praised for its portrayal of a supportive family. Archer's family is "warm and loving and liberal and politically correct". They are accepting of Paul's relationship, and one reviewer notes that the book is "very chill about [the relationship]—just inserting it into the life, explaining it at a level that was easily understood by children".

The book has been described as "a reminder that no matter your gender or sexuality, love is love is love".

The role of role models

Archer's role models include his grandpa, an architect; his dad, a vintage car customizer; and his uncle Paul, who is just plain great. Along the way, he finds a fourth role model in Mr McLeod, the first male teacher in the history of his school. Archer's story is one of small-town life, gay marriage, and everyday heroes.

The novel has been praised for its treatment of the theme of role models and its handling of the topic of gay marriage. One reviewer notes that the book is "a story of the boy who is living his life, and who gets to witness (some of it) how a beloved family member falls in love with one of his teachers". Another reviewer writes that the book "covers it all: growing up, bullying, friendship, loyalty, family, grief, and love".

The importance of family

Family is an important theme in Richard Peck's 'The Best Man'. The protagonist, Archer Magill, has a supportive family, including his mother, father, grandparents, and his uncle Paul. Archer's family is warm, loving, liberal, and politically correct. They are accepting of Paul's homosexuality and his relationship with Mr McLeod, a teacher at Archer's school. Archer's family is also a source of role models for him, with his grandfather, father, and uncle being three of the best role models in his life.

The book begins and ends with weddings, with Archer serving as the best man at the wedding of his uncle Paul and Mr McLeod. The first wedding, which takes place when Archer is in the first grade, is a disaster, with Archer getting mud on his outfit and ripping it. However, at this wedding, Archer meets his best friend, Lynette Stanley, who remains his friend throughout the book.

Archer's family is also a source of humour in the book. For example, when Archer's mother tells him that he will be a ring bearer at the first wedding, he asks if he can wear his regular clothes, to which his mother replies, "Archer, honey, you don't have regular clothes".

Overall, the presence of a supportive family is an important aspect of 'The Best Man', and it helps to shape Archer's experiences and perspective throughout the novel.

The role of teachers

Teachers play a significant role in Richard Peck's "The Best Man". The novel's protagonist, Archer Magill, is on the lookout for role models, and he finds one in his fifth-grade teacher, Mr. McLeod. Mr. McLeod is the first male teacher in the history of the school, and he shakes things up with his innovative ideas and National Guard workout routines. He also publicly outs himself as gay to stand up against anti-gay bullying, which makes a significant impression on Archer.

Archer's other role models include his grandpa, an architect; his dad, a vintage car customizer; and his uncle Paul, who is gay and ends up marrying Mr. McLeod. Archer's uncle and teacher's relationship is portrayed in a positive light, normalising same-sex relationships for young readers.

The novel also mentions other teachers, some of whom are portrayed as heroic, while others are hapless or misguided. One teacher, Mrs. Stanley, is portrayed as incompetent when it comes to technology, needing the help of a student to figure out how to send an email or use a printer. Another teacher, Ms. Roebuck, is portrayed as overly focused on her pregnancy, teaching her pregnancy to her fourth-grade class.

Overall, the teachers in "The Best Man" play a variety of roles, from role models and heroes to sources of humour and frustration.

The role of friends

Friends play a significant role in Richard Peck's "The Best Man". Archer, the protagonist, meets Lynette Stanley, his best friend, at a wedding when they are both six years old. She remains his friend throughout the story, until the sixth grade. Archer describes her as bossy but supportive, as she takes the blame when they are muddied at the wedding.

Archer also befriends a posh British student, Hilary Evelyn Calthorpe, who uses a wheelchair and is 92nd in line to the throne. However, some readers found this character to be unnecessary and distracting from the otherwise natural-feeling tale.

Archer's friendship with Lynette is an important part of the story, as it is through her that Archer meets his uncle's future husband, Mr. McLeod, who is Lynette and Archer's teacher. Archer's friendship with Lynette, therefore, helps him to find another role model in Mr. McLeod, who stands up to bullies and comes out as gay.

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