276 pages, Hardcover
First published February 9,2003
A truly super-intriguing yet super-disturbing account has emerged of the author's affair with her 17-year-old student. It is truly bizarre that she seemed not to see anything wrong with what she was doing. The details of this story are so fascinating that it keeps pulling you in, yet at the same time, it makes you feel extremely uncomfortable. It's like a strange mix of curiosity and disgust. Reading it made me want to take a shower or something just to wash away the unease. Ugh. The whole situation is just so inappropriate and raises so many ethical questions. How could she have engaged in such behavior with a minor? It's a story that will surely stay with you long after you've finished reading it.
I read this book a long time ago. At that time, I was really impressed by it and thought it was a very good book. However, for some reason, I just didn't write a review. I still remember clearly when this book was on the news. It happened in BC. The story in the book seemed so real and engaging that it really caught my attention. The author's writing style was also very unique, which made it easy for me to immerse myself in the story. Now, looking back, I really regret not writing a review earlier. Maybe if I had written a review, more people would have known about this wonderful book and been able to enjoy it as well.
Eh. I delved into this account with the anticipation of gaining some profound understanding regarding her decision and the underlying motives that led her to cross the line and engage in a sexual relationship with her student. She was dissatisfied in her long-term relationship with her boyfriend, and then chose to betray him by having an affair with someone who showered her with attention. She confesses that, in reality, she shared nothing in common with her student apart from a sexual allure. Moreover, she made certain choices that were even more dubious, ultimately causing her to lose nearly everything and everyone dear to her in life.
The entire reading left me with a sense of unease. In particular, her depictions of spending time at parties with her students, attempting to relive the teenage years she had missed, were rather disturbing. It makes one wonder about the consequences of such actions and the impact they have on the lives of those involved. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of making wise decisions and being accountable for our actions.