GLORIOUS FUN! What Was She Thinking received a highly deserving Man Booker Prize nomination in 2003.

This story goes far beyond the surface scandal of the teacher and the student, which merely serves as the backdrop.

Written in diary form, the storyteller, a friend of the teacher's, is recounting the events of the past months that lead up to the present-day ending.

The diary-writer is a fascinating character to untangle. You love her, you feel sympathy for her, yet at times, she makes you feel uneasy. Are her reactions to the events in the story typical and human? Or perhaps she is leaning a little bit towards being psychopathic? She's truly a unique character.

This book is filled with numerous spot-on observations about people and life, expressed so perfectly that you wonder why you never thought to describe them in that way yourself.

It was an absolute joy to read and extremely difficult to put down. The last sentence actually gave me shivers. I had no idea it was coming, and it was simply amazing!

Gosh, this book really creeped me out.

And it wasn't just the whole older woman/school boy aspect; it was Barbara, the narrator. She was creepy as all hell. Maybe it was because my copy had Judi Dench's cold-eyed stare on the cover, but from the very first page to the last, it was utterly unnerving.

What actually saved this book from being just a daytime made-for-TV movie was that it was told from Barbara's perspective and not that of the teacher who has an affair with a pupil. Barbara is this incredibly sinister, bitter, and manipulative woman. However, she is also viciously funny and makes for fabulous company. She's really a snippy old cow, but she's so tragically real. From her bleeding feet as she awkwardly breaks in new sandals to her ultimate betrayal and possessiveness. Her witty observations, her cold envy, and the repressed lesbian vibe...it's a Glenn-Close-Fatal-Attraction kind of brilliant.

It was truly fascinating to read about the teacher Sheba and what drove her to such behavior. What drives any of us to do the things that we do?

As it is written on page 203, "There are certain people in whom you can detect the seeds of madness - seeds that have remained dormant only because the people in question have lived relatively comfortable, middle class lives. They function perfectly well in the world, but you can imagine, given a nasty parent, or a prolonged bout of unemployment, how their potential for craziness might have been realized."

The story is beautifully written and delightfully gloomy.

Overrated, pretentious, and boring.

Yes, that's right, I said it and I'm firmly sticking to it. I truly have an extremely hard time comprehending the exuberant praise lavished upon this novel, coming from both critics and fans alike.

"Superbly gripping." - Daily Telegraph

"Deliciously sinister." - Daily Mail

"Brilliant, nasty, gripping." - Observer

Really? I can only assume that none of these people have ever perused anything by Stephen King.

I had a arduous time delving into this book, yet I persisted in giving it another chance, entertaining the thought that it might improve. Somehow, I managed to complete it, and in hindsight, I still remain befuddled as to why I bothered. The story takes an interminable amount of time to truly take flight, and even when it does, it still fails to properly ignite, instead sort of fizzling out.

Virtually, none of the characters in this novel are even remotely sympathetic. None of them possess even a modicum of any redeeming quality. At no juncture in the story did I give the slightest iota of concern about what befell any of them.

Barbara: Disturbed, manipulative, obsessive, and cruel.

Sheba: Hopeless, immature, naive, and ignorant.

Connolly: Selfish, stupid, horny teenager.

Richard: Pompous, shallow, and self-involved.

Polly: Don't even get me started.

It's not the story that's lackluster though, it's the manner in which it is recounted. Although Barbara's point of view is an interesting angle, especially since she's such an unreliable narrator, the style and pace at which the story is divulged demand an inordinate amount of patience. This narrative literally feels as if it's being told by an old lady. Picture a rainy Sunday afternoon where you're compelled to sit and listen to your grandmother regaling her life story for hours on end.

The aspect that bothered me the most, however, was the linguistic style of the author. The language employed was so outrageously pretentious that I could scarcely endure it at times. Listen to this sentence (page 13):

"He smiled at her magnanimously - the grandee allowing her into the little enclosure of his bonhomie."

WHO TALKS LIKE THIS?!?

I recall rolling my eyes so forcefully when I read this that it actually induced a headache.

It's not that I don't understand what I'm reading, it's that it feels so absurdly contrived and unnatural that it's laughable. And it persists ad nauseam. Ms. Heller inundates every single page with a veritable deluge of million-dollar words, even regularly tossing around French and German phrases without providing any proper context to elucidate their meaning. Remember, this entire book is related from a first-person point of view, so we have to believe that a perfectly ordinary woman from an ordinary part of London actually speaks like an ancient Greek philosopher all the time. It's exhausting to read and utterly unbelievable.

I don't recall ever encountering any such pretentious phrases in any of Jane Austen's novels. The thing is, in my estimation, if you're striving to sound more erudite than an author from 200 years ago... You're trying far too hard.

I could expound for another hour about the complete dearth of character development and my utter emotional disengagement from all of these individuals, but... Ugh.

Here's the deal. It's not that I don't fathom it. It's not that I'm impervious to all the subtle innuendos between the lines.

I grasped perfectly well that Barbara's malevolent character was molded by her utter loneliness. I also discerned quite promptly that she was probably a repressed lesbian. And yes, I recognized that it's actually the warped friendship between Barbara and Sheba that's truly the focal point of the story, rather than Sheba's affair with a 15-year-old.

But I just didn't care! This novel bored and wearied me. I am, however, planning to watch the film. I have a hunch that it will be a great deal more gratifying than its source material.

Edit: Well, I've watched the film, and aside from the outstanding performances by its leading ladies, it was just as insipid as the book. Oh well, time wasted, moving on...

This is not a poorly written book by any means. However, I found it extremely challenging to empathize with the characters.

When I pick up a book, I usually expect to walk away with something valuable. It could be more knowledge, a deeper understanding of a particular subject, the ability to empathize with the characters on a profound level, or simply a riotous good time that leaves me entertained and uplifted.

Regrettably, none of these things occurred while reading this book. Instead, I was left feeling empty and sad, and utterly baffled by the actions and decisions of the characters.

I could, to some extent, empathize with Barbara. But despite my best efforts to gain some sort of insight into Sheba's psyche and understand the motives behind her actions, I could only feel a sense of mystification.

The combination of maternal instinct and sexual desire that was presented in the story was so alienating that it created an insurmountable boundary between me and the narrative.

Overall, while this book may not be for me, it is not necessarily a bad book. It simply failed to resonate with me on a personal level.

Perhaps others will find more to appreciate and connect with in its pages.

This was an incredibly dark, gritty, realistic novel that perfectly portrays destructive behavior and manipulative relationships.

The story is narrated by Barbara, an older secondary school History teacher. She becomes obsessed with a new Art teacher, Sheba Hart. When Barbara discovers that Sheba has started a relationship with one of her pupils, she pretends to be Sheba's confidante, which brings the two "friends" even closer. However, Barbara's manipulative personality leads them to even darker places.

This book is very well-written. The characters, the situation, and the way the storyline unfolds are all incredibly realistic. Although the story is set in London, the setting feels increasingly claustrophobic as Sheba descends further into the destructive and illegal relationship. Barbara is a fascinating and deplorable narrator. On the one hand, you can't help but feel sorry for her, while on the other hand, her actions are truly despicable. Although the book isn't necessarily "enjoyable" to read in the traditional sense, it is definitely entertaining. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next and how the characters will ultimately deal with the consequences of their actions.

My first encounter with a book by Zoe Heller was truly a remarkable experience. I'm aware that she has at least three works published, and this one in particular left a lasting impression.

It's a really intelligent book. The narrator, Barbara, makes the decision to pen an account of her friendship with a fellow school teacher, the new art teacher named Bathsheba, or Sheba as she is known within the pages of the book.

Barbara's remarks and writing style are incredibly incisive. She eschews flowery and excessive language, getting right to the heart of the matter. However, at the same time, she shows sympathy for her friend while also being fair to all, or so I believe.

Even if you've already watched the movie starring Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench, this book remains a very charming, smooth, and interesting read. It offers a unique perspective and a depth of character exploration that the movie may not fully capture. I highly recommend giving this book a chance, especially if you enjoy thought-provoking literature that delves into the complex nature of human relationships.

Just arrived from Germany through BM.

A truly splendid and shockingly captivating book written by Zoë Heller.

This is a love story that unfolds between a new pottery teacher named Sheba at St. George and a teenager. The plot not only delves into this forbidden romance but also showcases the friendship between Sheba and Barbara. Barbara, in her diary, describes their friendship and how she helps Sheba face her destiny.

It is truly admirable the way the author has managed to introduce some hints of humor in this tragic story filled with passion, jealousy, and envy. The original title - What Was She Thinking? - seems more fitting and appropriate than the current one.

Moreover, a movie titled Notes on a Scandal (2006) was made based on this book. Starring Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, they are the perfect actresses to bring these complex and nuanced roles to life.

A very interesting story indeed. It sounds extremely realistic and is truly creepy. From the very outset, the narrative is too cold and practical, leaving no room for the heartstrings to be tugged.

I didn't have any hatred towards Barbara. Even if she had remained quiet, what was happening was clearly revolting. However, I did hate the feebleness of Sheba. She fails miserably at handling the situation right from the beginning, both at school and at home. Given her profession, this incapacity cannot be overlooked.

Even if we were to assume that the scandal was not entirely true and was only perceived through Barbara's lonely and sick mind, Sheba is still miserably lonelier than Barbara. In spite of having a family, she has to stick with the one who betrayed her. It's a sad and complex situation that makes one wonder about the choices people make and the consequences they have to face.

This has been sitting on my shelf for ages.

Since I've been off work due to being sick (those stupid tonsils!), I decided to search through my books for quick and easy reads. Frankly, my brain isn't capable of much at the moment.

This particular book seemed to meet the requirements and turned out to be both a quick and enjoyable read. I didn't find it particularly sinister as the blurb claimed. Instead, it was a great example of how even the most highly educated people with the best of intentions can easily get caught up in a self-created web of envy, deceit, and lust.

Personally, if I knew Sheba in real life, I would have distanced myself from her immediately. With her floaty skirts, dangly earrings, pottery-making hobby, and fey and flaky character, she just seems like trouble. Barbara, on the other hand, appeared to be a fairly decent person who, presumably, just lost her sanity in the end after devoting so much time, friendship, and energy to such ridiculous fey and flaky individuals.

This book is a prime illustration of how base human emotions can often overrule rational thinking. It's a reminder that we should always be cautious and self-aware to avoid getting caught up in similar situations.

I simply can't (and couldn't, even while reading) manage to get the movie out of my mind in order to evaluate the book entirely independently of it. If you haven't seen it, let me tell you that Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett are both truly astounding in it. The book, on the other hand, is more open-ended and more morally ambiguous. It is very good, but it lacks a certain something.

That being said, I really love what Heller does in creating a first-person narrator who, by all accounts, should be entirely unreliable. However, with every chapter, another layer of the truth about her own sociopathological personality is revealed. The main character, Barbara, an aging, spinster history teacher, is not entirely without sympathy. Despite all the dysfunction present here - and we're talking about a galactic amount in just 258 pages - we can feel Barbara's pain acutely, as well as Sheba's. This is an amazing achievement in terms of voice and point of view; it's really done very skillfully. The greater grey area in the characters' motivations and ethics in the book results in less drama but a more satisfying psychological complexity and realism.

Overall, while the book has its own merits, it's hard not to compare it to the movie, which also has its own strengths. Nevertheless, Heller's writing in the book is值得称赞 for its ability to create such complex and interesting characters.

3.5 rounded up to 4.

I listened to the audio version of the novel narrated by Nadia May.

My only minor complaint about the novel is that I couldn't quite fathom Sheba's attraction to the boy.

However, aside from that, the narrator, who is lonely and sad, with her caustic wit and fragile self-esteem, is played off perfectly against the foil of the naive and rather childish Sheba.

The contrast between the two characters adds depth and complexity to the story.

The narrator's cynicism and self-doubt are juxtaposed with Sheba's innocence and naivete, creating a dynamic and engaging narrative.

Despite my confusion regarding Sheba's actions, the overall story is well-written and the characters are vividly portrayed.

The audio narration by Nadia May further enhances the listening experience, bringing the characters and the story to life.

Overall, I would recommend this novel to others who enjoy complex character studies and thought-provoking stories.

A common criticism aimed at Heller is that her characters lack likability. This is often a device that, when used sparingly, is highly praised. However, in Heller's case, it seems to be less of a device and more of her signature. Interestingly, I concur with her that her characters are not so much unlikable as they are complex. I would also contend that she has valid reasons for the choices she makes. Moreover, it makes me question the shallow interpretations of some of her critics.

This can be quite forceful in certain parts. With the unreliable Barbara narrating the story, the author transforms a controversy into a toxic suspense that builds within the already prickly backdrop. The two main female characters are outstanding creations. The plot is so dense with numerous elements encroaching on the "crime" that some may find themselves forgetting the original intention of it all. It is simply captivating fiction.

On a lighter note, having been a Tottenham Hotspurs fan in the past, it amused me greatly that they would change Brian's favorite football team from Arsenal to Spurs for the film adaptation. That alone is a point of controversy.