Listened to in audio format.

This is my first book by Zoe Heller, and I am truly captivated. I can't wait to explore more of her works.

What Was She Thinking? presents a complex and engaging story of an affair between a female teacher, Sheeba, and her teenage pupil. The narrative is told through the perspective of Barbara, who claims to be Sheeba's 'best friend and confidant'.

Sixty-year-old Barbara Covett, a history teacher, was lonely and friendless until Sheeba, an art teacher, joined the staff. Barbara desired to form a friendship with Sheeba but was disappointed when Sheeba befriended another teacher.

One day, after Barbara assisted with a difficult class, Sheeba invited her to lunch. Their friendship quickly blossomed, and Barbara began spending time with Sheeba's husband and children. However, one day, Sheeba confessed to Barbara that Steven, one of her pupils, had kissed her. Shocked, Barbara advised Sheeba to inform the headmaster.

Unfortunately, Sheeba chose to ignore this advice, which led to a full-blown affair. Barbara then vividly describes the events and her own actions that ultimately contribute to Sheeba's downfall.

I was completely hooked and could have easily listened to the entire book in one sitting. The plot is dark and intelligent, and the author's observations are at times uncomfortable.

Although Sheeba's actions were foolish, I believe she had truly fallen in love with Steven. I found myself frustrated with Sheeba when she became jealous of Steven's interactions with girls his own age.

Barbara, on the other hand, is a bitter and nasty character who manages to insinuate herself into Sheeba's family life. She is the epitome of a frenemy.

While the story does not have a completely satisfying ending, I do think Sheeba received her just desserts. I would have loved to see a second book that delved into Sheeba's court case.

Overall, I highly recommend this book for its thought-provoking themes and engaging narrative.

Sheba Hart, what a rather unique name! She has recently joined St Georges school as a new art teacher.

She enters the teachers' room with an air of mystery, instantly stealing all the attention. Meanwhile, Barbara Covett, an ironic name perhaps, has her gaze firmly fixed on Sheba.

Barbara narrates this story from her own detailed and somewhat creepy perspective. She elaborates on the relationships Sheba forms with the others at St Georges, and reveals an inappropriate connection with a student right from the start.

Barbara then alternates between different storylines until they eventually converge. Barbara is an older, single woman who lives with her cat, Portia. She is desperately lonely and yearns for a friend.

Sheba, on the other hand, is equally lonely in her marriage with two children and confides in Barbara, the only one she feels she can trust with her secrets.

The writing in this book is initially thoughtful and worth savoring. As the story progresses, it is masterfully constructed to bring out the flaws, weaknesses, and motivations of the characters as they make choices that will have a profound impact on each other's lives.

This book is ripe for discussion, both morally and literarily. However, I was a bit disappointed with the rather quick ending, which felt a little rushed. Nevertheless, it is a book that I will definitely pick up again as there are so many beautiful phrases that I want to read over and over.

Notes on a Scandal is an intricately multi-layered story. It begins by seemingly enticing readers with the salacious details of an older woman's inappropriate romance with an adolescent boy. However, beneath this surface, it skillfully and subtly reveals the hypocrisy within each character. Each one is painfully aware of Sheba's perversions yet stubbornly refuses to acknowledge their own flaws.

Zoe Heller challenges us to reevaluate our concepts of moral and immoral. We are forced to question whether we can truly judge Sheba Hart for her actions.

At the heart of the story lies the theme of social deviance, but there is also a tender, albeit one-sided, love story.

The scandal is narrated from Barbara's perspective. She jot down her thoughts about Sheba and her life in her notes, while also providing glimpses into her own lonely existence. Although she may seem like a woman with sociopathic tendencies, constantly watching Sheba and interfering in her life, one can't help but feel sorry for her profound loneliness. She takes pleasure in seeing Sheba's perfect family life fall apart, waiting for the moment when she will be the only one by Sheba's side. Meanwhile, Sheba, dissatisfied with her life, is drawn deeper into the madness of her own deviance, while Barbara observes patiently.

The author poses a significant question: Can the supposed victims sometimes be the culprits themselves? Can a minor or teenager manipulate an adult? This is not an attempt to excuse Sheba's actions but a thought-provoking query.

In conclusion, this is a twisted and complex tale about relationships that defy easy classification and the concept of culpability. It's a story that appeals to me because I love a good conundrum. Maybe I'm a little twisted too.

This is a story about scandal, yet it delves much deeper into the realm of loneliness. It is a pure, desperate, bone-aching kind of loneliness. As I pen these words, I am acutely aware that what I write is but a feeble, paraphrased rendition of the most powerful passage within the book. And this is precisely the challenge of reviewing Notes on a Scandal. Everything I attempt to convey, Heller has already articulated with far greater potency. Moreover, she accomplishes it all with remarkable neatness and beauty. There are no cumbersome metaphors or inane comparisons, only incisive observations and multi-layered themes.

It is a story that has been told before, in numerous different guises - the student/teacher affair, the older individual preying on the vulnerable youth. However, Notes on a Scandal takes this familiar narrative and elevates it to a higher plane. Instead of presenting a scandalous account of the affair from the perspective of one of the participants, it is related by Barbara, the self-anointed narrator of Sheba's downfall. This imparts an unemotional tone to the events. Barbara fails to truly fathom what exactly attracted Sheba to Connolly, and thus, neither do you. You gradually come to understand that Barbara is a strange, desperate, overly attached woman, yet you cannot help but feel a measure of sympathy for her. At the outset, Barbara contends that the story is about Sheba, not herself, but Barbara's story proves to be the more captivating one, insidiously seeping in and commandeering your attention.

I did harbour a wish that the ending had been a touch more menacing. I was anticipating a more explosive conclusion, but I should have known better. It was always going to be quietly disconcerting.

Finally, one of my favourite quotes (apart from the aforementioned one on loneliness) is: "I'm a child in that respect: able to live, physically speaking, on a crumb of anticipation for weeks at a time, but always in danger of crushing the waited-for event with the freight of my excessive hope."

All of this is encapsulated within a mere 258 pages! I am a self-proclaimed aficionado of sweeping, lengthy novels, yet this one needed no additional length. It was perfect as it was. It tells its story, it unsettles you, makes you reflect, and then it concludes. 4.5 stars - almost tipping over the edge to 5.

This is, at its core, a novel that delves deep into the theme of obsession. The narrator, Barbara, has an intense fixation on her young colleague Sheba Hart. And Sheba, in turn, is involved in a scandalous affair with a fifteen-year-old pupil. There is a certain air of lunacy and sadness surrounding these two women. At 60, Barbara, a spinsterly and closeted lesbian (the nature of her sexuality is cleverly left ambiguous for the reader to decide), pins all her hopes of finding connection and escaping loneliness on a married woman who is already embroiled in a potentially disastrous affair. Meanwhile, Sheba descends from being naïve and vulnerable to a blinkered, romantic idiot. She ignores the very real threats of imprisonment, the likely breakdown of her family, and the damage she is causing to Stephen, the boy whose initial crush on her has withered into casual, almost reluctant sex.

Even though there is little to like about the snide and bitter Barbara or the object of her attention, the story itself has a strange allure. It unfolds like a slow-motion train wreck, masterfully written in Barbara's convincing yet distancing voice. The reader may feel pity for her or intensely dislike her, but we cannot help but share her astonishment at Sheba's actions. As we become immersed in the minutiae of the affair, Barbara's affront becomes our own.

This is a very readable, albeit bleakly gossipy book. I had to stop watching the movie halfway through because I couldn't bear to see Dame Judi Dench so cannily portray Barbara. I like Judi Dench too much to associate her with the character, and she was doing an outstanding job. It was undoubtedly brilliant casting. However, disassociating her from the character made the story easier to read than to watch. This book gets under your skin, reminding us that humans are fragile, foolish, and prone to unkindness when thwarted.

Having witnessed the movie adaptation of this several years ago, I was rather uncertain about what to anticipate. I had developed a strong aversion to both Sheba and Barbara from the film, and thus I presumed that I would hold the same sentiments towards the book characters. As it transpired, this was only partly accurate. I discovered that I had absolutely no sympathy for Sheba and her thoroughly corrupt self-centeredness. Nevertheless, Barbara presented a different narrative. I was deeply saddened by her internal dialogue and felt that she was worthy of compassion. She was in no sense the frigid, heartless busybody that was portrayed in the film. Instead, she was an extremely lonely individual who was desperately longing for a companion.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who has a penchant for a captivating scandalous story. It offers a unique perspective and delves deeper into the characters' psyches, allowing the reader to form their own opinions and interpretations. Whether you are a fan of the movie or not, this book is sure to keep you engaged and entertained from start to finish.

In the world of "Gilmore Girls," if Lorelai had an affair with Dean, it would have had a profound impact on the story.

Dean was Rory's first serious boyfriend, and their relationship was an important part of the early seasons. If Lorelai were to have an affair with him, it would create a complex web of emotions and conflicts.

Rory would likely be hurt and betrayed, as her mother and boyfriend would be involved in something behind her back. This could cause a rift in their mother-daughter relationship, which was already a central theme of the show.

Lorelai's relationship with Luke, which was a major storyline throughout the series, would also be affected. Luke had feelings for Lorelai, and an affair with Dean would make things even more complicated between them.

The town of Stars Hollow, known for its gossip and small-town drama, would surely be abuzz with the news of Lorelai and Dean's affair. This could lead to awkward situations and strained relationships for both of them within the community.

Overall, if Lorelai had an affair with Dean, it would have changed the course of the "Gilmore Girls" story in many ways, adding new layers of drama and complexity to the already rich and engaging narrative.

Move over Stephen King, now this is scary shit.

I'll admit, it's truly frightening that Sheba, a grown woman with children, could abandon her senses to the extent of having a sexual affair with her 15-year-old student, thereby putting her entire privileged life at great risk. The consequences of such a scandalous relationship are nothing short of disastrous for Sheba's family, her career, and her reputation. Even as the reader can see these consequences advancing as if in slow motion, we still shield our eyes from the impending doom.

But what really filled me with horror is Barbara, the prim, perfectly respectable older woman lurking in the shadows, taking notes and keeping score. She lives alone, with no one but an ageing cat to care whether she is dead or alive. Her painful, brutal aloneness drives her to have a perpetual need to be seen, to rank, and to prove her existence. It's this need that turns her into a sinister succubus for attention, and ironically, sets her apart from everyone around her.

Before you go and feel sorry for her, imagine: this emotional vampire, as insidious as invisible ink, inveigles her way into a position of trust, wielding her power to satisfy her greedy, endlessly deprived appetite for validation. A secret agenda colors her every action. She's like the penny that keeps turning up or the smell that won't go away. She's there every time you turn around, offering "help" and "friendship". She hasn't forgotten about you, especially the secrets you told her in moments of wrongly placed trust. This control freak stops at nothing to find a place to belong, even if that place is stolen at a great price to you. Her victimhood is long, and her claws are very, very sharp.

All this leads one to a chicken/egg type of question. Is she lonely because she's so toxic, or toxic because she’s so lonely?

This brilliant story touches on many topics, including class, monogamy, and repressed sapphic desires. It is also good fodder for conversation regarding the double standard of an adult woman in a sexual relationship with a boy, versus a man in such a relationship with a girl. But it seems to me that above all, this book is about Barbara and the albatross of sick, festering loneliness she carries around. Beware anyone who is kind or naive enough to allow her into their life.

Zoe Heller has written a compelling story which is speckled with humour amid the dark, secretive caverns of its disturbing main character. I’d love to read her again.

This is a pretty good novel, yet it has a rather bleak tone.

Every character in it seems to be horrible. It's not just the obvious antagonists; even the supposed victims display rather unlikable traits.

The story unfolds in a way that makes you question the nature of good and evil. Are the victims truly innocent, or do they have their own dark sides?

The author does a great job of creating a complex and somewhat disturbing world. You can't help but be drawn into the story, even as you cringe at the actions and behaviors of the characters.

Despite its bleakness, the novel has a certain charm that keeps you turning the pages. It makes you think about the human condition and how easily we can all fall into darkness.

Overall, it's a thought-provoking and engaging read, but not for the faint of heart.

I recalled having read some truly encouraging reviews of this book. So, when I recently spotted it in a charity shop, I didn't hesitate for a moment to purchase it.

Soon afterwards, I chose to read it due to its interesting premise, my insatiable curiosity, and the fact that it was quite a short book.

Overall, this story - that of a woman teacher detailing her friend and colleague's affair with one of her pupils - was an interesting yet uncomfortable read. I found the threatening nature throughout the book rather difficult at times. It was immediately obvious that the woman would be found out and things would unravel in a horrible fashion.

However, I do acknowledge that this was realistic and necessary considering the subject matter. The book was intelligently written, with some intriguing new bits of vocabulary. Several sections, especially that speaking about childlessness and loneliness, were very thought-provoking indeed. The parts about the education sector were also very cutting.

Overall, it made for a compelling read, albeit an uncomfortable one with respect to all the sadness associated with this woman's naïve actions. It left me with a lot to think about and a sense of unease that lingered long after I had finished reading.

I have a particular penchant for books that pose thought-provoking questions. However, such books are unfortunately not in abundance. On the other hand, I have a strong aversion to people, whether they are characters within a story or the authors who conceive them, who seem incapable of perceiving the positive aspects of life. Take Barbara, for instance. In her eyes, everything, be it a human being, food, or anything else, is either stupid or cheap. It is this Barbara, rather than the story itself or even Sheba, who distinguishes what could have been a fine novel from the rather average one that actually exists. Her negative and pessimistic outlook casts a shadow over the entire narrative, detracting from what might otherwise have been a more engaging and enjoyable reading experience.

To be honest, I was a bit scared when Girish recommended this book from the Booker Prize list. Most of the books on that list are way above my head, and I wasn't sure if I could understand this one.

However, I'm glad to have picked it up, lured by a group read. It turned out to be a great choice.

More than the scandal, it was the effect of some brilliant thought-provoking conversations, especially those on loneliness, that added flavors to the multi-layered narration. The author has done a great job of exploring these complex themes in a way that is both engaging and accessible.

The book is written cleverly in a crisp manner, with a fast-paced plot that keeps you hooked from start to finish. It's a gloomy read, dealing with themes of trust and betrayal, envy and obsession, but it's also a very rewarding one.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good literary novel that makes you think.