What Was She Thinking? [Notes on a Scandal]

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What Was She Thinking? [Notes on a Scandal]

3.64 of 5 stars 3.64 · rating details · 7,646 ratings · 828 reviews

Schoolteacher Barbara Covett has led a solitary life until Sheba Hart, the new art teacher at St. George's, befriends her. But even as their relationship develops, so too does another: Sheba has begun an illicit affair with an underage male student. When the scandal turns into a media circus, Barbara decides to write an account in her friend's defense—and ends up revealing...more

Paperback, 258 pages

Published June 1st 2004 by Picador (first published August 1st 2003)

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May 16, 2008 Nico rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: novels-and-novelties

An unforgiving, cold-eyed, wickedly beautiful little book.

A warning: if you have ever been crushingly lonely -- particularly if you have, on occasion, feebly attempted to rationalize that loneliness as a burden of your superior and isolating intelligence -- then I suspect that you, like me, will feel personally filleted by certain passages in this book.

Here's an example of Heller's brutally precise understanding of this manner of loneliness; what strikes me in this passage is how elegantly, how...more

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Jan 03, 2013 Samadrita rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Samadrita by: Rajat's 5-star rating

Shelves: man-booker-shortlist-longlist, britain, human-drama, european-literature, slice-of-life, controversial-or-social-taboos, melancholia, cherished, brain-fodder, psychological, romance, amazing-characterization, awesomesauce, 1001-and-more, re-readable, lgbt, by-women-who-matter

Notes on a Scandal is a multi-layered story. While keeping up with the pretense of titillating readers with the lurid details of a much older woman's romance with an adolescent boy, it skilfully but subtly exposes the hypocrisy practiced by each one of its characters. How each one of them remained so painfully aware of Sheba's perversions while remaining stubbornly dismissive of their own.
Zoe Heller also forces us to rethink what we consider moral and immoral and ask ourselves whether we can re...more Notes on a Scandal is a multi-layered story. While keeping up with the pretense of titillating readers with the lurid details of a much older woman's romance with an adolescent boy, it skilfully but subtly exposes the hypocrisy practiced by each one of its characters. How each one of them remained so painfully aware of Sheba's perversions while remaining stubbornly dismissive of their own.
Zoe Heller also forces us to rethink what we consider moral and immoral and ask ourselves whether we can really patronize Sheba Hart for what she did.

At the heart of the story is a theme of social deviance but there's also a tender love story at its core, albeit entirely one-sided.
The story of the scandal is narrated from Barbara's point of view who scribbles down whatever she feels about Sheba and her life in her notes while occasionally giving the reader a glimpse into her own sad little existence. Although she may come off as a woman with slightly sociopathic tendencies, keeping tabs on Sheba and meddling with almost every aspect of her life right from the time of their first meeting, one also feels for the profound loneliness she suffers from. She takes pleasure in watching Sheba's picture-perfect family life crumble bit by bit while she waits on the sidelines for a time to arrive when only she will remain by her side. While Sheba, subconsciously dissatisfied with the way her life has turned out to be, gets sucked deeper into the madness brought forth by her own deviance, Barbara observes silently and patiently. Till the time all hell breaks loose and both women-somewhat cut off from the mainstream of society-find a safe haven in each other's company.

A very significant question raised by the author in this book is - whether the supposed victims could sometimes be the culprits themselves? Whether a minor or a teenager can really be capable of manipulating an adult and bend him/her to their own will?
Not that this is an attempt at absolving Sheba of her actions but it's a question worth pondering.

To sum it up, this is a twisted and complicated tale revolving around relationships which cannot be labelled and the notions of culpability and hence right up my alley. No this does not mean I'm twisted (okay maybe a little) but merely that I love a good conundrum. (less)

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Jun 17, 2013 Petra X rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

Wonderfully-written, brilliantly-drawn characters who each vie for the title of 'most detestable person in the book' as they live through a most despicable situation of a middle-aged teacher having an affair with a young pupil and the Machiavellian machinations of an older, bitter teacher who is a repressed lesbian. I would imagine it translated better into a film, especially given the stellar cast of Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, than it read as a book.

Fantastic writing but somehow the story d...more

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Apr 24, 2013 Sam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary

Things that are truly innocent don’t need to be labelled as such.

Sheba Hart, a 41 year old woman from an affluent background, arrives at St. George’s, a school situated in an impoverished area of London, where she is keenly noticed by senior teaching colleague, Barbara Covett. Before the two women strike up a close nit friendship, Sheba engages in an affair with 15 year old student, Steven Connolly.

Notes on a Scandal is one of those really multi-layered character study type novels where we get...more Things that are truly innocent don’t need to be labelled as such.

Sheba Hart, a 41 year old woman from an affluent background, arrives at St. George’s, a school situated in an impoverished area of London, where she is keenly noticed by senior teaching colleague, Barbara Covett. Before the two women strike up a close nit friendship, Sheba engages in an affair with 15 year old student, Steven Connolly.

Notes on a Scandal is one of those really multi-layered character study type novels where we get to examine each individual and question the nature of their motives. Nothing is ever certain throughout this novel and the ending - which at first I thought was rather abrupt and lacklustre - will either disturb you or leave you questioning. (view spoiler)

Every character in this book (apart from Ben) is devastatingly lonely and starved for attention. This of course does not excuse Sheba’s actions. (Who, by the way, is gravely delusional.) She married Richard, an older man when she was very young and her father, a famous academic, thought she was throwing her potential and life away by doing so. Years after her father’s death, Sheba’s mother still echoes her greatest shortcoming; her marriage to Richard. Her daddy issues really come to light during the novel when she is inwardly angered that Richard has failed to notice that she’s been up to something. In a way it’s almost like she wanted to get caught, solely to have the joy of being reprimanded.

Barbara’s narration is very similar to Humbert Humbert’s in Lolita. Both are truly convincing voices belonging to two seriously hedonistic characters. Barbara seeks out Sheba because she senses they share a similar type of loneliness, which, in terms of the real world and how friendships are formed, is all very natural. But in this world that Zoe Heller has created, nothing is quite what is appears.

As this is a character study novel, the characterisation of Steven is a bit of a let-down. There’s enough information to form an opinion of him but we never really get to know him.

This book’s cover is genius and one which I absolutely love. To me its simplicity speaks volumes; a cherry that represents virginal innocence and an apple, being the forbidden fruit. It’s up to the reader to decide who the Eve in this story is and who is innocent.

As far as literary merit goes, this book is deserving of five stars. The only reason I didn’t give it full marks is because it wasn’t a life changer for me. I was able to relate to the loneliness of the characters (who can say that they’ve never felt lonely?) but other than that, I didn’t feel the earth move under my feet. Not to say that child abuse isn’t cataclysmic enough for me. It is. But there is more to this book than an unlawful affair.
(less)

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Nov 24, 2008 Judith rated it 4 of 5 stars

I very much enjoyed the movie so I was slightly nervous about reading the book ~ how could it be better?
Well it is ~ the narrative method is so much clearer and it makes for a wonderful read. Not only is there the fascination with Sheba and her affair, but also the layer created by Barbara's manipulation and brutal honesty about being so.

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Dec 02, 2008 Alison rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: people riding a bus or trapped in an airport

Recommended to Alison by: several people, unfortunately.

Is it fair to say that a book is predictable when you've already seen the movie version? I think that anybody who's dabbled in the literature of stalker creepiness (e.g. Pale Fire) knows what it's all about: stalkers don't ever recognize themselves as stalkers; stalkers justify their stalkiness on the grounds that their superior understanding/compassion/intelligence/whatever must be captivating (ha literally) to whomever they're stalking. It's a discourse of exceptionalism, and the fact that it'...more

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Sep 15, 2011 Nicola rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 1001-books, awful-cover, library-books, made-into-movie, romance

I really enjoyed this one! It wasn't really anything like I expected it to be but I say that as a good thing. The writing is beautiful- it's intelligent without being clunky and flows incredibly well, making it a pleasure to read. Both Barbara and Sheba are portrayed brilliantly. They're complex and well developed characters and I felt like we got a good sense of who they are from all angles. Barbara tells her story well and honestly had me laughing out loud more than once which I love in novels...more

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Oct 04, 2010 Mari Biella rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites

Why do we raise our eyebrows at relationships between two people of markedly different ages? Why are we in such a hurry to classify certain romantic entanglements as being "exploitative", and can we ever be clear exactly who is exploiting whom anyway? These are just some of the questions you're likely to ask yourself while reading Notes on a Scandal.

On paper, this looks like a pretty cut-and-dried case: a 42-year-old married female teacher pursues a sexual relationship with a 15/16-year-old scho...more Why do we raise our eyebrows at relationships between two people of markedly different ages? Why are we in such a hurry to classify certain romantic entanglements as being "exploitative", and can we ever be clear exactly who is exploiting whom anyway? These are just some of the questions you're likely to ask yourself while reading Notes on a Scandal.

On paper, this looks like a pretty cut-and-dried case: a 42-year-old married female teacher pursues a sexual relationship with a 15/16-year-old schoolboy. It's criminal behaviour, it draws forth both scorn and condemnation from the media, it ruins lives and taints reputations - but it's testament to Heller's writing skills that by the end of the novel you may well find yourself sympathising with the "criminal" Sheba Hart rather than the "victim" Steven Connolly. After all, the novel suggests, Connolly basically just has a rather enjoyable sexual experience and then gets on with his life; it is Sheba who suffers as a result, Sheba who must endure not only the pangs of lost love but the pain of a broken marriage, a destroyed reputation and an impending jail sentence.

The "notes on a scandal" of the title refers to the account of the affair written by Barbara Covett. Barbara is a fellow schoolteacher, a spinster who is atrociously lonely, and who is also - apparently - Sheba's most loyal friend. Barbara is the kind of woman - snide, snippy, and a self-righteous old gossip - who you'd avoid like the plague in real life, but actually as a narrator she's rather delightful company, digging right into the salacious heart of the scandal on behalf of the reader. She's curiously self-deluding on occasion, but at other times she manages to nail the people around her with such brilliant precision that you can't help but be impressed. She's wickedly funny, and at other times is heartrending as she constantly confronts the haunting fact of her own crushing loneliness. This, is turns out, is why she is so loyal to Sheba: she needs Sheba, she has to feel that she has someone giving meaning to her life, and she'll do just about anything to keep her. Sheba hands this extraordinary power to Barbara when she tells her about her affair with Connolly, and her confession proves to be something of an incendiary. Barbara can, depending on her mood, either put it quietly and safely to one side or light the fuse, put her fingers in her ears and stand well back ...

There are some faults with the novel, certainly: the character of Barbara comes perilously close to being a cliché (she even has a pet cat that she dotes on, just as stereotypical lonely old spinsters everywhere are said to have). Also, Steven is made to sound rather repulsive - he has no obvious attractions, either physically, mentally or personality-wise - so it's rather hard to understand why Sheba is even attracted to him, let alone so obsessed that she'll risk everything for his sake.

Still, those faults are more like minor niggles than fatal flaws. This is a compelling, quick read - I got through it in about three evenings, and couldn't wait to get home and pick it up again. By turns funny and grim, it will draw you in and make you question some of your assumptions. I don't think Heller expects you to draw any profound moral from it; it's more of a dissection of the dynamics and power-struggles of personal and sexual relations, and an examination of societal and personal responses to sexual scandals. Read and enjoy.(less)

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Jul 28, 2008 Traci Medeiros rated it 4 of 5 stars

I thought this book was amazing and that the movie, while different, really got to the heart of what the book was about-- not an easy task for such a rich and complex read. The thing that I thought was really amazing about this theme, in both the book and movie, was the way that it questioned our preconceived notions of perversion and how those notions are affected by age and gender. If you want to talk legally Sheba was the only criminal, her affections were the ones that were inappropriate, sh...more

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Jul 23, 2007 Elaine rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mainstreamlitfic, crime-mystery-horror

Grim, grim, grim. Here's an unstinting, gaze-unaverted look at the nastiness, perversion and self-deluding aspects of human nature. One woman would do anything to keep a friendship, another would do anything to seduce a young pupil. Zoe Heller renders all of this in tense, compelling, page-turning drama, yet leavened by shards of brilliant dark comedy that is "humor in the jugular vein", to borrow a phrase from Mad Magazine. Barbara Covett, in observing the under-arms stubble of a teacher collea...more

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Jun 14, 2007 Erik Talkin rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read the book then watched the movie. Okay, I did it the other way around, but this is practically a textbook example of how to succeed with a screen adaptation. Normally we're all whinging that the movie is not as good as the book, but here, playwright Patrick Marber’s screenplay is actually superior to the original. (Which is good too).
Author Zoe Heller is a well-known newspaper columnist in England, and for her novel examining an art teacher's illicit relationship with a fifteen year old s...more

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Jul 12, 2007 Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Not a poorly written book, but I had a difficult time empathizing with the characters. When I read a book, typically I like to come away with something: more knowledge, deeper understanding, empathy, or just a riotous good time. None of that happened with this book. I just felt empty and sad, and very baffled by these characters. I could empathize in some aspects with Barbara, but try as I might to gain some sort of insight into Sheba's psyche and relate to even a shred of what motivated her, I...more

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Mar 31, 2009 Merty rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm reading The Believers right now. I'm so glad she came out with a new book. Zoe Heller is an amazing writer.
A social satire, a must-read.

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Sep 04, 2009 Joe Sherman rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is outstanding! A writer's tour-de-force. One of the best first-person narratives by a deranged character since Edgar Allan Poe. Page 197 and the first paragraph of page 198 contain the greatest testimony of human anguish that I've ever read. Brava Ms. Heller!

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Jan 12, 2009 Carrie rated it 2 of 5 stars

NB - I wrote this review before I saw the film (indeed, before there was a film, so I didn't mention it)

New book! - This is the story of a teacher, Sheba, who has an affair with her sixteen-year old student. It is told by her friend and colleague, Barbara, and it becomes clear over the course of the novel that the real story is Barbara's a she lets out her own failings while ostensibly telling her friend's story. The book is well written, in the sense that its eminently readable. The tone is tru...more NB - I wrote this review before I saw the film (indeed, before there was a film, so I didn't mention it)

New book! - This is the story of a teacher, Sheba, who has an affair with her sixteen-year old student. It is told by her friend and colleague, Barbara, and it becomes clear over the course of the novel that the real story is Barbara's a she lets out her own failings while ostensibly telling her friend's story. The book is well written, in the sense that its eminently readable. The tone is true - it seems like the voice of a middle aged history teacher, and although I was somewhat of a captive audience (reading the book on the airplane) I read it straight through. In addition, I find the notion of an unreliable narrator to be eminently interesting to play with. I can understand why the book got critical raves - it's just post modern and meta enough to get their attention, and Heller has the writing chops to back it up.

However, the book was ultimately unsatisfying to me. The first reason is that Barbara was so obviously bitter and warped and not working in Sheba's interests. It would have been more satisfying to gradually come to the conclusion that she was not telling the whole truth and was not up to any good than to be certain from the get go that she was sad and strange and pitiful. This leads to my second complaint - Barbara was written as a vindictive lonely spinster who craves any human companionship, and will go to any lengths to get someone to love her. She'll do anything for human companionship, no matter how pitiful it makes her. She'll push her way into any situation. She's the ultimate stereotype of the sad unmarried woman. She has even has a cat! This is such a miserable retrograde character and such a sexist image of a miserable lonely middle-aged woman that it robs the book of some of its power. Wouldn't Barbara be more interesting if she wasn't pitiful in this awfully old fashion retrograde way?

Ms. Heller is a good writer, and I enjoyed reading her book. Yet, in the end these two problems made it a disappointing tale. I look forward to what she does next. With minor tweaks she'd be unstoppable.(less)

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May 07, 2013 Niall Slynn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Unnervingly this book struck a chord with me. Part way in I was stricken by a profound realisation that I too am a scathingly judgemental elitist and intransigent snob who felt quite at home with that side of the protagonist, Barbara Covett's character. It's incredibly funny on one level to luxuriate in her sharp observations without the corresponding guilt of having given genesis to them oneself.

Zoe Heller creates a marvellously fleshed out portrait of a manipulative woman (I feel it's succeeds...more

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May 05, 2013 Cardmaker rated it 2 of 5 stars

The write-up on the back of the book reads as follows:

"School teacher Barbara Covett has led a solitary life until Sheba Hart, the new art teacher at St George's, befriends her. But even as their relationship develops, so too does another: Sheba has begun an illicit affair with an underage male student. When the scandal turns into a media circus, Barbara decides to write an account in her friend's defense - and ends up revealing not only Sheba's secrets but her own."

Sounded interesting to me. An...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Stephanie rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The writing was not terrible, but the plot was boring and the characters were hard to relate to and slightly annoying. For example, Barbara was clearly obsessed with Sheba from the second she set foot in the high school. Everything she did from that point forward was somehow related to Sheba. If Sheba wasn't directly involved, Barbara would comment on what Sheba would've done in a similar instance or what Sheba would've thought of a particular action. Also, Barbara obviously did not have much go...more

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Mar 13, 2013 Maya rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: greattitles

I really dig the way Zoe Heller writes. Very smooth. Also, all the pieces in her plot seem to fall together seamlessly. I liked the book a lot. In comparison to my viewing of the movie, I found myself thinking about Sheba's character a lot. I thought it was particularly poignant when she went to Steven's house right after the Polly incident. I could feel her desperation and despair about needing an escape from her own life and only finding it through another person and how limiting that escape r...more

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Feb 08, 2013 Smcleish rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: owned

Originally published on my blog here in November 2003.

In recent years, there have been a fair few tabloid scandals about teachers having affairs with pupils. Zoë Heller's second novel is about precisely this, forty year old teacher Sheba Hart and her affair with a fifteen year old boy (younger than her own daughter). The story is told by an older teacher from the same school, Barbara Covett, who has become Sheba's closest friend, and it is in her narration that Heller has written something more...more Originally published on my blog here in November 2003.

In recent years, there have been a fair few tabloid scandals about teachers having affairs with pupils. Zoë Heller's second novel is about precisely this, forty year old teacher Sheba Hart and her affair with a fifteen year old boy (younger than her own daughter). The story is told by an older teacher from the same school, Barbara Covett, who has become Sheba's closest friend, and it is in her narration that Heller has written something more than just a run of the mill novel about being in this sort of situation.

For what Heller does is to use Barbara's narration to expose her character - we learn, for example, that she makes a habit of starting possessive, managing friendships with younger female teachers. As she's about to retire, the age gap between her and Sheba is almost as much as that between Sheba and the boy - a point which Heller pointedly makes Barbara ignore. Most of the novel is concerned with the relationship between the two women, as that is what Barbara is interested in, rather than the media hounding of Sheba, the court appearances or even the affair itself (which is mainly discussed as a measure of Sheba's independence from Barbara's wishes).

The inadvertent self-revelation isn't particularly subtle, but is interesting and doesn't fit into the usual convention of the more or less impersonal narrator (which even affects first person narratives in many cases - where the narrator is really the author rather than a character in their own right). Barbara is quite a bitter woman, intolerant of the foibles of any except her current favourite, and this often makes what she says about other people tartly amusing.

Issues which would be considered important parts of the plot by most writers (whether a liaison between teacher and pupil would cause different reactions according to the sexes of the individuals involved, whether a fifteen year old boy - less than a year short of the age of consent in Britain - would feel exploited by such a relationship, how the teacher's family might feel, especially when she has a daughter of about the same age, and so on) are passed over briefly in this novel, or ignored completely. It is far more about the one thing which interests Barbara - herself. Notes on a Scandal is a novel to make the reader think about self-centredness.

Barbara is not a particularly pleasant person, and her character is well portrayed as such (the contrast between the feelings evoked by the distress of other human beings and by the death of Barbara's pet cat - the one being who offers her unconditional love - is an example of the sort of method Heller uses to do this).

All in all, a fun, amusing, thought provoking if occasionally vicariously embarrassing novel, well deserving of being on the Booker short list. (less)

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Dec 22, 2012 Elaine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Дата публикации: 5 сентября 2005 г.

Определение "женский роман" сразу наводит на мысль об уединенном вечере с коробкой шоколадных конфет по одну сторону и стопкой бумажных носовых платков по другую. Как правило, подобные романы поставлены на поток, так как, по определению специалистов, пользуются неиссякаемым коммерческим спросом. Интеллектуальный же роман должен сначала найти своего читателя, а посему его ждет "долгая дорога" к успеху и признанию.

Роман Зои Хеллер "Хроника одного скандала", вы...more Дата публикации: 5 сентября 2005 г.

Определение "женский роман" сразу наводит на мысль об уединенном вечере с коробкой шоколадных конфет по одну сторону и стопкой бумажных носовых платков по другую. Как правило, подобные романы поставлены на поток, так как, по определению специалистов, пользуются неиссякаемым коммерческим спросом. Интеллектуальный же роман должен сначала найти своего читателя, а посему его ждет "долгая дорога" к успеху и признанию.

Роман Зои Хеллер "Хроника одного скандала", вышедший в этом году в новой серии "Горький Шоколад" издательства "Фантом-Пресс", можно назвать успешным гибридом коммерческого и интеллектуального романа. Появившись на книжных полках магазинов в Британии в начале 2003 года, "Хроника" сразу же попала в списки книг, номинированных на Букеровскую премию. Сказать по правде, из шести авторов, числившихся в шорт-листе того года, я "болела" именно за Хеллер. Хотя трезво поразмыслив и взвесив все "за" и "против", я поняла что "Хронике" не суждено получить Букер. По одной простой причине: тема одиночества и интимных взаимоотношений между преподавателем и студенткой уже не раз попадала в поле зрения большой литературы. Вспомним хотя бы "Бесчестье" Кутзее, роман, выигравший букеровскую гонку четырьмя годами раньше.

В отличие от "Бесчестья", где описана привычная для современного общества история пятидесятидвухлетнего профессора, изгнанного из университета за отношения с молоденькой студенткой, Зои Хеллер, если не одной из первых в истории литературы, то, по крайней мере, с пронзительной честностью и откровенностью рассказывает историю отношений сорокалетней учительницы и ее ученика.

Одиночество с одинаковой жестокостью расправляется как с мужчинами, так и с женщинами, а различные ипостаси его состояния вызывают неподдельный интерес как у психологов, так и у писателей. Однако смелее и чаще всего о нем рассуждают женщины. Возможно, мужчины, в большинстве своем, не хотят допускать саму мысль о том, что кто-то помимо их самих может узнать о состоянии одиночества их души.

Зои Хеллер на страницах своей "Хроники" выводит одиночество в двух ипостасях: как "призвание", и как то, с чем можно бороться. Первую ипостась одиночества воплощает Барбара, учительница предпенсионного возраста, всю жизнь проработавшая в одной и той же школе, старая дева и интеллектуалка; вторую - Шеба, сорокалетняя учительница гончарного искусства, аристократка, впервые переступившая порог школы после двадцати лет навязанной ей судьбой роли жены ученого и домохозяйки. Однако если об одиночестве Барбары мы знаем с ее собственных слов, так как повествование ведется непосредственно от ее имени, то о Шебе мы составляем представление из записей Барбары, которые должны по замыслу послужить источником будущей книги. Именно поэтому читатель на протяжении всего своего пути к развязке романа пытается определить, кто же такая на самом деле Барбара, чьими глазами мы видим все происходящее. В роли кого она пытается себя представить в собственном рассказе: пассивного наблюдателя, участника, сострадающей стороны, или ищущего для себя выгоды, наперед все просчитавшего циника?

Лейтмотив дружбы, искренности, преданности и любви не является чем-то новым в литературе, но в романе Зои Хеллер это звучит в несколько отличной от устоявшейся интерпретации, которая может быть неоднозначно воспринята аудиторией. Взаимоотношения людей в современном мире настолько запутанны, что порой трудно определить, где кончается дружба и начинается любовь. Женщину, ищущую дружбу другой женщины, часто понимают превратно. "Увы, одинокой женщине никуда не деться от пошлых домыслов о ее сексуальных наклонностях. Особенно если она не желает распространяться о своей частной жизни", - убеждена Барбара. Современный мир не оставляет одиноким шанса выжить в лоне дружбы (в обычном понимании этого слова), так как наталкивает стороннего наблюдателя на мысль о том, что отсутствие мужского кортежа не может быть случайным.

Барбара выдержанными и взвешенными ответами легко отметает все возможные предположения подобного толка, звучащие в ее адрес со стороны коллег-учителей и директора школы. Даже когда всем становится ясно, что ее и Шебу, вопреки большой разнице в возрасте, связывает просто женская дружба, которую так старательно выстраивает сама Барбара с момента появления Шебы в школе, читателя до самого конца не оставляет ощущение, что пожилая женщина все-таки "себе на уме". Создать такое впечатление, когда повествование идет от лица одной из героинь, ни единым словом не обмолвившейся о своих реальных мотивах личной привязанности и безграничной преданности более юной подруге, может только очень искусный художник. Зои Хеллер это удалось с редчайшей виртуозностью.

Но вопросы дружбы и преданности присутствуют не только во взаимоотношениях Барбары и Шебы, но и Шебы и ее пятнадцатилетнего ученика Стивена Конноли. Эти отношения выходят за рамки стандарта "учитель-ученик" и перерастают в нечто большее - страсть, любовь и страдания. Надо отметить, что роман создавался по следам многочисленных открытых дискуссий в британской прессе и ток-шоу о моральной стороне взаимоотношений между женщиной средних или преклонных лет с мужчиной намного младше ее по возрасту, часто годящимся ей в сыновья. Одним из самых распространенных слов, характеризующих эти отношения, стало "тойбой" (toy boy - мальчик-игрушка в дословном переводе). И если само общество в большинстве своем единодушно пришло к мнению, что подобные взаимоотношения имеют место быть, и ничего предосудительного в них нет, то устав любого учебного учреждения строго запрещает даже малейшую попытку зарождения интимных отношений между преподавателем и студентом/кой, рассматривая их исключительно как растление малолетних. В этом и заключается преступление Шебы, к которому она неизбежно и осознанно идет, вопреки здравому смыслу и даже вопреки собственной воле, так как инициатором их отношений является непосредственно Стивен Конноли. Она же, поддавшись бесхитростным, по-детски нахальным ухаживаниям со стороны подростка, уступает ему, тем самым, отрезая себе путь к отступлению. Однажды вкусив запретный плод, не принесший радости ни интимного, ни тем более - духовного сближения, Шеба, однако, уже не в силах справиться с волной чувств, которые как отлив, уносят ее в бездну отчуждения и собственных страданий...

У "Хроники одного скандала" есть еще одна особенность - читателя не покидает ощущение реальности событий, которые, как кажется, только вчера имели место быть. Возможно, так оно и есть. "Водевильная демонстрация одиночества" и грехопадения. Не это ли и есть сама жизнь?
©Елена Дедюхина
© «Книжная витрина», 2005.
Авторские права защищены.(less)

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Sep 06, 2012 Sharla rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a really interesting perspective into the nuances of love, especially amidst two vastly different obsessive connections and the way they played out and intertwined. I've seen the movie before, and both the movie and book kept me enthralled in the story line, and unsure whether to feel empathy or disdain for the characters. Through the icky-ness of the tale, there are moments when you feel for the characters, and see the basic simple truth of what they are searching for is what we are al...more

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Aug 18, 2012 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: literary-fiction

I found this novel quite absorbing - I even missed my T stop one evening because of it. Notes On a Scandal is narrated by Barbara Covett, a lonely spinster schoolteacher who develops a close friendship with Sheba, the new art teacher at the high school where Barbara teaches. At the same time that this friendship develops, Sheba engages in a dangerous, not to mention illegal, affair with a 15 year old male student. Barbara is the only one in whom Sheba confides regarding this affair. As Barbara i...more

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Apr 30, 2012 Elliot Ratzman rated it 4 of 5 stars

Barbara, an “incubus”, a “chewy-faced old bitch”, as she is described, is the unreliable narrator of this deliciously addictive novel. Barbara befriends Sheba, the upper-class pottery teacher at a middle class British school who is caught in an absurd love affair with a teenage student. Though the movie was superb, the novel is an uncanny experience as we see life through Barbara’s cynical, razor-sharp eyes. Ever manipulative, she coaxes the reader into her world, even evoking our empathy. Her n...more

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Apr 17, 2012 Ian Mapp rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Excellent book. Very probably book of the year. Dont i say that rather frequently?

Written by Barbara, a very snide and lonely individual that does make a lot of sense and have some great observations, it tells the story of sheba.

Sheba is married, middle class, mother who starts work at a comprehensive and the gets sexually involved with a 15 year old.

We know that the scandal is out and sheba is left living with her now only friend, barbara.

We have to listen to barbara recant the story, which pro...more

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Apr 01, 2012 Sophie Dusting rated it 5 of 5 stars

Synopsis:

From the first day that the beguiling Sheba Hart joins the staff of St. George's, history teacher Barbara Covett is convinced that she has found a kindred spirit. Barbara's loyalty to her new friend is passionate and unstinting and when Sheda is discovered to be having illicit affair with one of her pupils, Barbara quickly elects herself as Sheba's chief defender. But all is not as it first seems in this dark story and, as Sheba will soon discover, a friend can be just as treacherous...more Synopsis:

From the first day that the beguiling Sheba Hart joins the staff of St. George's, history teacher Barbara Covett is convinced that she has found a kindred spirit. Barbara's loyalty to her new friend is passionate and unstinting and when Sheda is discovered to be having illicit affair with one of her pupils, Barbara quickly elects herself as Sheba's chief defender. But all is not as it first seems in this dark story and, as Sheba will soon discover, a friend can be just as treacherous as any lover.

The Verdict:

To give the whole premise of the book in the synopsis is a daring move. What's the point in reading the novel if you already know what happens? I am so glad I took the move of reading the novel. What a book. It is simply outstanding; I must say it is one of the best books I have ever read. At first glance it 'reads like a nose through someone else's bathroom cabinet: full of guilty insights and delicious snobbery' [The Independent]. Yet, as the plot unravels it develops more into the workings of unhealthy relationships that exposes more about human behaviour, morals and ethics. But it is by no account a boring observation of human interaction; it is succulent, compelling, fascinating and utterly obsessive - I read the book in a night!

The two lead, Sheba and Barbara, become more deplorable the more you read. As one darkens, so does the other. On the surface you can easily pinpoint the typical 'bad guy' yet this initial assumption, which I am sure is reason why some people don't bother to read the novel, soon feels completely unfounded. By the end of the novel I questioned who was meant to be the sinister character and this is where this book is brilliantly captivating as the vested interests and malice of human activity is presented with a funny, bitter and sadistic form.

The book isn't really about the setting in a literal sense more explaining the set of circumstances that lead one event to another. What is observed and dissected with the narrative is perfectly balanced throughout the novel. The actions and observations of the lead characters reveal more about the personalities of the characters involved than the information which the author has divulged in the text and that is a skill which too few authors can boast.

Unlike some previous novels I have reviewed, this book is not a try-hard. It does not deliver complex jargon and pompous language nor pages and pages describing how sunlight filters through the drapes. Erugh - yes it bores even writing it. [I won't name and shame too much, just look at some of the lower rated novels I've review in the blog archives and you'll get my point]. Heller didn't fall in the trap of thinning the plot and making something which the novel is not. She is true to the story and tells it with sheer brilliance.

Though I suppose the concept of child abuse and unhealthy relationships is not something that has never been told in literature before the method in Heller's approach to the subject is original and poignant.

In conclusion; I loved it. By far one of the best contemporary novels and I think it will become a vintage classic. 5 Stars. Books do not come better than this.

To read more, visit my blog: http://verdictbookreviews.blogspot.co...(less)

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Sep 26, 2011 Alicia rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was intrigued immediately, mainly because of the narrator. When Barbara started with her motives for writing the book I thought it was a bit odd.

I have so many things to write about this book that I don't know where to begin. But, I will attempt it!

First things first the characters: Though the book is about a scandal between a teacher and a student, it has an excellent plot because it focusses not so much on the affair itself, but the people and the aftermath. The story is not exactly linear,...more I was intrigued immediately, mainly because of the narrator. When Barbara started with her motives for writing the book I thought it was a bit odd.

I have so many things to write about this book that I don't know where to begin. But, I will attempt it!

First things first the characters: Though the book is about a scandal between a teacher and a student, it has an excellent plot because it focusses not so much on the affair itself, but the people and the aftermath. The story is not exactly linear, rather like this review I've noticed, I suppose in a way it can be interpreted as a stream of consciousness. Barbara decides when and how much information to feed the reader, thereby manipulating them subtly like she did Sheba.

Barbara: At first you think she is an extremely loyal friend. The points she raises in Sheba's defence are worth thinking about. For example, the idea of labelling every youth 16 and under as innocent based solely on their age is questioned because Connolly pursued Sheba. He knew what he was doing, and whilst Sheba should have stopped it, he wasn't exactly groomed by her. But, Barbara is an unreliable narrator because of her standoffish attitude. Perhaps her age has something to do with this, but she believes she is better than everyone else. This results in her being anti-social and hard to engage. When reading the book, she came across as interfering. She seemed unable to determine when to meddle and when to step back. For example, in the altercation between Sheba and her daughter, Barbara should have remained back. After all what has it to do with her? But, she threw herself into the situation and as far as I can read was not actually that much help. Her seemingly protective nature of Sheba started to become more and more motherly. Sheba is a 40 plus woman and yes she is naive and a little ditzy at times, but Barbara becomes increasingly meddlesome and increasingly...sinister.

Sheba: Oh Sheba, where to begin? Selfish? Self-centred? Perhaps. As far as unreliable narrators go, Barbara excels at it. She never allows the reader to explore Sheba's motives for allowing herself to be seduced. And yes, she was seduced by the 16 year old Connolly. She narrates it like, Sheba was a naive teenage girl eager to do anything to please her very first older boyfriend. Fact is, Sheba is a troubled character, her eldest daughter is slowly but surely going off the rails, her son has Downs, and her husband? Didn't seem that bad I grant you, but he is older than her. Could Sheba just be looking for an escape? Could she just be feeling unloved? Barbara seems so determined to protect Sheba but she only reveals the negative aspects of Sheba to the reader. For example, when her daughter runs away Barbara writes it as though all Sheba wanted to do was reach Connolly and shag him senseless. Maybe she did, but maybe Barbara just didn't write about all the frantic phone calls that Sheba tried to make to her daughter's phone? I don't know reader, I just know that I am dubious about Barbara.

The book must be read more than once, you need to break down each character and read them individually. Neither, are very likeable. Truth be told they deserve each other. But Barbara is the one to read, she is cold, calculating without realising it and altogether too sinister for me.

:)(less)

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Sep 06, 2011 Jools rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is one of those stories that you’ve read before. Or at least you think you have. A sexy new teacher, Sheba, joins the staff of a North London comprehensive school and within a few months has started an affair with one of her fifteen year old pupils, Steven. It would simply be a rehashing of tabloid fodder at best if that were the real story, and I’m not dishing up a spoiler there, you find out in the foreword what happens between the two of them and what happens once the affair is discovere...more This is one of those stories that you’ve read before. Or at least you think you have. A sexy new teacher, Sheba, joins the staff of a North London comprehensive school and within a few months has started an affair with one of her fifteen year old pupils, Steven. It would simply be a rehashing of tabloid fodder at best if that were the real story, and I’m not dishing up a spoiler there, you find out in the foreword what happens between the two of them and what happens once the affair is discovered. This isn’t a sort of Lolita in reverse, as it is told by a rather cold, brutally honest third party who endeavours to keep emotion to a minimum.

Sheba, the almost middle aged newly qualified teacher, and Barbara, the old stalwart of the staff room, could charitably be said to be an unlikely couple. If it were not for the bad decisions that Sheba makes, it’s doubtful that she and Barbara would be more than colleagues. Sheba is quite naive and trusting when it comes to Barbara, apparently not considering, from her outward behaviour at least, that Barbara might have an agenda of her own. As Sheba’s decisions cause her life to fall apart, Barbara’s manipulation intensifies. Barbara inserts herself into Sheba’s life, appointing herself as the “caretaker”, making sure that Sheba is looked after. The lengths that Barbara goes to in chronicling the affair, like making a time line with gold stars for significant events, are intrusive and leave the reader wondering what she intends to do with all her notes. Barbara’s bitterness at how her life has turned out propels her to interfere and take advantage of Sheba’s obsession with Steven and her inability to see that she’s really done anything wrong.

One of the subtexts of the novel is the different treatment that men and women get when they have relationships with teenagers under the age of consent. While men are seen as molesters, women like Sheba are portrayed as tarts in the newspapers. The only character who seems to think of Steven as a victim is his mother; other wise he is seen as being lucky. I found this aspect interesting because of course Steven is a victim, he is Sheba’s pupil and she has a responsibility to look after and protect him, not take advantage of him. Barbara doesn’t see Steven as being vulnerable but I think he was and that was why he sought out Sheba’s attention in the first place.

Heller’s depiction of how Barbara’s loneliness and disappointment in life manifests itself as a jealous, intrusive and controlling of a scandalous affair is brilliant, she has and acute ability to show the dark and pathologically disturbed side of human nature. She draws the reader in and makes us complicit with Barbara, the frightening thing is that we could be Barbara if we are not very careful. Notes on a Scandal is a confidently written novel, Heller has a lightness of touch that leaves you wondering just what is motivating all the characters. It would have been very easy to be heavy handed with this subject, handing down judgements of the flaws which run deep within the characters. I did find some of the descriptions of the moments between Sheba and Steven awkwardly written, but that could have been intentional.

I would recommend this book, with the warning that it is an uncomfortable and addictive read. Some people maybe offended or upset by the subject matter and if this is the case for you so naturally, if that is the case for you, I wouldn’t recommend it.(less)

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Aug 29, 2011 Helen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: british-authors, unreliable-narrators

Oh we all know this one but in case you don't, here is a tiny synopsis. Yummy and desirable teacher, Bathsheba "Sheba" Hart comes to teach a "prole" school and ends up having an illict affair with a 15 year old. This tale is told through the eyes of retired History teacher, Barbara Covett.

I do admit I watched the film but I must say the book is miles better. I have read this book at least 10 times and I am still looking for some stability in this book. There isn't any. Just like in the film, Bar...more

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Aug 12, 2011 Julianne Bailey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Blurb;
From the first day that Sheba Hart joins the staff of St George’s, history teacher Barbara Covett is convinced that she has found a kindred spirit. Babara’s loyalty to her new friend is passionate and unstinting and when Sheba is discovered to be having an illicit affair with one of her young pupils, Barbara quickly elects herself as Sheba’s chief defender. But all is not as it first seems in this dark story and, as Sheba will soon discover, a friend can be just as treacherous as any lover...more Blurb;
From the first day that Sheba Hart joins the staff of St George’s, history teacher Barbara Covett is convinced that she has found a kindred spirit. Babara’s loyalty to her new friend is passionate and unstinting and when Sheba is discovered to be having an illicit affair with one of her young pupils, Barbara quickly elects herself as Sheba’s chief defender. But all is not as it first seems in this dark story and, as Sheba will soon discover, a friend can be just as treacherous as any lover.
My review;
After reading the blurb of this book, of course it is inevitable that your mind wanders, wanting to know exactly how treacherous a friend can be. On first opening the book, it appears to be written as a diary, not something one expects, but all becomes clear as the narrator of the book reveals herself to be Barbara, one of the key characters within the novel. This also indicates that this book, rather than being written from the main characters point of view, or a third person perspective has been cleverly devised to be presented from an outsiders view of the situation but from a character who knows an awful lot more than they probably should. However, as I discovered this, I was sceptical about the book. I mean, how much can you write about a situation you’ve only heard of? That’s just been described to you? But it soon becomes clear that this is much more than that. The friendship held between the two characters of Barbara and Sheba has been created as strong enough that Barbara knows even the smallest of details which may not seem important.
The issues dealt with through this book are not ones that are often written about. With a very controversial storyline, Heller has planned her story carefully but has also not been afraid to go into detail within certain scenes. The book deals with the relationship between Sheba – a new teacher at the school and a year ten pupil Steven Connolly. What starts out as a school boys crush quickly turns into romance, and some may argue, love on Sheba’s behalf. However, towards the end of the novel this school boy crush soon turns sour and with Sheba’s feelings hurt and her heart full of confusion, Barbara presents the hurt she’s feeling by describing herself almost as Sheba’s carer. This is when it becomes obvious of the love that Barbara holds towards her friend. She cares enough to look after her when she’s at her worst, almost as a motherly figure. But it’s also obvious of the jealousy that she beholds for her friends lover and in a moment of anguish, she lets slip Sheba’s affair to another teacher at the school. And when Sheba finds this out, their relationship really is tested. The analysis of the character Barbara at this point can also be interpreted in different ways. On one hand, we could see that Barbra did this in a moment of madness and sincerely regretted her choices. However, it can also be seen that she did it out of spitefulness because Sheba was giving her love to another person and she was jealous. This can also be an emphasised conclusion as we learn about Barbara’s past friendships and how they turned out. Thus, we can also determine that Sheba is being naive where Barbara is concerned. One thing we can be certain of is Barbara’s dislike for the character of Connolly and her clear disapproval of their relationship, but for how long can she keep this a secret from Sheba?
The book is an overall good read, and is something I would recommend to many a reader. It has been reviewed by a number of different newspapers: the Daily Mail describes it as “Deliciously sinister”, the daily telegraph as “Superbly gripping. One of the most compelling books I’ve read in ages”. And whilst these descriptions and reviews are very agreeable on behalf of the story as a whole, I would, personally, criticise the Heller’s slightly careless, childish writing at times. She has become accustomed to writing sentences, and sometimes almost full paragraphs in brackets – an amateur mistake in my opinion. I would also discuss the view point. Though the view point from Barbara is different, allowing the reader to interact with the characters in a form that is not often seen, I would have liked to have seen more of the story from Sheba’s– or even Connoly’s - point of view as I just don’t think there is enough description of their relationship and how it impacted their lives. Sheba being a married woman with a family was barely touched on. The characters were introduced almost instantly as if they were well known. You don’t get to learn of how they feel for each other, their real relationships’. We are simply presented with a distorted view from Barbara – a character jealous of her friend.
However, besides these criticisms, the book cleverly deals with different aspects of love – family, friendship and sexual relationships. The storyline is compelling and really does draw you in and encourage you to continue reading to the end, making you want to know what happens. Do they get found out? How? What will he do? What will she do? All questions that are answered as you continue to read.
I would award this book a 3 out of 5. A fantastic storyline, however, a slightly careless writer but definitely worth a read!
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About Zoë Heller

Zoe Heller was born in London in 1965 and educated at Oxford University and Columbia University, New York. She is a journalist who, after writing book reviews for various newspapers, became a feature writer for The Independent. She wrote a weekly confessional column for the Sunday Times for four years, but now writes for the Daily Telegraph and earned the title 'Columnist of the Year' in 2002.

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“Being alone is not the most awful thing in the world. You visit your museums and cultivate your interests and remind yourself how lucky you are not to be one of those spindly Sudanese children with flies beading their mouths. You make out To Do lists - reorganise linen cupboard, learn two sonnets. You dole out little treats to yourself - slices of ice-cream cake, concerts at Wigmore Hall. And then, every once in a while, you wake up and gaze out of the window at another bloody daybreak, and think, I cannot do this anymore. I cannot pull myself together again and spend the next fifteen hours of wakefulness fending off the fact of my own misery.

People like Sheba think that they know what it's like to be lonely. They cast their minds back to the time they broke up with a boyfriend in 1975 and endured a whole month before meeting someone new. Or the week they spent in a Bavarian steel town when they were fifteen years old, visiting their greasy-haired German pen pal and discovering that her hand-writing was the best thing about her. But about the drip drip of long-haul, no-end-in-sight solitude, they know nothing. They don't know what it is to construct an entire weekend around a visit to the laundrette. Or to sit in a darkened flat on Halloween night, because you can't bear to expose your bleak evening to a crowd of jeering trick-or-treaters. Or to have the librarian smile pityingly and say, ‘Goodness, you're a quick reader!’ when you bring back seven books, read from cover to cover, a week after taking them out. They don't know what it is to be so chronically untouched that the accidental brush of a bus conductor's hand on your shoulder sends a jolt of longing straight to your groin. I have sat on park benches and trains and schoolroom chairs, feeling the great store of unused, objectless love sitting in my belly like a stone until I was sure I would cry out and fall, flailing, to the ground. About all of this, Sheba and her like have no clue.” — 117 people liked it

“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.” — 59 people liked it

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13258.What_Was_She_Thinking_Notes_on_a_Scandal_?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317792264l/13258.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13258.What_Was_She_Thinking_Notes_on_a_Scandal_?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]What Was She Thinking? [Notes on a Scandal] by Zoë Heller[/url]

What Was She Thinking? [Notes on a Scandal]

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