Zoë Heller: What Was She Thinking: Notes on a Scandal

March 2007 Book of the Month

More than a decade ago, Kazuo Ishiguro wowed readers with The Remains of the Day, a novel requiring readers to see past the self-deceptions of an uppity English narrator to understand the true significance of the story. In the same vein, Zoë Heller offers a riveting story of friendship, jealousy, and betrayal, with a narrator as unreliable as Ishiguro's infamous butler.
Heller's narrator is Barbara Covett, a British schoolteacher who lives a quiet, solitary life with an aging cat as her sole companion. For reasons she cannot comprehend, Barbara has never been good at making friends. But she is drawn to Sheba, a pretty new pottery teacher, and jealously tries to edge out the other teachers to win Sheba's friendship. When Sheba begins an inappropriate relationship with a young male student, it is Barbara in whom she confides. Soon, Barbara begins a written account of Sheba's illicit affair, detailing the actions of a woman caught in the grip of an obsession larger than herself.

As Barbara continues to infiltrate Sheba's life, their friendship acquires a dangerous undercurrent. And although the book title ostensibly refers to Sheba, readers might ask themselves the same question of Barbara, as this psychologically rich, complex tale unfolds. In penning her wickedly wonderful second novel, Zoë Heller certainly had her head squarely on her shoulders.

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Just received the book from amazon today. I must confess that I was late to the whole book selection process for march. I didn’t participate in the vote and only checked it this past week to see which book won. On Oscar night, I noticed that the film version received some nominations and that was enough to pique my interest to participate in the discussion.

Just read the foreward, I do admire hire how it is written in a “after the fact” kind of way. Often times, that isn’t the case. I’m enjoying the writing style in this book, it’s fresh and intelligent. Barbara’s character is easy to identify in the reader’s mind and the writing style definitely fits her character. I was struck by the inclusion of class difference in regards to social norms of conversation. Barbara credits Sheba’s openness with being from an upper-class environment. I’m not aware if the author is correct in this regard, I’ve generally observed that “openness” in conversation decreases with the amount of education a person has. In all reality, it’s probably the product of a young woman who is naïve.

The first chapter was a quick read. I liked the description of the faculty lounge with it's worn furniture and equally worn out teachers. Heller must have done her homework, I can attest that the lounge in the afternoon is not for the weary.

By far, the most amusing, if not accurate description in chapter one, was of how Sheba dutifully made her lesson plans and who was determined that it would be "fun." Such utopian idealism is instilled during university training. It's also a false vision promoted by different teaching texts and more nauseatingly, popular films which give a completely false image of what teaching is like. Everyone starts out with stars in their eyes, but they then learn that you definitely have to have some grit and a realpolitik attitude, or you'll never make it.

I have chapter two done as well, though I'll wait until others contribute. This will definitely be a good page turner.

I loved this book! Even though I suggested it as a potential discussion topic, I wasn't sure whether it would be a good read or not. To say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. It's too early to tell whether Notes On a Scandal is one of the best books I'll have read this year, but as of now it's certainly a recent favorite of mine. I thought it was intriguing, well-written, and even oddly funny in some parts (notably Barbara's summary of her siblings' religious decor).

Only complaint: I think Heller could have done more with the ending. To me, the ending felt very abrupt and incomplete. Maybe that was intentional but in any event I think the novel could have went on for several more pages.

I read this last year on a recommendation from a friend, and I really enjoyed it. I won't say too much because I'm not sure if everyone has read it yet, but I initially felt sorry for the narrator because her life was so empty. Ultimately, though, I loved to hate her snobbery, pushiness, self-pity, and judgmentalism (is that a word?).

Blazing on through the book. I like the intelligent writing, it definitely fits Barbara's character to a "T." My lone criticism is that none of the other characters are truly distinguished from Babs in that regard. Even Connolly sounsd as if he were in The Great Gatsby or related to Babs. Twain did such a wonderful job in distinguishing characters and their particular linguistic oddities, Heller has a far way to go in that regard.

Still reading and ejoying, more to come.

Enjoyable read. The ending could have been perhaps a little better. The characterization with respect to class was interesting and occasionally a little off-putting. I was wondering by the end who was more disturbed, Sheba or Barbara.

I enjoyed this one when I read it a few months ago, though like many of you I did find the ending a little rushed and the book as a whole wasn't that meaty from a plot point of view.

I quite enjoyed the Heller wrote the malipulative, shallow and biased narrator who always had to express her opinion on what her friend should and shouldn't have done whilst remaining vunerable and capable of making mistakes. It did remind me of the way a local gossip works.

Even Connolly sounsd as if he were in The Great Gatsby or related to Babs. Twain did such a wonderful job in distinguishing characters and their particular linguistic oddities, Heller has a far way to go in that regard.

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Hmm, I didn't notice anything peculiar about Connolly's dialogue. Or anyone else's for that matter... I didn't have a problem with how Heller wrote their dialogue. Interesting observation.

Gotta agree with cmb, the ending came on rather sudden, which was out of sync with the rest of the work. I was very shocked at the end that Babs's own sexuality is an interesting under currentin the book. The running of her fingers down Sheba's arm exercise and the rumors about her previously that she commented on allude to this. In the very end, I couldn't help but wonder if her and Sheba hadn't taken up together for reasons other than Babs's desire to "support" Sheba. I really enjoyed this book, it was definitely a good selection for the month.

I have enjoyed comments by other members thus far, it was interesting to read them and then to anticipate what they commented upon. Can't wait to re-read select portions if and when others chime in.

I'm going to go get the book today.
I'm excited it sounds kind of good!

Ummmm, Bueller?.....Bueller?........Bueller?.......

Ten votes to select a book and everyone is AWOL?

well, I am happy to discuss, but I am a little fuzzy on the criteria for discussion.

I found Barbara's questioning sexuality to be quite present throughout the work.

I also found the persistence of class distinction to be interesting. I am painfully American so I have little experience with that sort of thing, so I did wonder if that was still prevelant.

I found it fascinating toward the end when the escort for Ben was introduced, and that Sheba all but verbalized that Richard has done the same thing she does, but of course he waits till there isn't a question of legality.

Ooo I just finished and that had to be one of the best books I've ever read. But it seems like zoe just wanted to get it over with because the ending was sort of sudden. All in all though I enjoyed it.

In thinking about the book now, I can't help but laugh about Principal Pabblem. Apt naming if you ask me.

Sounds like a great book ill have to check it out

I've noticed that these BOTM "discussions" never really go anywhere. I was wondering: do you think it would be helpful to post a couple of questions at the beginning of the thread pertaining to the book in order to get the conversation rolling?

Just a thought...

I think that would be quite helpful.

I tried going to the Library today to get it but they didnt have it
Ill have to try somewhere else

Sara1990 said:

I tried going to the Library today to get it but they didnt have it
Ill have to try somewhere else

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Did you try inter-library loan? Just a thought.

I've just started this today, hope to finish it by the weekend.