Review : Notes on a Scandal

Posted by on June 29, 2010 12:25 am in 4.5 stars reads | 8 comments

Notes on a Scandal by Zoë Heller
Pages : 258
Genre : Fiction
Stand Alone
My Rating :

From the back of the book :

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 not only Sheba’s secrets, but also her own.

What can I say about this book? I don’t think my simple words can do justice to Heller’s brilliant writing or to the complexity of her characters. Following Barbara and Sheba’s story was both fascinating and troubling at the same time, and I have loved every word of this beautiful journey.

The book is introduced as a narration of Sheba’s affair, told by her (close) friend Barbara. As the story progresses though, the reader discovers this is as much – if not more – a revelation of Barbara’s character. She is quite honest in her observations of others (I think blunt is the right word here!), candidly sharing all of her thoughts. Through her words, we can perceive how awkward she socially is, but also how strong her passion for Sheba is, making it clear that there is something, well, not exactly normal with this woman.

Mostly, what stood out for me was Barbara’s loneliness and the desperation that came with the idea of getting hold alone. I have rarely seen such an accurate description of what a solitary life might be, so beautiful and true that I had to recollect my thoughts a couple of times through the reading. Here’s a quote I really liked, depicting exactly that :

When you live alone, your furnishings, your possessions, are always confronting you with the thinness of your existence. You know with painful accuracy the provenance of everything you touch and the last time you touched it. The five little cushions on your sofa stay plumped and leaning at their jaunty angle for months at a time unless you theatrically muss them.  […] Sitting in Sheba’s house – studying the mingled detritus of its several inhabitants – I could see what a relief it might be to let your own meagre effects be joined with other people’s. (p. 104)

Her friendship with Sheba seemed a bit surprising, for as blunt as Barbara is, Sheba never says something that could hurt someone else. In fact, except for after the events, I don’t think she ever says anything negative. Their opposite personalities seemed to underline Barbara’s obsession even more. Like Amanda said in her recent review, it is never said out loud, but Barbara’s feelings definitely give the impression to be more than friendship.

Also, because the author is so precise in her description of the characters, I found them to be not exactly likable – and I do mean that in a good way! Sheba and Barbara are anything but one dimensional characters, which means that we hear about their qualities and their faults, and that their faults are not qualities in disguise. They were not characters you’d want to hang out with because they’re so cool and all; instead, they were very realistic and I could recognize myself a little in them.

The authors also offers some more thoughts on the moral aspects of the affair : how much is Sheba really in the wrong? What are Barbara’s real motivations? There is certainly a lot to think about and I love a book that asks questions I don’t really have an answer for (also, definitely book club material!) There is only one aspect that I wish the author talked about more : I would have loved to know what Sheba thought of the fact that her young lover was about the same age as her daughter? Or maybe the author’s silence is just supposed to point at the fact that Sheba was so lost in her affair that she had lost connection with this part of her reality?

In conclusion, I loved Notes on a Scandal and I am now looking forward to both seeing the movie and reading Heller’s The Believers.

8 Comments

  1. While I loved this book and movie, I did not like Heller’s Believers. It was a rare DNF for me.

  2. One of the things I really admired about The Believers (haven’t read this one… yet!) is how Heller made me interested in the characters, even though they were unlikeable. I think that requires a lot of skill.

    I’m so glad you enjoyed this one; I’m really looking forward to it!

  3. Wow! I’ve never heard of this book, but you’ve really made me want to read it with your fantastic review.

  4. What I thought was very interesting was the implication at the end that Richard – much older than Sheba – was dating a girl not much older than Steven, just old enough to be legal. Their age gap was even wider. I love this juxtaposition.

  5. I loved this book and the film, but like Lenore The Believers was a DNF for me.

  6. I thought this was brilliant, too. How rare a writer that gives us such unlikeable characters and still make us love the book.

  7. I’ve never heard of this book before, but it sounds amazing. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention. I’m definitely going to check it out.

  8. I’ve read this book and The Believers…

    Loved the movie, too…Cate Blanchett is amazing, and so is Judi Dent.

    In fact, I’m now pulling it off my shelf to watch it again! Thanks…

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