Notes on a Scandal
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2003
112
Novel • Fiction
London, England • 2000s
2003
Adult
18+ years
Notes on a Scandal by Zoë Heller, published in 2003 and shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, revolves around Barbara Covett, a lonely, cynical history teacher who recounts the affair of her colleague, art teacher Sheba Hart, with a 15-year-old student. As the story progresses, it reveals Barbara's obsessive and manipulative nature, ultimately focusing on her unhealthy fixation on Sheba rather than the scandal itself. Descriptions of relationships involving significant age differences and power imbalances appear in the book.
Mysterious
Unnerving
Dark
Contemplative
Emotional
25,949 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
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Zoë Heller’s Notes on a Scandal is widely praised for its sharp, incisive prose and nuanced character portrayals, offering a gripping psychological narrative. Critics appreciate Heller's exploration of obsession and morality. Some, however, find the darker themes unsettling and the characters unsympathetic. Overall, it’s a compelling, thought-provoking read.
Readers who enjoy psychological dramas and complex character studies like The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins and The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith will be captivated by Notes on a Scandal by Zoë Heller. They will appreciate its dark, introspective narrative and morally ambiguous characters.
25,949 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
112
Novel • Fiction
London, England • 2000s
2003
Adult
18+ years
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