Helpful Score: 8
I found this book rather abrupt and, sorry to say, pointless. It is written like a memoir and the scandalous headline could very well come from the modern day tabloids. However, this book did too good a job reining in the emotions. There's many subjects implied but never elaborated (for example, the jealousy the narrator feels when Sheba befriends another female teacher) and what we get is the antiseptic story of a teacher having relations with a minor. There's not even a clear picture of why the narrator decides she is going to stick by Sheba, or even if she plans to continue to stick with her until the scandal dies down.
Helpful Score: 2
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, have not seen the movie but will. Riveting, & very well written. Recommended.
Helpful Score: 2
Very interesting and wickedly funny narrative of a scandal involving a teacher/pupil relationship. Basis of the upcoming movie with Cate Blanchette. I really enjoyed it - finished it in one day.
Brandon J. (bran-flakes14) reviewed What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal on + 72 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is a nicely-written account of two fictional, yet disturbing, relationships: one between a schoolteacher and her 15 year old student, and the other between a reclusive and lonely older teacher and the younger teacher having the affair. Written from the older teacher, Barbara Covett's, point of view and presented as a chronicle of the illegal affair, "What Was She Thinking?" analyzes the role that sensational stories have on the public, yet the truly more engaging story involves Covett's unfolding obsession over the younger woman. A good study on the effects of loneliness with a horridly disturbing, yet oddly emotional, ending, that is well worth reading. The explosively-acted film version starring Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett is a marvel, too!
Eileen G. (dulcimerlady) reviewed What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal on + 334 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I found this novel a compulsive read, very well written, an unusual twist on a scandal between a teacher and her teenage student, set in London. This talented writer's insights are truly spellbinding and spot-on.
Helpful Score: 2
Love this book. The characters are written with so much depth. It kept me reading long after I should have gone to bed.
Incredibly well-written. First person narrative, compact, matter of fact writing style. Though the story is about a younger teacher/pupil liaison, it's actually about an older teacher exacting discipline.
Helpful Score: 1
I thought this book was only okay. It was a best-seller and was made into a movie, so I thought it was going to be really good, but I was rather disappointed. Maybe I missed the nuances or it was over my head, but I thout it was neither "compelling" nor "brilliant" as some of the reviews put it. It wasn't terrible, just not as good as I was expecting. I think amusing is a better description, and it was well written, just not the "literary page turner" it was touted to be on the cover.
Helpful Score: 1
You really don't want to like Sheba, but her story as told by her blah teacher friend is one that captures your interest and in the end you may not like her still (and probably won't), but you'll understand her better. A slow read, but worth it. I wouldn't read it twice, but I'm glad I read it once!
Helpful Score: 1
A book that captures you with its intrigue, suspense, and insight into human nature. You learn as much about the rather bland narrator as you do about the main character, Sheba, who is a schoolteacher in love with one of her own students. I'd say more, but am afraid of giving too much away. Suffice it to say, this was quite a page-turner.
Thought provoking but disappointing
Chris S. (smallbutfeisty) reviewed What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal on + 36 more book reviews
I found this book a fast read, but disappointing in the end. I saw no growth in the characters, no evolution, but rather felt the story to be relatively stagnant.
Brilliant book - unique style and untterly unputdownable.
Schoolteacher Barbara Covett has led a solitary existence. The new art teacher, Sheba Hart, becomes a friend and opens Barbara's life. But Sheba becomes sexually involved with a male student, and the legal and media worlds enter the picture. This book is Barbara's narrative and she reveals as much about herself as about Sheba.
The movie is pretty much true to the book. Judi Dench does make the movie, better than the book. This is an easy read, intriguing enough to keep you up reading.
Heather H. (amazondotblonde) reviewed What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal on + 59 more book reviews
An intersting twist on something I find morally repulsive.
Interesting...thought provoking.
Jennifer C. (JennTCamp) reviewed What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal on + 46 more book reviews
Interesting perspective from an insider into a scandal.
I read some of the reviews on this book and they were all positive, people saying they really enjoyed the book. I was not as impressed. I didn't think the book was bad, but I didn't think it was that great either. It was an interesting subject and the relationship between the narrator Barbara and Sheba was strange. I thought that relationship was more interesting to read about than the relationship between Sheba and her student. Some reviews mentioned a twist at the end, but I didn't get it.
Melissa A. (bookwormmelissa) reviewed What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal on + 10 more book reviews
15 year old boy seduces teacher. This is from the point of view of teachers old spinster best friend. I like the writers style but the story was boring.
Lisa T. (tower-of-power) reviewed What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal on + 3 more book reviews
Read it for book club and now i'm done with it. I was disaapointed by the ending, but its a good story.
Lisa S. (PepperRidgewood) reviewed What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal on + 13 more book reviews
This is currently being made into a movie with Cate Blanchett.
The 'end' of the book is just the beginning.
Very enjoyable, witty novel. It is at times funny and other moments heart wrenching. A fairly quick read, and enjoyable.
