When a lonely schoolteacher writes an account of her friend’s affair, she reveals more than she intends in Zoë Heller’s gripping psychological drama.

When Sheba joins St George’s as the new art teacher, fellow teacher Barbara senses the possibility of a friendship. But as Barbara and Sheba’s relationship develops, another does as well: Sheba has begun a sexual affair with an underage male pupil. When it comes to light and Sheba falls prey to the inevitable media circus, Barbara decides to write an account in her friend’s defence - an account that reveals not only Sheba’s secrets but her own.

Shortlisted
The Man Booker Prize 2003
Published by
Viking
Publication date

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Zoë Heller

Zoë Heller

About the Author

Zoë Heller is the author of three novels, Everything You Know, Notes on a Scandal and The Believers.
More about Zoë Heller