May Meeting - Notes on a Scandal by Zoë Kate Hinde Heller

              May 23 Meeting 

The Book

Source: Storytel

Notes on a Scandal (What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal in the U.S.) is a 2003 novel by Zoë Heller. It is about a female teacher at a London comprehensive school who begins an affair with an underage pupil. Heller said to The Observer in 2003 that the real life controversy of American middle-school teacher Mary Kay LeTourneau's affair with a student was the inspiration for the novel.

Notes on a Scandal is a tightly constructed psychological novel that delves into themes of loneliness, obsession, and moral complexity. Set in a North London secondary school, the story is narrated by Barbara Covett, a solitary and sharp-witted teacher who develops a deep attachment to her new colleague, Sheba Hart. As Sheba’s private life begins to unravel, Barbara finds herself increasingly involved, documenting events with a tone that is both intimate and unsettling.

The novel draws on literary influences such as The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark and the tradition of the unreliable narrator. Barbara’s voice is a central force in the story—intelligent, caustic, and quietly manipulative—creating an atmosphere of psychological tension and ambiguity. The reader is compelled to question not only Sheba’s choices, but also Barbara’s motives and grasp on reality.

Upon release, Notes on a Scandal was generally well-received among the British press.The novel was shortlisted for the 2003 Man Booker Prize and placed second for the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award. The Guardian ranked What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal #70 in their list of 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. The novel was translated into several languages, including French, Italian, Spanish and German.

The 2006 film adaptation, featuring Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, brought the novel even greater public attention and received four Academy Award nominations, including nominations for Dench and Blanchett.

YouTube - Notes On A Scandal - Trailer

This gripping and provocative story remains one of Heller’s most influential works, cementing her reputation as a bold and intelligent voice in contemporary British literature.

The Author

Source: Wikipedia

Zoë Kate Hinde Heller is a British novelist and journalist, best known for her sharp, psychologically insightful prose and complex characters. Born in London in 1965, she studied English at Oxford University and later earned a master's degree in Marxist theory from Columbia University. Her early career was rooted in journalism, writing columns and criticism for publications such as The Independent, The Sunday Times, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker.

Heller's transition into fiction was marked by the publication of her debut novel, Everything You Know (1999), a darkly comic exploration of identity and redemption. This was followed by Notes on a Scandal (2003), a gripping psychological thriller that brought her international acclaim. The novel, which delves into obsession, loneliness, and betrayal through the lens of a scandalous teacher-student affair, was shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize and later adapted into an Academy Award-nominated film starring Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett. The book’s success cemented Heller's reputation as one of Britain’s most compelling contemporary novelists.

In 2008, she published The Believers, a satirical family drama set in New York, further showcasing her talent for dissecting moral dilemmas and human frailty with wit and precision.

Heller is known for her elegant, incisive prose and her fearless engagement with controversial themes. She divides her time between the UK and the United States and continues to contribute essays and criticism to various literary publications.

Useful Links about Zoe Heller

> Articles for The NewYorker

YouTube - 2013: Notes on a Scandal - Interview with the Author

NOTES ON A SCANDAL: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

General Themes & Narrative Style

1. Unreliable Narration – How does Barbara’s perspective shape our understanding of

Sheba and the scandal? Do you think she is a reliable narrator, or does she

manipulate the reader?

2. Power and Manipulation – Who do you think holds the most power in the

novel—Sheba, Barbara, or someone else? How do power dynamics shift throughout

the story?

3. Obsession and Loneliness – How does Barbara’s intense focus on Sheba reflect

her own isolation? Do you think her feelings stem from love, control, or something

else?

4. Morality and Justification – Do any characters justify their actions in ways that

make them seem more understandable? Do you think Heller wants us to sympathize

with them?

The Affair & Its Consequences

5. Ethical Dilemmas – Sheba’s affair with Steven is morally and legally wrong, but did

you ever feel sympathy for her? Why or why not?

6. Steven Connolly’s Role and Agency – How much responsibility does Steven bear

in the affair? Do you see him as a victim, a manipulator, or something in between?

How does his background and class status influence how others perceive his role in

the scandal?

7. The Role of Scandal – How does the novel explore the idea of public shame and

private guilt? Do you think Sheba deserves her punishment?

Character Relationships & Personal Motivations

8. Richard’s Role as a Husband – How does Sheba’s marriage to Richard contribute

to her decisions and vulnerabilities? Do you think their significant age gap plays a

role in the choices she makes?

9. Family Dynamics and Influence – How does Sheba’s family—particularly her

mother, brother, and children—shape her sense of self and the choices she makes?

Do you think her upbringing and family expectations contributed to her actions in the

novel?

10. Friendship vs. Possession – How does Barbara define friendship? Do you think

Sheba was ever truly her friend, or was their relationship based on something else?

Broader Social Commentary

11. Gender and Judgment – Do you think the way Sheba is judged by society would be

different if she were a man? How does the novel comment on gender and scandal?

12. Role of Class and Privilege – How does Sheba’s privileged background affect the

way she perceives her own actions and the consequences she faces?

13. Societal Expectations and Punishment – How does the novel critique the way

society punishes certain transgressions? Do you think the media, the school, or

Sheba’s family reacted fairly to her scandal?

Symbolism & Ending

14. The Role of Art and Creativity – Sheba is an art teacher, yet she struggles to create

meaningful work of her own. How does this reflect her character and the choices she

makes?

15. The Ending – What do you think of the book’s ending? Did it feel inevitable, and

what do you think will happen to Barbara and Sheba next?