Review by Maggie Perkovic 16th October 2008:
This is an engrossing book telling of an affair between a school teacher, Sheba, and her pupil 15yr old Steven. Sheba has just started the new school term in a north London comprehensive. She has high ideals but no sense of distance or discipline to her pupils. With a family life of her own, an older husband, troublesome teenage daughter and down's syndrome son, she's lost a little of the spark and romance in her life.. What makes the story different is it is recounted by her colleague, Barbara, a senior teacher approaching retirement. We can see that although disapproving of the liaison, Barbara enjoys being her confidante and indeed has quite a deep affection for the confused and misguided Sheba. But devastation is bound to follow and her behaviour is responsible for the inevitable unhappy conclusion.
Well written and enthralling. It was released as a film early in 2007 starring Judi Dench & Cate Blanchett.
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