Book Reviews of What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Love this book. The characters are written with so much depth. It kept me reading long after I should have gone to bed.

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.

Read it for book club and now i'm done with it. I was disaapointed by the ending, but its a good story.

This is currently being made into a movie with Cate Blanchett.

Interesting...thought provoking.

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.

intense

The 'end' of the book is just the beginning.

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.

Thought provoking but disappointing

Very enjoyable, witty novel. It is at times funny and other moments heart wrenching. A fairly quick read, and enjoyable.