What Was She Thinking? (2003) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Summary edit see section history

Characters/People edit see section history

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• Barbara Covett: The main character and the narrator. An old woman working as the head of the history department at St. George's School. She keeps a diary of her life and interaction with Sheba. She is middle class, she use to be lower class when she was a child.
• Bathsheba Hart: Bathsheba Hart, a teacher of Art at St. Georges' School. She has a affair with a student. She is upper class.
• Richard Hart: Bathsheba's husband and former tutor at university. He is considerably older than Bathsheba.
• Polly Hart: Bathsheba's daughter.
• Ben Hart: Bathsheba's son who was born with down's syndrome
• Sue Hodge: A dramatic arts teacher at St. George's who has a hostile relationship with Barbara but likes Sheba.
• Sandy Pabblem: Headmaster at St. George's
• Brian Bangs: A nervous, socially awkward teacher at St. George's School.
• Ted Mawson: Deputy head at St. George's School.
• Steven Connolly: A fifteen year old boy who pursues Bathsheba, later they commit to an affair. He is lower class.
• Bill Rumer: Head of chemistry at St. George's
• Antonia Robinson: An English literature teacher at St. George's
• Mrs. Taylor: Sheba's mother, lives in Scotland
• Jennifer: Barbara's former friend
• Marjorie: Barbara's sister, religious
• Eddie: Sheba's brother, Sheba and Barbara are staying at his place while they are in India
• Dierdre Rickman: St. Geroge's school secretary
• Elaine Clifford: An alumni teacher at St. George's
• Portia: Barbara's cat.

Quotes edit see section history

• “I know who I am. If people wish to make up lurid stories about me, that is their affair.”

  Barbara Covett

• “It is bizarre, really, that spinsterhood is considered the uniquely pathetic destiny, when bachelors are the ones so fatally ill-equipped for a spouseless life.”

  Barbara Covett

• “We are bound by the secrets we share”

• “When you live alone, your furnishings, your possessions, are always confronting you with the thinness of your existence.”

  Barbara Covett

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• St. George's School.: The school at which the main characters teach at or attend.
• London: The city of which the book is set in. Zone 2 specifically.
• Hampstead Heath: Where Connelly and Bathsheba initially start their affair.
• Highgate: The catchment for students at St. George's School.

First Sentence edit see section history

Table of Contents edit see section history

List the chapters of this book.

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

• Obsession: Describe this theme.
• Control
• sexual desires

Series & Lists edit see section history

Preceded by A Life's Work, and followed by Platform.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Zoë Heller (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Awards edit see section history

• British Book Award (2003: Literary Fiction Award)
• Man Booker Prize (Finalist, 2003: Fiction, Shortlist)

Classification edit see section history

• Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
• Dewey: 823.914

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Add a note to help parents select a book for a child.

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Literature & Fiction › Literary
• Books › Literature & Fiction › Contemporary

Movie Connections edit see section history

• Notes on a Scandal (IMDb)

More Books Like This edit see section history