Aoife (Belgium) (2006/08/11): Chilling tale of a schoolteacher's affair with a teenage boy - and the best friend who loyally stands by her... trimmus (Sweden) (2009/06/27): This book is interesting on several levels. It's an entertaining literary ride, for one. Beneath its face value, though, lies a multitude of contemporary cultural issues. Like for example the western european ideas of female versus male sexuality, gender power structures, general power relations (hierarchies) in professional and private life, etc, etc. Unlike other reviewers I see no black or white in this story, but only shades of grey, and I see no reason to put my sympathies with any of the main characters. They are ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, and perhaps you could even recognise yourself in one of them. The plot should have something to offer for most. Grace Hall (United Kingdom) (2011/05/29): When the new teacher first arrives, Barbara immediately senses that this woman will be different from the rest of her staff-room colleagues. But Barbara is not the only one to feel that Sheba is special, and before too long Sheba is involved in an illicit affair with a pupil. Barbara finds the relationship abhorrent, of course, but she is the only adult in whom Sheba can properly confide. So when the liaison is found out and Sheba's life falls apart, Barbara is there...
