A review by mindoflex
Notes on a Scandal by Zoë Heller

challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Notes on a Scandal is an unsettling exploration of predatory relationships. The most obvious is between Sheba, a teacher, and her underage student, Connolly, but just as disturbing is Barbara’s obsessive fixation on Sheba. While Barbara’s romantic feelings are never confirmed, they’re strongly implied—her jealousy mirrors a past friendship where she felt similarly possessive. At times, her control over Sheba feels almost maternal, making their dynamic even more insidious.

The novel subverts expectations by portraying Sheba—despite her wrongdoing—as a victim in her own way, manipulated and isolated by Barbara. Barbara also frames Connolly as the pursuer, further complicating the power dynamics. But as an unreliable narrator, her version of events is deeply biased, shaped by jealousy and control, making it difficult to trust any single perspective.
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