What Was She Thinking? is about an enigmatic art teacher named Sheba who becomes entangled in an illicit affair with a 15-year-old student. The story delves into the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of her actions on her family, colleagues, and herself.
Table of Content
What Was She Thinking? Book Summary
Sheba Hart is an art teacher at St. George's School for Girls, where she meets and is drawn to the charismatic 15-year-old student Steven Connolly. Their relationship takes a scandalous turn when it becomes a full-blown affair.
Barbara Covett, a history teacher and Sheba's colleague, becomes both intrigued and disapproving of Sheba's actions. She begins to document their lives in a diary and subtly manipulates Sheba, hoping that their friendship will deepen.
Sheba's husband Richard, a much older man, is blissfully unaware of his wife's infidelity. Their marital life is disrupted by the affair, and Sheba's children also become entangled in the complex web of deceit.
As the affair continues, Sheba's emotions oscillate between guilt and a sense of liberation. Steven, volatile and demanding, exerts control over her, threatening to expose their relationship to the world.
Barbara's schemes to keep Sheba close to her lead to a confrontation. Sheba discovers Barbara's diary and the extent to which her life has been surveilled and manipulated. Tensions rise between them, revealing the depth of Sheba's isolation.
A public scandal erupts when Sheba succumbs to Steven's pressure and is discovered in an intimate moment with him. The school, their colleagues, and the media become involved, casting judgment on Sheba's actions.
Sheba's personal life unravels as she loses her job, her marriage, and the respect of those around her. The once-quiet existence she led is shattered, and she is left to confront the consequences of her choices.
Barbara, in a surprising twist, offers Sheba a place to stay after her eviction. Sheba, now completely dependent on her former colleague, endures Barbara's increasingly possessive behavior.
Sheba's children, especially her son Ben, struggle to understand and forgive their mother. The impact of the affair on their family is profound.
Sheba's character is complex, and the story explores themes of loneliness, desire, and the consequences of forbidden love. The intense psychological drama portrays the fragility of human relationships and the capacity for both loyalty and betrayal.
As the narrative unfolds, the reader is taken on a journey through Sheba's moral and emotional turmoil. The story is a poignant examination of societal expectations and personal freedom.
What Was She Thinking? offers a raw and unapologetic view of human nature, laying bare the repercussions of one woman's actions on her life and the lives of those around her.
What Was She Thinking? Quotes
- The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.
- They were both like aging film stars, desperate to be back in the public eye.
- It's funny how you never think about who you are until you don't have anything to be.
What Was She Thinking? Ending Explained
At the end of What Was She Thinking?, Sheba's life has been irrevocably changed by the affair and its fallout.
She finds herself living with Barbara, her former colleague and now seemingly her only friend. Sheba's relationship with Barbara is a complex mix of resentment and dependence.
As the story concludes, Sheba is left to contemplate the choices she has made and the impact they have had on her family and her own sense of self.
Characters in book What Was She Thinking?
- Sheba Hart: The central character, an art teacher who becomes involved in a scandalous affair with her student. She is complex and conflicted, often making choices that have far-reaching consequences.
- Barbara Covett: A cynical and lonely history teacher who becomes both a confidante and an antagonist to Sheba. Her obsession with Sheba's life leads her to take drastic actions.
- Richard Hart: Sheba's older husband, a benevolent man who is a devoted father to their two children. His discovery of Sheba's affair with the student causes upheaval in their marriage.
- Steven Connolly: The 15-year-old student who seduces Sheba. He is manipulative and deeply troubled, with a complex family background.
- Ben Hart: Sheba's teenage son, who is perceptive and deeply affected by his mother's choices.
- Lucy and Polly Hart: Sheba's daughters, who have to deal with the fallout of their mother's affair.
- Headmaster Pabblem: The headmaster of the school where Sheba and Barbara work, who is caught in the middle of the scandal.
Key Lessons
- Consequences of Choices: Every choice we make can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only our own lives but also the lives of those close to us.
- Seeking Understanding: Understanding the motivations and actions of others can lead to empathy and may help in healing relationships, or at least in letting go of bitterness and resentment.
- Personal Freedom: The pursuit of personal freedom can be empowering, but it often comes with a price that must be carefully considered.
My Personal Opinion
Is What Was She Thinking? worth reading? Absolutely yes, I found it to be a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of human nature and the complexities of relationships.
I was impressed by the depth of character development and the raw emotion the author brings to the story. On the downside, the narrative can be emotionally challenging due to its heavy themes, and it may not be suitable for all readers. However, the impact of the story is profound and thought-provoking.
I would recommend this book to those who appreciate psychological drama and are open to confronting the darker aspects of human relationships. It is a profound work that prompts introspection and discussion about the choices we make and the paths our lives take.