• Date: 06 May 2004
• By: Richard
• Age Range: 16-Adult
• Buy
• A sharp tongued insight into emotion and deeply understandable. *****

The most important ingredient when writing a successful novel is normally considered to be imagination. However it is Zoe Heller's distinct and innovative combination of the "real world" and her ability to imagine, in depth, the emotions of her persona

Zoe takes up the persona of Barbara, a just-over middle-age, single, lonely teacher who's subconsciously dissatisfied and bitterly emotional about life. Her life seemingly contrasts to that of her new friend Sheba who is married, from a wealthy family, and dangerously in love with one of her pupils. However their lives are not as different as they may seem, and they soon find them themselves on a steady downward ride through emotions of regret, obsession, and bitterness.

Zoe's precise writing is used in such a way that you can truly empathise with her characters. Her descriptions are deliberately blunt and so well worded it leaves no doubt in your mind about the way you are meant to feel about her characters. Her deep exploration of obsession and insecurity is not just thrilling, but frighteningly real. Her explorations are as much sophisticated as they are imaginative, and her opinions are as sharp as they are sour. She holds nothing back in her tale of self-pity, loneliness, and uncontrollable obsession.

A sharp tongued insight into emotions of potentially real people, and so deeply understandable. 

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