Nora Eldredge is a primary school teacher. Her hopes of being an artist, and having a family, faded long ago. She's adored by her charges and their parents but she's sad, disappointed, lonely and angry.

One of her pupils is Reza, a beautiful and charming child, whose parents similarly fascinate Nora. The father has a fellowship at Harvard, the mother is glamorous and about to hit the big time as an installation artist. Nora's life becomes caught up in theirs. She feels possibilities and opportunities are opening up to her again. Then she is forced to face the fact that she is not a part of this young family at all, and she is betrayed horribly.

This is a fascinating book which vividly and powerfully addresses the challenges of life as a single, childless, professional woman reaching middle age. It is beautifully and compellingly written, being dark but not depressing. It is an intriguing presentation of relationships, desires and morals, but I did think the ending was a bit too glib!