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Anatomy of a Scandal

Vaughan, Sarah

  27 Reviews

When cabinet minister James Whitehouse, with a seemingly perfect life, goes on trial for rape, there is a lot at stake: not only his marriage to Sophie and his successful career (in tandem with his old friend Tom the PM), but also his exposure to Kate Woodcroft, the experienced prosecuting barrister hell-bent on revealing the truth.

Moving between the hallowed halls of contemporary Westminster and Oxford University decades earlier, this suspenseful psychological thriller and intelligent dissection of male privilege and behaviour, offers a fascinating and timely reflection on consent, intent and the misuse of power. [Larger font]

Pages
388
Year
2018

Reviews

CHCH 449
04-10-2024
We really enjoyed the writing style of this book and most enjoyed the plot. Some were a little dubious about the explicitness of a few "facts" and one didn't enjoy it at all. Good conversation was generated regarding society and the "privileges" of a few, even at a local level.
CHCH 012
22-02-2024
The group generally enjoyed this book. It brought forth a lot of discussion re privilege, corruption, and the meaning of consent. Worth reading.
AUCK 150
21-02-2024
We all found this book a 'hard to put down' one. The writing was beautiful, and the plots and sub plots very powerful.
CHCH 001
22-01-2024
Unputdownable! Topical, good mystery. Some members had seen the T.V. series,and still enjoyed the book which was well-written with believable characters.
AUCK 417
19-12-2023
We all thoroughly enjoyed this book. It opened up a lot of discussion around the issues of consent, harassment and privilege. It portrayed the difficulty of proving rape even with a motivated barrister and especially against a privileged member of the upperclass.
INVER 001
16-11-2023
Our group all really enjoyed this book - highly topical subject matter and written in an engaging style. Also enjoyed the questions as very specific, thought provoking and relevant to the book.
CHCH 529
20-03-2023
One of the more gripping books we have read at book club, with a very robust discussion. It was also worth discussing the comparison of the book to the mini series, and that it was accurately portrayed. Highly recommended.
AUCK 014
11-10-2022
Several of the group had seen the television series, but despite knowing the ending still found the book very readable. The clever slow reveal of the characters kept us turning the pages. There was a lot of conversation about how conflicting the legal process is as an arbiter of guilt and innocence in such cases; especially so as we experience the shifts of cultural norms in our society. It was an easy read despite the unsettling nature of the content.
PAIHIA 003
31-08-2022
Well-written. Fairly topical theme for NZers right now. Attitudes of class and entitlement don't sit comfortably with Kiwis, so it promoted a very interesting discussion.
PALMN 018
22-04-2022
Excellent book. We are all looking forward to the Netflix version.
WAIKA 014
22-04-2022
Most reluctantly persevered and found it captivating as it wore on. Not a popular choice but it stimulated great discussion.
DUNED 015
30-03-2022
We thoroughly enjoyed this story, and its parallels to aspects of British political and academic behaviour!
HAMIL 062
01-12-2021
Everyone loved this thought provoking book. A great combination of weighty issues delivered in an easy to read page turner style. A credible version of a sexual assault's impact from the multiple perspectives of all the main characters. The characters were subtly portrayed as whole people with both good and bad characteristics. It stimulated a great discussion on the abuse of power by the entitled upperclass, what is true consent, what is the truth, and how damaging and long lasting the impact of sexual assault can be.
OHOPE 006
17-09-2021
Enjoyed by all the group in varying degrees. Hard hitting topic with a particularly disgusting main male character. Interesting twist to the story.
CHCH 488
18-08-2021
Most of us didn't really expect to like this book but ended up loving it. It sparked discussion on all sorts of things: staying at home with kids vs pursuing career goals, educating our kids about consent, the decency of politicians, infidelity among posh people, and irresponsible things we did when we were young.
CHCH 247
09-06-2021
10/11 readers found it very gripping. All enjoyed. Very well written. Discussion was very animated and uninhibited. Thoroughly recommend.
AUCK 038
22-05-2020
Very well-written, if somewhat disturbing!
WELL 150
22-05-2020
Good discussion and comments that this was very topical.
RAWEN 001
22-05-2020
We had a zoom meeting to discuss this book at the end of May. We ALL liked it, an easy read during lockdown. Good discussion afterwards regarding rape, and Sophie's attitude to her husband. Would recommend book to other groups.
MAST 014
11-05-2020
Well-written book. Enjoyed by everyone.
GREYT 001
04-03-2020
An excellent read. Although, at times, quite confronting and sexually explicit - it was at no time gratuitous. We had a great discussion about privilege and entitlement which really were the main themes of the story - and of course the "Me Too" movement. Our group is aged 70+ and we are mixed gender.
NELS 058
29-01-2020
A jolly good read.
NAP 005
29-01-2020
Different viewpoints on the book. Some found it difficult to get into, but rewarding when finished.
NORTH 009
29-01-2020
We found it difficult to relate to the characters initially but warmed to them as the story went on - not the rapist:-). Fabulous in depth discussion at our meeting - topics included old boys' culture, nurture issues etc.
PALMN 031
29-01-2020
Everyone enjoyed this book. Had a great discussion.
AUCK 069
16-10-2019
Despite the low score, we had one of the best discussions for a book. Everyone finished it; we felt it was not well-written but interesting subject matter.
TAUR 057
19-06-2019
This book divided the club. Some enjoyed it, most didn't. Some enjoyed the writing and descriptions, others felt the writing didn't make as much of the legal issues as other authors might have done. No-one could relate to the upper class characters or the old boys' network, but in talking about that it opened up one of the best discussions we've had.