Catherine Duval (2)

This book is stuffed full of episodes in which teachers and pupils enjoy themselves hugely, with the help of a few lusty young men, in the setting of an exclusive Swiss finishing school. Melissa, the principal character, shows herself to be a perfect teacher in the amorous arts as she becomes intimately involved with her pupils (and some of their mothers). However, although the story keeps threatening to develop a plot, it never quite seems to manage this feat, despite having quite a few promising developments, such as ambassador’s receptions, film directors, etc. It’s stimulating, certainly, and this may be enough for many, but I found it rather lacking. Prospective readers should not be too encouraged by the ‘disciplinary’ promise of the cover used for this edition (it isn’t there in all editions), as nothing even vaguely punitive occurs in the book.… (mer)