''Perfectly captures the breathless excitement of adolescent passion'' Sarah Waters

When Olivia turns sixteen she is sent to a Parisian finishing school to broaden her education. Soon after her arrival, she finds herself falling under the spell of her beautiful and charismatic teacher. But Madamoiselle Julie's life is not as straightforward as Olivia imagines and the school year is destined to end abruptly in tragedy.

''A remarkable novel which is unique in its presentation of the female mind and emotions in teachers and pupils at a girls'' school. It has a strange combination of strength and delicacy.'' The Times