Dorothy Bussy bola uznávanou prekladateľkou francúzskej literatúry do angličtiny. Jej literárne dedičstvo spočíva predovšetkým v jej precíznych prekladoch, ktoré priblížili diela francúzskych autorov širšiemu publiku. Písala tiež vlastné prozaické diela, ktoré sa často zaoberali zložitými medziľudskými vzťahmi a ženskou identitou. Jej štýl je charakterizovaný jemnou psychologickou sondou a vytvoreným jazykom.
Michel had been a blindfold scholar until, newly married, he contracted tuberculosis. His will to recover brings self-discovery and the growing desire to rebel against his background of culture, decency and morality. But the freedom from constraints that Michel finds on his restless travels is won at great cost.
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.