The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud

Nora Eldridge is a well liked third grade teacher in a town outside Boston.  She is also angry.  Her dreams of an illustrious art career we’re thwarted by a life of caring for her mom and a choice of the "safe".  She sees herself as the nice almost invisible lady at the end of the hall.  What is her name? That is until the arrival of the Shahid family.  Charming Skandar Shahid is on a fellowship at Harvard and eight year old Reza is in Nora's class which is how Nora meets his mom Sirena - exotic, fiery, and best of all, a fellow artist.  Eventually they decide to share a studio space although their work couldn't be any more different. Nora loves having a artist friend and glows in the warmth of this friendship.  But.  As in many relationships, this one is not viewed equally by the two women and as they move in and out of each other's lives, we learn the source of Nora's anger.  Lots to explore here - thwarted dreams or not.