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I'm rating this one a 4 - something I usually give to happy romances with all the plots tied up by story's end - but this book, my 2nd Sarah Waters, was not one of those. Rather, it's getting a 4 from me because it became one of those books that I couldn't put down, didn't want to put down, couldn't read fast enough. The writing is strong, beautiful, and descriptive - I didn't mind the length of it - it's perfect reading for a cold winter's day. It was an addicting tale. I feel like the ending i
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Set in England during 1922, in the aftermath of WWI. Frances is a spinster at 27. After the deaths of her brothers and her father, she takes over the running of her family’s home. Her mother is still trying to marry her off, despite the fact that she’s a lesbian.
In order to make ends meet, they take in a married couple as boarders and things get uncomfortable pretty quickly.
I was utterly entranced by the writing, even though not much happens until near the end.
In order to make ends meet, they take in a married couple as boarders and things get uncomfortable pretty quickly.
I was utterly entranced by the writing, even though not much happens until near the end.
One word describes this hefty suspense novel: Tense, with a capital T.
Sarah Waters is a master and building levels of suspense and tension, of creating psychological portraits of unease and disturbance. At times it was nearly uncomfortable, but yet I couldn’t stop reading. The historical detail adds to the atmosphere of grimness.
Sarah Waters is a master and building levels of suspense and tension, of creating psychological portraits of unease and disturbance. At times it was nearly uncomfortable, but yet I couldn’t stop reading. The historical detail adds to the atmosphere of grimness.
I can't finish. This Snake & Ladders scene in particular went on an on... The overuse of similes and metaphors (but more often similes, really) isn't helping.
*spoiler below*
Apparently, stopping where I did, I am going to miss out on an abortion and a murder. Still, no regrets. ...more
*spoiler below*
Apparently, stopping where I did, I am going to miss out on an abortion and a murder. Still, no regrets. ...more
I was more than half way through when I finally gave up on this one. Younger readers (or those with patience for angst) might enjoy the book. I truly liked the characters, they were so clearly depicted but... Not even the steamy sex could make up for the angst.
I can't help it, I love everything Sarah Waters writes. This book isn't quite as satisfying as her earlier books, but the feeling of a certain period of history is as richly textured as always, and the anxious vein of tension in this story is gripping.
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Oct 05, 2014
Dana
rated it
really liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
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This was a compelling, well-written novel with well developed characters and a good sense of place (England post-WWI). It could've been shorter without losing much--it dragged a bit--but overall a good read/listen.
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Nov 03, 2014
Gabrielle S
marked it as to-read
Nov 17, 2014
Erin
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Nov 20, 2014
Larissa
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Dec 20, 2014
Pattie
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Feb 24, 2015
Stormnangel
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Mar 16, 2015
Karen Pirrung
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Mar 22, 2015
Jen (NerdifiedJen)
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Nov 09, 2015
Amy
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Angie
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Jan 28, 2016
Amy
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May 23, 2017
Anastasia
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May 30, 2017
Katie
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Dec 04, 2023
Kayte
marked it as to-read
