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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
One of Becky K.'s favorites of 2014.
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Spaying%20guests%20waters__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=pearl
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Spaying%20guests%20waters__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=pearl
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
One of those books that had me absolutely gripped from beginning to end. I was reading it when I really should have been doing something else and I was so sad when I finished it...in about three days! Sarah Waters never fails, her work is so wonderful. This is a really intriguing story with well-developed characters.
I received access to the galley of The Paying Guests through Penguin's First to Read program.
I don't usually read historical fiction, and I struggle with longer books, but in the case of The Paying Guest I never wanted to stop reading and when I reached the end I wished there were more pages.
This novel is set in London just after World War I. The way Sarah Waters captures the time period is absolutely splendid. With all the details given I had no trouble being transported to the different places described in the book. The story starts with a married couple, the Barbers, moving into the house of Frances and her widowed mother, a new experience for them. Love, scandal, and suspense ensue. The characters are amazingly well developed and I found myself emotionally attached to them, even when their actions were objectionable. It is just a very enjoyable experience.
I don't usually read historical fiction, and I struggle with longer books, but in the case of The Paying Guest I never wanted to stop reading and when I reached the end I wished there were more pages.
This novel is set in London just after World War I. The way Sarah Waters captures the time period is absolutely splendid. With all the details given I had no trouble being transported to the different places described in the book. The story starts with a married couple, the Barbers, moving into the house of Frances and her widowed mother, a new experience for them. Love, scandal, and suspense ensue. The characters are amazingly well developed and I found myself emotionally attached to them, even when their actions were objectionable. It is just a very enjoyable experience.
Content and spoiler warning: I'm gonna talk about sex using specific, anatomically correct language since talking about unexpected sexual content is apparently all I do in reviews now.
I thought this book sounded very promising and when it was chosen for book club, I was excited. Sadly, this book is one of the few books that I have put down this year. Her writing style is fine, but there was no plot that was visible until page 350. Until then, I was bored and somewhat distraught by the obsession and eventual adultery that takes place. I just couldn't get into it. When the plot eventually does start (at 350 of 550 pages), I found that I didn't really care what happened to either of the characters...sad, but I couldn't finish it.
I was very excited to read this book - it seemed to get rave reviews! But reading it, and then listening to it, it was over 500 pages and 20 hours! The first half of the book was drawn out with too many details and the last bit in the courtroom seemed awfully confusing.
I was hoping that the book would get better, but I was disappointed in its entirety.
I was hoping that the book would get better, but I was disappointed in its entirety.
Well, that was disappointing. I think this was my least favorite of all of her novels. Admittedly, based on her past work I had *really* high expectations. But I wasn't surprised by anything, and the characters seemed rather overwrought. Not a good book to use to introduce Sarah Waters to new readers.
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can't remember the last time I looked ahead to the end to make sure everyone was all right, but I was so scared that I had to with this book. Apart from the dread, I most enjoyed the portrayal of post-WWI England, not the world of the flappers but the world of the slightly down-at-heels gentlefolk who are forced to take in boarders to make ends meet. Wonderful details of class distinctions and daily life.