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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
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.
Just really not my vibe. I hated the characters and had to force myself to finish the book. I was disappointed by the ending too.
I really enjoyed this book. I had no idea what it was going to be about really and as the story unfolded I was surprised by the big "event" and the ending left me feeling sad for the main characters but I still liked the story. It's interesting reading a story like this from that time period.
Highly recommended but....(spoiler alert), I don't enjoy reading about cheaters and murderers...and I believe I'm supposed to feel bad for them because 1) they are gay and 2) they didn't mean to kill him.
huh?
huh?
What's that saying? Never use 5 million words when one will do? Apparently Sarah Waters hasn't heard that one.
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Holy fuck, I genuinely don't remember the last time I was purely enthralled with a novel like this. I picked it up expecting a passive read and got the exact opposite.
I would hazard a guess that the general low rating of this book is due to it being marketed with a plot point that doesn't occur until 300+ pages in. I can fully understand how if you were reading this book waiting for that sort of inciting incident, you would be incredibly frustrated. Certainly the pacing of the plot is unusual, but I make a habit of not reading blurbs and so I had no real expectations and was just along for the ride. Maybe this allowed me to be absorbed into the "unexciting" first half as I was just taking it as a character drama rather than impatiently waiting for the plot to happen (and I'm bigger on character than plot anyway). I'm probably also biased because I really related to Frances and found it very natural to sympathise with her and root for her. All this to say that though the two halves of the book were very different, for me they flowed well together and both wove a tapestry of breathless tension that made me desperate to keep reading. And seriously, I don't think I've felt that at all this year. It's a truly beautiful thing to feel yourself falling back in love with reading, especially when you're going through a really rough time (shout out getting covid for the first time in 2023) so thank you for your service, Sarah Waters!
I would hazard a guess that the general low rating of this book is due to it being marketed with a plot point that doesn't occur until 300+ pages in. I can fully understand how if you were reading this book waiting for that sort of inciting incident, you would be incredibly frustrated. Certainly the pacing of the plot is unusual, but I make a habit of not reading blurbs and so I had no real expectations and was just along for the ride. Maybe this allowed me to be absorbed into the "unexciting" first half as I was just taking it as a character drama rather than impatiently waiting for the plot to happen (and I'm bigger on character than plot anyway). I'm probably also biased because I really related to Frances and found it very natural to sympathise with her and root for her. All this to say that though the two halves of the book were very different, for me they flowed well together and both wove a tapestry of breathless tension that made me desperate to keep reading. And seriously, I don't think I've felt that at all this year. It's a truly beautiful thing to feel yourself falling back in love with reading, especially when you're going through a really rough time (shout out getting covid for the first time in 2023) so thank you for your service, Sarah Waters!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
engaging but like... so many things were unresolved??
frances and lil didn't grow?
if you're in a closeted relationship—save urself the pain and DO NOT read this because it huuuuuuurts
frances and lil didn't grow?
if you're in a closeted relationship—save urself the pain and DO NOT read this because it huuuuuuurts
A compelling story. I would haven given it 4.5 if I was able.