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mrsdeano's review against another edition
4.0
Slow start Nd then I couldn't put it down! But then again I have a particular fondness for British period boils.
rachelkomm's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐️ A well written lesbian romance crime drama that deals with themes of class, sexuality, gender, and morality. I just wish the ending was a bit more fast paced.
marianbarlage's review against another edition
3.0
A story about a young lady who falls for her married female tenant. Rather ehhh about this book. Just could never bring myself to care about the fate of any of the characters. Ehhh.
msjared's review against another edition
4.0
I did enjoy this one although it dragged in parts and some of it was kind of repetitive. I found the characters interesting and sympathetic and once the real drama finally happened, the unraveling was believable and well-written and the wrap-up suspenseful and satisfying.
gildius's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
meadowbat's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly, I was completely happy reading about early 20th century chores as narrated by Sarah Waters. But then the novel took a turn for the sexy (no surprise there) and then it went super dark. Sarah Waters can do it all, while crafting incredibly complex, realistic characters--in this case two women who are good and brave, but not quite as good and brave as they need to be, and that's the real horror, because it's impossible not to feel how viciously we're all tossed about by circumstance.
krismcd59's review against another edition
4.0
The sensual wit that drew Waters' fans to her Victorian romps, [b:Tipping the Velvet|56373|Tipping the Velvet|Sarah Waters|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388633460s/56373.jpg|1013794] and [b:Fingersmith|45162|Fingersmith|Sarah Waters|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327879025s/45162.jpg|1014113], is severely restrained in this intense psychological thriller, but nonetheless there in her razor-sharp depictions of class consciousness in post-WWI Britain. As in her justly-praised eerie masterpiece, [b:The Little Stranger|6065182|The Little Stranger|Sarah Waters|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348922866s/6065182.jpg|5769396], she restricts us to the thoughts and perceptions of a sympathetic but highly unreliable narrator. The plot is a classic noir treatment of sexual obsession and secrecy that avoids falling into predictable patterns. Very compelling.
russell32789's review against another edition
2.0
I found The Paying Guests promising at first - and in parts it's convincing, even exciting - but finally I was very disappointed by this book. It's slighter than it seems. I wanted more from the main characters. The book fizzles out. Much could have been explored and developed more than it is.