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A review by katykelly
The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters
4.0
4.5 stars. I found this more of a struggle to get through initially than Fingersmith and Tipping the Velvet - you don't quickly know where the story is going. Once you see the direction, it becomes much more involving.
A mother and daughter in 1920s London, brought low by wartime deaths are forced to take in lodgers, 'paying guests'. Frances, only 26 herself has mixed feelings about the Barbers. She runs the household, having no money for servants and soon finds herself spending more and more time with Mrs Barber, Lilian at home.
The story suddenly takes an unexpected and violent turn ending in a tense court case that leaves the fate of both women dangling precipitously. Decisions must be made, morals questioned, futures reappraised.
I did enjoy the beginning but I just couldn't see where the plot was heading for another 400 pages. Then I got it. And I Ioved it. I liked Frances, Lil grated a little (she's a little whiny later on, needy and weakens) I'd have liked Frances's mother to have been more involved I the later plot, she ends up being secondary and a looker-on, her perspective would have been interesting.
The plot twists just a little but it's fascinating stuff. The period detail and post-war world are vividly portrayed.
There's love, sex, murder, betrayal, paranoia, guilt - it's full and fresh. If you can make it through the first part where you're not sure what you're getting into, you should love it. I've loved the Sarah Waters I've tried, and I did love this but it's not my favourite of hers. The others had more delicious dark humour, this was a more serious affair.
It has payoff if you have patience.
A mother and daughter in 1920s London, brought low by wartime deaths are forced to take in lodgers, 'paying guests'. Frances, only 26 herself has mixed feelings about the Barbers. She runs the household, having no money for servants and soon finds herself spending more and more time with Mrs Barber, Lilian at home.
The story suddenly takes an unexpected and violent turn ending in a tense court case that leaves the fate of both women dangling precipitously. Decisions must be made, morals questioned, futures reappraised.
I did enjoy the beginning but I just couldn't see where the plot was heading for another 400 pages. Then I got it. And I Ioved it. I liked Frances, Lil grated a little (she's a little whiny later on, needy and weakens) I'd have liked Frances's mother to have been more involved I the later plot, she ends up being secondary and a looker-on, her perspective would have been interesting.
The plot twists just a little but it's fascinating stuff. The period detail and post-war world are vividly portrayed.
There's love, sex, murder, betrayal, paranoia, guilt - it's full and fresh. If you can make it through the first part where you're not sure what you're getting into, you should love it. I've loved the Sarah Waters I've tried, and I did love this but it's not my favourite of hers. The others had more delicious dark humour, this was a more serious affair.
It has payoff if you have patience.