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rachel_tb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ru_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
catmomchantel's review against another edition
1.0
DNF, returned to library only 3 days after borrowing. I tried to push myself to finish this book but there wasn't enough to keep me going to get to the actual action of the story. It felt boring and I felt like I had read so much without getting anywhere at all.
danoreading's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the beginning quite a bit, and the writing is certainly lovely, but I really didn't care for certain scenes leading up to and including the book's climax.
cwalsh's review against another edition
4.0
Due to the deaths of her husband and two sons and the hard times that have resulted from the end of the first World War, Mrs. Wray and her daughter, Frances, are forced to take in lodgers to their estate on Champion Hill in the Camberwell district of London. These lodgers, or “Paying Guests,” are Lilian and Leonard Barber, a newly-married couple who are quite modern in their day to day affairs. As the Barbers begin to make themselves at home, Frances and Lilian develop a close friendship. Upon learning that Frances had once been intimate with a woman, the two take their relationship to a new level, only to be met with serious consequences that could change their fates forever.
Having previously read The Little Stranger, I was not surprised to see that this novel was a bit on the lengthy side as well as a complete slow burn of a story. I can see why slow books could be quite frustrating for some readers (especially because the plot of this book doesn’t make itself known until around the 260 page mark), but that is certainly not the case for me; as I get older, I’m finding that I really enjoy reading about the routine descriptions of everyday life, as well as the intricate details of a specific setting or atmosphere. In this case, the creepy, gothic tone of the novel captivated me from the very first page. There is something so beautiful and eloquent in Waters’ craft that it seems like there is no way that it could’ve been published in this day and age; often times I felt that this particular work was reminiscent of Daphne Du Maurier, and let me tell you, I LIVE FOR THOSE VIBES.
My only issue with this book is that at its core, the plot is a very cliche, overused trope: Person A is in a relationship with Person B, but Person C is extremely attracted to Person A. Person A and Person C develop a relationship, leaving Person B to lose their mind, ultimately resulting in a situation where catastrophe ensues. When push comes to shove, it’s really easy to figure out what happens, but I was hoping that Waters would blow me away with some intricate plot twist that just didn’t happen. I’ve heard that this is her weakest book, and if that’s the case, I cannot wait to read her backlist.
Having previously read The Little Stranger, I was not surprised to see that this novel was a bit on the lengthy side as well as a complete slow burn of a story. I can see why slow books could be quite frustrating for some readers (especially because the plot of this book doesn’t make itself known until around the 260 page mark), but that is certainly not the case for me; as I get older, I’m finding that I really enjoy reading about the routine descriptions of everyday life, as well as the intricate details of a specific setting or atmosphere. In this case, the creepy, gothic tone of the novel captivated me from the very first page. There is something so beautiful and eloquent in Waters’ craft that it seems like there is no way that it could’ve been published in this day and age; often times I felt that this particular work was reminiscent of Daphne Du Maurier, and let me tell you, I LIVE FOR THOSE VIBES.
My only issue with this book is that at its core, the plot is a very cliche, overused trope: Person A is in a relationship with Person B, but Person C is extremely attracted to Person A. Person A and Person C develop a relationship, leaving Person B to lose their mind, ultimately resulting in a situation where catastrophe ensues. When push comes to shove, it’s really easy to figure out what happens, but I was hoping that Waters would blow me away with some intricate plot twist that just didn’t happen. I’ve heard that this is her weakest book, and if that’s the case, I cannot wait to read her backlist.
nooneyouknow's review against another edition
2.0
Punishingly long and boring. Not recommended. Not quite a 2 star book, but 1 star didn't seem fair (probably because it would have made all the time spent trying to finish this one feel like even more of a waste).
ruthlemon08's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kschmehl's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0