jsmithborne's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book. 4 stars just because I still love [b:Fingersmith|45162|Fingersmith|Sarah Waters|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327879025s/45162.jpg|1014113] best, and because [b:The Little Stranger|6065182|The Little Stranger|Sarah Waters|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348922866s/6065182.jpg|5769396] is so stuck in my head--this one doesn't quite measure up to those for me, but you just can't go wrong with Waters' books.
sonjbean's review against another edition
5.0
yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.
i haven't been consumed by a book in so long! thank you as always, sarah waters.
i haven't been consumed by a book in so long! thank you as always, sarah waters.
gravys's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jesssicawho's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I've read by Sarah Waters, and it makes me want to read more. I think this goes beyond "historical fiction" but Waters does an excellent job of plopping the reader right into 1922. I found it fascinating and kept wanting more - even the long descriptions of the main character's housework or clothing.
The book does start off slowly, builds interest, and gets just a touch melodramatic toward the middle, but then swings back to captivating. Stick with it.
I listened to the audio version of this book and highly recommend the narrator. She kept an appropriate pace and tailored her voice to the various characters without being grotesquely exaggerated.
The book does start off slowly, builds interest, and gets just a touch melodramatic toward the middle, but then swings back to captivating. Stick with it.
I listened to the audio version of this book and highly recommend the narrator. She kept an appropriate pace and tailored her voice to the various characters without being grotesquely exaggerated.
87_launchpad's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
the first half of this book is unbearably slow and bleak, and the second half is uncomfortably tense, and there’s no payoff to make it all worth it. your honor i am just trying to have a nice time
oohsarracuda's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know. It was good, and then it was tedious, and then it was a lot of "Really? Really?!" And now I'm glad I finished, but mostly I'm "UGH", and also nostalgic for the beginning of the book when I liked it and was excited. The second half felt like a chore.
badrborne's review against another edition
3.0
While this novel is not particularly bad - I did finish it, after all - I really don't think it's Dr. Waters' best, for several reasons. First, I think that this particular brand of historical crime drama is becoming a little predictable and formulaic. When I read Fingersmith I was so shocked at all the twists and turns that book had to offer. Now, it's kind of...expected? Second, the characters were kind of flat, and resembled other characters in Waters' novels except these were watered down versions of them, or maybe it only seems that way to me because I've been exposed to similar characters in earlier, better works. Third, the writing style was even quite mediocre - none of the richness that was offered to us in Tipping the Velvet or Fingersmith, for example. You get the point.
I won't dissuade you from reading this novel but if you're trying to choose a first Sarah Waters novel to read don't make it this one.
I won't dissuade you from reading this novel but if you're trying to choose a first Sarah Waters novel to read don't make it this one.
nic_m_hud's review against another edition
4.0
This book has everything: romance, thrill, crime - it's psychological twists and turns kept me guessing. And based on the conclusion of Part I I never would have dreamed where the storyline was headed. The first few chapters dragged on, and Waters can get overly verbose with Frances's inner thoughts and daily chores. The book didn't even feel like historical fiction - the plot could have easily taken place today. Really enjoyable read.
bootsmom3's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Alcohol, Homophobia, Sexual content, Death, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Blood, Body horror, Violence, Sexism, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Outing, Grief, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, and Misogyny
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
rungemaille's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0