I have to admit when I bought this book, I did so based on the picture on the cover, as I did not have my glasses with me. Sounds silly, doesn't it, although relevant to my review of this book since, had I read the descriptions of other works given by the Independent on Sunday, whom I can only ... Read review
Affinityis a tale of power and possession that Henry James himself might admire. In her ... more
first novel,Tipping the Velvet, Sarah Waters explored secrets and longing--capping off this lesbian romp with a utopian-socialist vision. Her intricate follow-up...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Affinity is a tale of power and possession that Henry James himself might admire. In her ... more
first novel, Tipping the Velvet, Sarah Waters explored secrets and longing--capping off this lesbian romp with a utopian-socialist vision. Her intricate follow-...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Set in and around the women's prison at Milbank in the 1870's , AFFINITY is an eerie and ... more
utterly compelling ghost story, a complex and intriguing literary mystery and a poignant love story with an unexpected twist in the tale. Following the death of he...
Postage & Packaging: refer to website Availability: in stock
Set in and around the women's prison at Milbank in the 1870's , AFFINITY is an eerie and ... more
utterly compelling ghost story, a complex and intriguing literary mystery and a poignant love story with an unexpected twist in the tale. Following the death of her father, Margaret Prior has decided to pursue some 'good work' with the lady criminals of one of London's most notorious gaols. Surrounded by prisoners, murderers and common thieves, Margaret feels herself drawn to one of the prisons more unlikely inmates - the imprisoned spiritualist - Selina Dawes. Sympathetic to the plight of this innocent-seeming girl, Margaret sees herself dispensing guidance and perhaps friendship on her visits, little expecting to find herself dabbling in a twilight world of seances, shadows, unruly spirits and unseemly passions.
Postage & Packaging:refer to website Availability:in stock
Affinity is a tale of power and possession that Henry James himself might admire. In her ... more
first novel, Tipping the Velvet, Sarah Waters explored secrets and longing--capping off this lesbian romp with a utopian-socialist vision. Her intricate follow-up is just as sensual but infinitely darker, its moral more difficult to descry. Its stylistic and psychological rewards, however, are visible at every turn, the author's persuasive imagination matched by her gift for storytelling. In late September 1874, Margaret Prior makes her way through the pentagons of London's Millbank Prison, a place of fearful symmetry and endless corridors. This plain woman on the verge of 30 has come to comfort those behind bars, several of whom Waters brings to instant, sad life. And our lady visitor plans to take her role seriously, having recovered from two years of nervous indolence in her family's Chelsea house. One person, however, makes her job a passion. Opening an inspection slit (or "eye" as these devices are known), Margaret hears "a perfect sigh, like a sigh in a story". Peering inward, she's confronted by the most erotic of visions--a woman turned towards the sun, caressing her cheek with a forbidden violet: "As I watched her, she put the flower to her lips, and breathed upon it, and the purple of the petals gave a quiver and seemed to glow..." The medium Selina Dawes may indeed have the face of a Crivelli angel, but she is in prison for fraud and assault. Suffice to say that the first full encounter between these two very different women is enthralling. "You think spiritualism a kind of fancy," Selina riddles. "Doesn't it seem to you, now that you are here, that anything might be real, since Millbank is?" And soon enough Margaret receives several viable signs of the supernatural: a locket disappears from her room, flowers mysteriously appear and her dazzling friend knows everything about her. Strangest of all, Selina seems to love her. As Margaret records her weekly forays, her own past comes into focus, notably her plans to travel to Italy with her first love (who is now her sister-in-law). But her current journal, she convinces herself, is to be very different from her last one, which "took as long to burn as human hearts, they say, do take". Meanwhile, Waters offers a narrative two-for-one, placing Margaret's diary cheek by jowl with Selina's chronicle of her pre-Millbank existence. This dispassionate, staccato record initially suggests that we can separate truth from desire. Or can we? What Waters' haunting creation leaves us with is a more painful reality--that knowledge and belief are entirely different things. --Kerry Fried, Amazon.com
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Advantages: Superb writer that startled me in a wonderful way. Disadvantages: None at all.
I have to admit when I bought this book, I did so based on the picture on the cover, as I did not have my glasses with me. Sounds silly, doesn't it, although relevant to my review of this book since, had I read the descriptions of other works given by the Independent on Sunday, whom I can only presume did not read this book, I perhaps would not have bought it. They describe her work entitled "Tipping the Velvet" as "a sexy and picaresque ... ...Nineties". That made my approach to the book wary, since the kind of literature that I enjoy reading would not be of this ilk.
Undaunted by descriptions of her other works, I decided to take the plunge and read what is possibly the best book that I have read for a very long time.
The story takes the reader into the mysterious times of the 1870's and tells of how a young lady of relatively well bred background, ... more
I have to admit when I bought this book, I did so based on the picture on the cover, as I did not have my glasses with me. Sounds silly, doesn't it, although relevant to my review of this book since, had I read the descriptions of other works given by the Independent on Sunday, whom I can only presume did not read this book, I perhaps would not have bought it. They describe her work entitled "Tipping the Velvet" as "a sexy and picaresque romp through the lesbian and queer demi-monde of the Roaring Nineties". That made my approach to the book wary, since the kind of literature that I enjoy reading would not be of this ilk.
Undaunted by descriptions of her other works, I decided to take the plunge and read what is possibly the best book that I have read for a very long time.
The story takes the reader into the mysterious times of the 1870's and tells of how a young lady of relatively well bred background, recovering from the death of her father, is given a worthwhile job to do, visiting prisoners in a womens prison called Millbank as a "Lady Visitor", intended to encourage the prisoners to seek self worth and respect. The description of the prison and of what the heroine of the story finds within the dark corridors that are home to many lady inmates is indeed detailed and pursuasive in that the reader is pulled into a story of despair, love, hope and betrayal in such a way that one almost believes the reality of the characters. This is a well written book, and I was rather impressed with the way the book diaries the lives of two women, whose lives touch in terrible circumstances, and yet makes each of the ladies characters plausible and exceptionally well detailed, one being a wealthy resident of a fashionable area in Chelsea, and the other a prisoner with whom she becomes enchanted, after her initial encounter, which left her startled and wanting to know more.
Every relationship within the book is explained in such a way as to be completely understandable. You feel for the characters, understand their views, their disappointments, and take a step back in time, as the routine of the ladies prison in the 1870's is detailed to such a degree that it almost like visiting the prison yourself and understanding the reactions of characters clearly drawn upon a canvas in such a way that you can almost see them. I have always believed that story writing should be like painting a picture with words, and Sarah Waters does this exceedingly well. Encouraged to visit at different times of the day, Margaret unravels the routines, the punishments, the joys and desperation of women incarcerated within the walls of Millbank.
I am irritated by writing that is not clear, and here Sarah Waters excels in clarity, but she goes further than that. What she achieves within the 352 pages is a well researched story that has a moral, and here the moral was not at all obvious until the later pages of the book. This isn't a book to cheat on, or to read ahead, but one to digest because each paragraph has relevance to the whole story, and one of the most valuable assets this writer has is her wonderful use of description, down to the most minute detail, though never superfluous, each little vignette created in words being there for a purpose.
The relationship between Margaret, the lady visitor in the book, and her mother was portrayed in such a way as to be familiar, and the sibling jealousy is given reason and substance. The staff at the prison are superbly portrayed, although the astounding relationship between Margaret and a prisoner that goes by the name of Selina Dawes is what makes the story work. Words were never wasted and the storyline was never padded with unecessary drivel. Each word had its' place and I really am impressed at the skill of this writer, whose love of the English language touches the reader on each page.
Stories which touch on the supernatural often fail to deliver feasibility although this books excels in that the only explanation for the strange events which befall Margaret are logical and clear, and the balance of the girls' mind explained in every detail as if reliving the experience. Encounters with spiritualists, explanations of their work and how it is used to develop a bond between two human beings is extraordinary.It was a hard book to put down, and once the reader was taken into the journey of discovery, the story was thrilling right to the very last page, which is rare.
One of the quotes at the beginning of the book is rather relevant and stated that she is "such a brilliant writer that the reader would believe anything that she told them", and here her skills were akin to those of classical writers such as Jane Austen or the Bronte sisters. I would thoroughly recommend the book to those that want a read that is worthwhile, one that is startlingly realistic, and written in such a manner that there is no mistaking of the message borne within the pages.
A superb book and a writer that I shall be watching out for with interest in the future.
Rachel
ISBN 1-86049-692X Available from Amazon at 6.39 GBP
Advantages: Gripping, makes you want to believe it... Disadvantages: Sense of let down at end of book (could also be seen as good)
As a literature student, I groaned at the thickness of another book I had to read within a week, on my modern novels course last year. However, when I started to read this book I was really surprised & started to get into it really quickly. The story follows the upper class character of Margaret Prior, who has decided to pursue some 'good work' with the lady prisoners at Millbank, a scary & winding prison. Margaret goes to 'civilise' some of these ... ...prison, however she feels herself drawn to the spiritualist Selina Dawes. Throughout the book, Margaret's diary entries are juxtaposed with shorter extracts from Selina Dawes, describing her spiritual séances with ghosts & giving the reader an idea of what her life was like. We get the feeling that throughout the novel Margaret's family think that she is mad or unstable, due to the doses of 'chloral' that her mother seems to give her at night, and ...
angelfacecuti75 05.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Affinity - Sarah Waters
Advantages: Quick, easy, fascinating and "moorish" read. Disadvantages: None.
A well written novel. Not a lot of books can be called that these days. A lot of mystery, ideal dose of tension, sensuous but not overwhelming descriptions. I marvelled over the combination of innocence and cunning in the book. A girls go to work as a mentor in women's only prison. She has few under her care and there is one, special one she is intrigued by. Young girl who never says much. Friendships are not allowed between staff and convicted. ... ...as possible about the quiet girls. And so begins the exchanges of letters, small gifts, touches... The quiet girl is a spiritual medium, the senior staff is keeping a close eye on our mentor... The story developed in a natural, steady manner and although the subject matter was somewhat "incredible" I could not help but believe in everything that was going on. And no, I did not predict the ending. Someone might have done, some said it was not difficult ...
Agula 21.08.2008 (22.08.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Affinity - Sarah Waters
Advantages: exciting, big twist, romance, wow Disadvantages: sad ending, decieving, takes a long time to get to the good bits
This is one of those rare books which you will have difficulty putting down. You will want to read and read it, until it is finished!
It's a story of margaret prior a 30 or so year old single woman who decides to help in the Milkbank prison by talking to prisoners to help them become better people..
Little did she know that her life is about to be changed for ever.
In prison, she meets Selina Dawes, she has been jailed for fraud and assault. But ... ...the story evolves, and margaret is too deep in love with selina, so she decides to help her. But how?
I won't give away too much of the book. But read on, and you'll find a wicked twist towards the end. You will feel decieved just like one of characters was. ;-)
Another fantastic book by Ms Waters! ...
lilmisslala 25.05.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Affinity - Sarah Waters
Advantages: Captivating and startling Disadvantages: Prepare yourself a bit
"Her quiet voice, that only I can hear, is the most frightening voice of them all." That voice is the narrative you encounter from the two key characters, but mostly from the protagonist - Margaret Prior who carries you through the spooky and spelling biding journey. Margaret takes us from her own Victorian upbringing with its traditional Victorian values, that of marriage and presentably. And plunges us into the gaols of Millbank prison. As she ... ...referred to as a spinster, and is despising the life she has, a life full of loss and grief. It is felt she visits the women at Millbank "to look on women more wretched than herself." And it is a particular woman whom resembles a saint or angel, one by the name of Selina Dawes, who encourages Margaret to dispose of her idle life, and resume it somewhere else. But at what cost? ...
Noodle3 04.12.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Affinity - Sarah Waters
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Advantages: Brilliant descriptions, realistic characters and an interesting romance with plot twists. Disadvantages: Some might find this slow-paced and overly descriptive.
Written by SarahWaters
Lesbian Historical Romance Fiction.
548 Pages.
Can be bought for around £3+ on Ebay.co.uk and for £5.99 on Amazon.co.uk.
I've been a fan of SarahWaters' since reading Tipping the Velvet and I jumped at the chance of reading it when I saw it in my local charity shop.
The book is set in 1862, London. Two orphans who have lived completely different lives are soon to be brought together by the hands of 'Gentleman', the man mentioned tells Sue Trinder, a girl brought up in the ways of 'Fingersmiths' (thieves), he has a plan to cheat a young woman out of a large fortune and that he needs Sue's help and he sends her to Briar to play the part of a maid. As Sue and Maud - the woman soon to be cheated - spend time together, feelings develop and Sue questions the plan. But all is not as it seems at Briar...
As I ...
Advantages: Well written though others are better. Disadvantages: Too graphic.
I have bought every book that SarahWaters ever published based on my experience of her exquisitely detailed book "Affinity", in which her written style was clear, and detail amazingly real. This book is more well known since it has been televised, although having just read it, I can only assume that the program could never actually be true to the book, unless it is on at an adult only time, since it's attention to detail is such that it proved a disturbing read.
The book tells the story of Nan King, who works in her family Oyster restaurant in Whitstable at the turn of the 19th Century to 20th Century. She is a likeable character at first, and has acquired the skills of cooking oysters to perfection, and is proud of her family's achievement in the art of cuisine. Life takes a turn for the young lady, when she finds herself awed by ...
Advantages: A wonderful story. Disadvantages: Not suited to those who do not like historical fiction.
Tempted by my first experience of the written work of SarahWaters, and her book "Affinity", I bought this book with high expectations.
The story is set in London, the year 1862. We are introduced to the characters that are to form the foundation of the book fairly early on, and the reader is taken from the lowly "Borough" area of London where Susan Trinder's formative years are spent in the care of a Mrs. Sucksby who takes in infants, and Mr. Ibbett, who looks after the local Locksmith shop. The characters that build up the texture of the story are colourful and very believeable, and the visit of "The Gentleman" is about to change the fortunes of the young Susan for ever.
The writing of the story can only be described as "delicious". Many writers make the mistake of using many words to say nothing. SarahWaters uses exquisite ...
