Affinity - Sarah Waters

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 ... more

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 women, according to the jailers and the head of the prison, however she feels herself drawn to the spiritualist Selina Dawes. Throughout the book ... more

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. But our mentor is desperate to find out as much as possible about the quiet girls. And so begins the exchanges of letters, small gifts, touches... The ... more

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 Margaret is already too attached to Selina to let go.. the story evolves, and margaret is too deep in love with selina, so she decides to help her ... more

"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 doesn't fit in with her mothers accustoms, is frequently becoming referred to as a spinster, and is despising the life she has, a life full of loss ... more