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The Paying Guests
592 pages, 2015
fiction
1382 booksThe year is 1922, and the atmosphere in London is strained. Ex-servicemen are disillusioned, and the unemployed and hungry are clamoring for change. And in South London, life is about to change in an elegant Camberwell villa—a vast, silent home suddenly devoid of brothers, husbands, and even servants—as destitute widow Mrs.
Wray and her spinster daughter, Frances, are forced to take in lodgers. The entrance of Lilian and Leonard Barber, a sophisticated young couple from the clerk class, will throw the house's rituals into disarray. Little do the Wray's realize how deeply their new tenants will impact France's live—or how far-reaching, and heartbreaking, the disruptions will be as tensions rise and frustration grows.
In The Paying Guests, Sarah Waters explores the complexity of love and relationships. She shows us that love can be messy, complicated, and sometimes even dangerous. It's a reminder that love isn't always easy or straightforward, but it's always worth exploring.
The book gives us a glimpse into the impact of social class on people's lives. It shows how societal expectations and norms can influence our decisions and shape our lives. It's a great read if you want to dig deeper into the societal norms of the 1920s.
Waters shows us the power of secrets and how they can change the course of our lives. The characters in the book are constantly hiding things from each other, leading to a series of unexpected events. It's a fascinating look into the human tendency to keep secrets and the consequences that come with it.
The Paying Guests also explores gender roles and expectations. It challenges traditional views on femininity and masculinity, showing us that gender is not as black and white as society often makes it out to be. If you're interested in gender studies, this book is a must-read.
One of the key takeaways from the book is the consequences of our choices. Every decision the characters make leads to a series of events that drastically change their lives. It's a reminder that our choices matter and can have far-reaching effects.
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Sarah Waters' The Paying Guests is a knockout, which puts a new spin on the term 'haunted house.'
Stephen King - Horror Fiction AuthorThe Paying Guests is a magnificent blend of the drama and the domestic, encompassing both the grandeur and the minutiae of life.
Margaret Atwood - Canadian Poet, NovelistThe Paying Guests is a gripping, insightful story about love and its consequences.
Emma Donoghue - Irish-Canadian Playwright