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What Members Thought
I'm rather torn between a 3 and a 4, would like a 3 1/2 choice. I liked the book, but I felt that the potential was there for more than I got. I enjoy gothic novels, but this gothic-like one inspired more hopelessness than ghoulishness. I think in the end I just felt let down. Dr. Faraday, the narrator of the story and one of its main characters, seemed a little flat, underdeveloped, always leaving too much guessing about his essence. The characters seemed caught in a paralysis of inaction most
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Mar 12, 2011
Sunflower
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
fiction-read-2011
The pace of this novel is about the same as the deterioration of Hundreds, (the house which is central to the story) in real time. Sloooooooow.
I think there are much better examples of this type of tale: "Turn of the Screw" being the most obvious. None of the characters is particularly likeable, and though we have plenty of time (500 pages) to get to know them, by the end of the book they are still almost strangers. It is a portrayal of an upper class family who refuse to accept that their circ ...more
I think there are much better examples of this type of tale: "Turn of the Screw" being the most obvious. None of the characters is particularly likeable, and though we have plenty of time (500 pages) to get to know them, by the end of the book they are still almost strangers. It is a portrayal of an upper class family who refuse to accept that their circ ...more
I loved this throwback to the British Gothic novel. This one really addresses the crumbling British aristocracy and ideas of class and gender. Absolutely mesmerizing.
I've come to think of Sarah Waters as writing strong and interesting female characters, so I was somewhat disappointed to realize that this book was told from the perspective of a male doctor. He frequently assesses the women in the book based on their physical appearance and their fashion choices, which seemed very male, but also kind of annoying.
But the book won me over with its pacing and its creepy story of the crumbling mansion lashing out at the family living there. I loved the way that th ...more
But the book won me over with its pacing and its creepy story of the crumbling mansion lashing out at the family living there. I loved the way that th ...more
Mar 20, 2020
Cora
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audio-book-at-library,
ebook-at-library,
kindle,
thriller,
historical-fiction,
mystery,
suspense,
paranormal,
horror,
ghosts
I enjoyed reading this book. I really liked how the changing social and cultural aspects of English society play a role in this horror story where a family struggles to hold onto their history. While the characters were not exactly likable, I liked them despite their flaws. They are a people that could be mean and petty, but although they would not be described as warm or kind, they are good people that mean well and are doing the best they can with what they have. The creepy factor was the kind
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The atmosphere and setting in this book was really well created, you could picture Hundred's and the Ayres, and the threatening presence in the house. The way the story slowly unfolded was really well done.
...more
Oct 04, 2009
Stephen
marked it as to-read
May 10, 2010
Kathy
marked it as to-read
Jul 28, 2010
Joanie
marked it as to-read
Aug 14, 2010
Mimi
marked it as to-read
Jan 10, 2011
Rebekah
added it
Mar 08, 2011
Hege
marked it as to-read
Apr 24, 2011
Jean
marked it as to-read
Nov 25, 2015
Carrie
marked it as to-read
