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592
Novel • Fiction
London, England • 1920s
2014
Adult
18+ years
The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters is set in 1920s London and follows Frances Wray and her mother, who take in lodgers Lilian and Leonard Barber to make ends meet. Frances and Lilian develop a close friendship that leads to a secret love affair, ultimately resulting in a tragic crime that changes their lives. Topics include domestic violence and abortion.
Suspenseful
Mysterious
Emotional
Dark
Melancholic
100,297 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Sarah Waters' The Paying Guests explores intense emotions and complex relationships set in post-WWI London. Critics praise its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and vivid historical setting. Some feel the pacing lags in the middle sections, and the tone can become oppressive. Overall, it's lauded for its rich, immersive storytelling and psychological depth.
Fans of The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters typically enjoy historical fiction infused with intricate psychological drama and forbidden romance. Readers who appreciated Fingersmith or The Night Watch, also by Waters, or E.M. Forster's Howards End and Ian McEwan's Atonement, will find this novel captivating.
100,297 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Lilian Barber
A tenant in the Wray household, she is married to Leonard and becomes an important presence in Frances's life, bringing vividness and complexity to her world.
Leonard Barber
An assessor's clerk and Lilian's husband, his interactions with Frances and Lilian lead to significant developments in the story.
Mrs. Emily Wray
Frances's mother, who clings to conservative values and the memories of her past, shaping the domestic and social challenges Frances faces.
Christina
Frances's former girlfriend who now shares a life with someone else, remaining a touchstone for Frances and her unrealized dreams.
Inspector Kempe
A Scotland Yard detective with a challenging demeanor, overseeing the investigation of a critical event that impacts Frances's life.
Stevie
An art teacher and the current partner of Christina, representing the life Frances once envisioned for herself.
Edith
Once engaged to Frances's deceased brother, she remains a warm acquaintance of the Wray family and a symbol of conventional societal success.
Spencer Ward
A young man entangled in a significant investigation, whose past actions influence his current predicament.
Billie Grey
A woman with ties to Leonard, her personal history adds tension and depth to the unfolding events.
Mrs. Viney
Lilian's mother, who is characterized by her loving, though boisterous, presence.
Charles Wismuth
A friend of Leonard, whose actions and choices add complexity to his own life and the unfolding events.
Douglas Barber
Leonard's older brother, whose strong presence and resemblance to Leonard impact Frances's emotional journey.
592
Novel • Fiction
London, England • 1920s
2014
Adult
18+ years
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