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The Little Stranger

Sarah Waters

Start date: August 1, 2009

Finish date: September 30, 2009

Discussion: Group Book Discussion

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What Members Thought

Sep 12, 2009 Amy rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, rec-ig-blogs-friends-other, read-in-2011, busy-as-a-bee-books-group

Overall, I liked the novel. But, I cannot forget the fact that it took over 100 pages to even remotely get my attention. I'd even go so far as to say the first 100 pages bored me to tears and could be one of the major flaws of this book as it makes it entirely easy for readers to give up! I'm glad I came back and tried it again but that first 100 pages made it a must less impactful book than it could have been. So, the rest of what I say is about the parts of the book AFTER 100 pages.

I really e Overall, I liked the novel. But, I cannot forget the fact that it took over 100 pages to even remotely get my attention. I'd even go so far as to say the first 100 pages bored me to tears and could be one of the major flaws of this book as it makes it entirely easy for readers to give up! I'm glad I came back and tried it again but that first 100 pages made it a must less impactful book than it could have been. So, the rest of what I say is about the parts of the book AFTER 100 pages.

I really enjoyed this book - very gothic, creepy and unique. There is a lot of intrigue throughout the book, it kept me on my toes. Although the character development was a WIN of this book, in my opinion, I did think that the level of detail was a bit extreme. There were moments where I was so overwhelmed with the detailed descriptions that I just rushed through to something more 'meaty.' So, I may well have missed nuances of the story as a result. Less detailed descriptions would have eliminated the possibility. These detailed descriptions make the plot feel like it creeps along soooo slowly sometimes. It's just not a positive thing for the reader.

However, the character and the sense of place in the novel were outstanding. They really made this book come alive for me. There were parts of the book that were truly creepy. Don't want to turn off the light creepy. Looking behind you creepy.

A great deal of the novel focused on the themes around post-war Britain and the downfall of aristocracy. This wasn't as interesting to me as it might have been to some. That aspect of the novel was interesting of course but not what really stuck out to me. It's the psychological aspects of the story that really connected with me.

Overall, this was a nice gothic tale but it wasn't all that I'd hoped it would be. It's a bit slow, a bit creepy and a bit intriguing. And, ultimately, a very difficult book to rate ... I'm going with 3 although part of me feels that I'm being too generous. I recommend this one but with a lot of reservations due to the pacing issues and the sheer horribleness (is that a word??) of the first 100 pages. It's slow, the first 100 pages especially - if you stick with it, it gets better. If you like gothic stories, this may be just the book for you! ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

May 02, 2009 Gayla Bassham rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2009-reads, best-books-of-2009

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. It's no Fingersmith. Let's get that out of the way right away, because that's Sarah Waters's best-known and probably best-loved book (I actually prefer Affinity, but I'm weird that way).

Having said that, if you've liked and enjoyed Sarah Waters's books before, I think you will like this one. I loved it. It's a little slow getting started--the vaunted ghost doesn't appear until about a third of the way through the book--but it's very absorbing and I was hooked by the end of the first chapter. I ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 25, 2009 The Sassy Bookworm rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really rather enjoyed this one! This was my first time reading anything from this author and I was honestly blown away, the writing is so atmospheric and beautiful. The story doesn't move along at a fast pace, but rather a slow methodical buildup, with detailed descriptions and wonderfully spooky happenings! Even though the story moves along slowly, I could not put this book down and finished it in two days. If you like old fashion Gothic reads, then this would definitely be one to add to you ...more

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Feb 13, 2010 Kathy rated it liked it

Shelves: england, mystery

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 ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 01, 2009 Bookmarks Magazine rated it really liked it

Shelves: july-aug-2009

At its core, The Little Stranger is an old-fashioned ghost story, complete with spooky house, eccentric inhabitants, an air of general madness and malcontent, and a narrator who may not be as mild-mannered as he seems. What elevates this novel from the crowded genre is Waters's ability to evoke the subtleties of the past as she skillfully weaves tension and dread into each paragraph. The reviewer from Newsday likened this tale to the psychological classic The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Ja

...more

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Jul 12, 2010 Jessica rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

I loved this book, as I have just about everyting from this author. This is the perfect book if you love a little spine tingling unexplained happenings at an old english manor falling apart at the seams while the family trying to keep it all together begins to unravel as well.

Was worried I might get to the end and be disappointed; the kind where nothing is tied up and it just ends, or you feel like it was rushed for the authors deadline and things come together way too easily. In fact, I was no ...more

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Sep 13, 2009 Melissa rated it liked it

Shelves: gloomy, lifes-too-short

This book was a selection of my online book group through Goodreads. It just didn't grab me, and having limited reading time means I don't stick with stuff as long probably. But I read more than 200 pages, and the ghost story element was just getting into swing. In the meantime, I had built no attachment to any of the characters and found no believability in the idea that this doctor had become such a part of the family's life.

I'm certainly not someone who needs a thrill-a-minute plot, but if th ...more

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Sep 17, 2010 Denise rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, female-author, mann-booker-list-or-winner

I read this book beccause the title jumped out at me, as well as because it was a Man Booker Prize finalist. I don't usually read gothic, but I loved this novel. It is the story of an old, formerly wealthy family living in an old manor that was pretty much falling down around them and their friendship with a country doctor, Dr. Faraday. Some spooky things started happening in the mansion that nobody could explain...and never do. The book started out a bit slow for my taste but ended up being a r ...more

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May 09, 2010 Karen rated it really liked it

Shelves: man-booker-list-before-2018

I really enjoyed this book-a real page turner. However I was expecting to be quite scared, I was not. Some review I read said don't read this book before bed. With that said I hope it wins the Orange Prize for fiction. ...more

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Jul 14, 2010 Joye rated it liked it

Was a very interesting mystery set in England in the 1940's. I wasn't satisfied with the ending, however. ...more

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Jul 09, 2010 Janelle rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: bookclub, 2010-reads

I really debated if I wanted to give this book 2 or 3 stars right up until the end. I felt that the book was way too long. When I look back on it, I can't think of enough things that justified it taking up 500+ pages. I also hate that it really did tell us the cause of the problems. Or did it and I just missed it? ...more

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