Affinity

The first two thirds of Affinity reminded a great deal of The Snake Pit by Mary Jane Ward, a novel from the point of view of a woman in a sanitarium recovering from a nervous breakdown. But by the middle of second act, as Margaret Prior researches mysticism, the blandness of her life and the lives of the inmates begins to reveal pent up emotions. Under the guise of communion with the "spirits" Affinity spirals into a story filled with sexual tension, intrigue and madness. I was so caught up in Margaret's emotions that I completely missed Selena's devious playing of all the people in her life to ultimately win her freedom and prove in the process that she really did deserve her sentence in Millbank!

'Your twisting is done, you have the last thread of my heart. I wonder when the thread grows slack, will you feel it?' holy shit mother of twisting a story to another territory in a span of 10 pages. just.... i'm still so fucking sad.

This is the equivalent of “Good for Her” cinema

Exquisitely written, beautifully unfolding and desperate story. It's one of the few books I read these days that I wish I could instantly forget so that I can read it fresh over and over again.

I'm not sure I can find fault with this book. It's dark and twisty and heartwrenching, just don't expect quick (and why would you- it's Sarah Waters of the slow burn!) Impeccably told, carefully leading us to the exact places she wants us to be so that each little turn is both shocking and absolutely right. That is a true gift.

This definitely had me fooled right up to the end! I look forward to reading more of Ms Waters' work.

Bleak imagery and a gothic atmosphere, paired with a plot that keeps you guessing up until the last page. I've heard this is deemed one of her weaker novels, so I'm looking forward to picking up one that is more highly regarded in the future. I don't normally read 'page turners' but I thought it was a solid novel to read on a stormy October night.

3,5 przez ten nieznośny początek, smakujący jak rozgotowany makaron. Potem robi się duszno i parno, i czujesz, że wcinasz pastę arabiatta.

The tales she weaves, the plot twists in her books!