Affinity
Sarah Waters
1999
352 pages
Published by Riverhead Books, and kudos to them for a terrific cover. I mean look at it…isn’t it gorgeous?
********************
I was supposed to read Affinity as part of Andi‘s readalong, but I kinda got ahead of the game. At first I kept reading because I wanted to get it over with, but then I kept reading because I couldn’t put it down.
Affinity is set during Victorian times, and focuses on both life in a women’s prison, and Spiritualism. Some thoughts…
- The title is most awesome, especially as it references a scene from the book (think soul mate).
- I had a heck of a time in the beginning, figuring out the narrators (the main narrator is Margaret, a young upper middle class woman who visits Millbank, a women’s prison. There are also excerpts from Selina’s diary. Selina is a Spiritualist imprisoned at Millbank.). I actually had to search out the synopsis (which was hiding on the inside, grrrr) to figure that out.
- The first two parts lagged.
- The second two parts were seriously awesome. Which is good, because I was starting to think nothing was ever going to happen.
- What is it about Waters that makes me say awesome all the time?
- I had no idea. Seriously. No Idea. That the book would end that way. I mean I had inklings, but I wasn’t expecting a certain someone’s involvement. And I love that I was surprised like that.
- Also, that last line? Shivers.
- I wish that Margaret would have developed a little spunk. Sure, she had more of a plan at the end of the book, but was it her plan? And she needed to learn to Just Say No. I mean really, Margaret…laudanum? That’s what all the Victorian girls were doing.
- Chloral is a sedative and hypnotic substance. I googled it. This is what Margaret was taking before the laudanum, which makes me wonder if it would’ve been the gateway drug of the times?
- As usual, Waters is a master at setting. So while this may not be my favorite of her novels, it still managed to dump me squarely in Victorian times. If you’ve never read Waters, I wouldn’t start with this one, though. Mainly because as I stated above, it lags.
- I have now read everything by Waters except Tipping the Velvet. But I own it. So…someday.
I really enjoyed this one … I have yet to find a Waters book that I DIDN’T like!
I keep meaning to read one of Sarah Waters books. If this is not the one to start with, which one do you suggest? I think I’m the last person that hasn’t read this author! LOL
Kay´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday 2 – April 11th
After reading Fingetsmith, I went out and bought all of Waters’ other books, but haven’t gotten the chance to read them yet. It sounds like this one was excellent, which is wonderful, because it’s just waiting on my shelf for me to pick it up! Great review, Jill! I am glad you loved it!
zibilee´s last [type] ..Dancing with Gravity by Anene Tressler — 298 pgs GIVEAWAY
I have not read this one, but have read 3 other Waters (including Tipping the Velvet) and they were all awesome, so I don’t know why I’m waiting…
rhapsodyinbooks´s last [type] ..Review of “Love to Langston” by Tony Medina
It’s funny – Jason first told me I didn’t want to read this one, but by the end, he’d changed his mind. I actually had no more plans to read Waters since Fingersmith was such a disaster for me, but I might give this one a try. Good to know it lags in the beginning. I’m guessing that’s why Jason made it a third of the way through in the fall ’09 Readathon but never finished, then when he picked it up a few weeks ago, he finished in a couple days and never wanted to put the book down…
Oooh, I’m intrigued. I’ve never read Waters, but heard good things. Adding to the ever-growing list…
Kerry´s last [type] ..Quick Roundup Week in Reading
I’ve still only read THE LITTLE STRANGER of Waters’s work. I do *adore* that cover, but after reading your review I’m undecided about this one, particularly the part where you had to search out the synopsis to figure out what was going on.
Jen – Devourer of Books´s last [type] ..The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen – Book Review
I own (and haven’t read) Tipping the Velvet too. The thing about the Chloral makes sense when I think about some of the things Margaret thought she felt or saw.
Chrisbookarama´s last [type] ..What the Librarian Did by Karina Bliss- Review
I love Waters but have yet to read this one. Definitely want to! PS I love Tipping the Velvet!
Ok, not I seriously want to read this book! And that cover is kind of haunting, no? I’m nervous about the first part, but will know just to slog through till the middle and I’ll be good to go.
Wallace´s last [type] ..Girl- Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
I’ve only read The Little Stranger, but I have this and I plan on it being my next Waters. I’m seriously curious about the last line now, so I ‘spects it’ll be soon!
Heather´s last [type] ..It’s Monday! What Are You Reading This Week
That cover is gorgeous! I really need to try Waters’ work – everyone seems to love it. I think I’m somewhat intimidated, though.
I think I stated boldly once or twice (or every time Waters’ name comes up) that I’d have her babies. Tipping the Velvet is the only one I haven’t read. And not because I’m lazy but because I’m trying to stretch out her books, because I’m not seeing any evidence of another one coming soon. I love her so. Loved this one. The narration and timing confused me a little but I just kept pushing through and eventually it all came together, like I knew it would. Waters is a goddess.
Sandy´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon- The Busy Sandy Edition
I loved this book, especially the ending! I too have Tipping the Velvet on my shelf which I have yet to read although I saw the TV adaptation years ago. My favourite is still The Night Watch and I have to admit Fingersmith didn’t do much for me. So of course I had to go and get it to re-read just to see what I missed.
sakura´s last [type] ..The Swimmer by Roma Tearne
I really liked this one! I actually prefer it to Fingersmith. Maybe only because I read it first? Quite possibly. I thought the atmosphere was EGG-sell-aunt. I have The Night Watch on my shelf to read, too, and hope to get to it soon-ish.
Aarti´s last [type] ..Musings- A Spy in the House
I still haven’t read Waters. I’m afraid at this point, since so many people love her, I will pick up a book of hers and despises it, thus being shunned from the book blogging community.
Okay, okay. Maybe I exaggerate a wee bit.
I’ve only read Fingersmith but I know I need to keep going with her. So many books and not enough time!
Jenners´s last [type] ..Review- Half A Life by Darin Strauss
Waters and awesome go together really really well. I must read more of her.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon- Unsuitable Reads
YESSSSSS!!! I’m so glad this was a big winner for you – it’s my favourite Waters. Even though it’s made me scared of hair.
Lyndsey´s last [type] ..See you at Hay
Excellent to know that the book picks up in the last section. When I started reading it the first time, I got a bit bored and didn’t finish. It helps to know that it improves at the end, although of course I should have just had faith in Sarah Waters.
Jenny´s last [type] ..Rereading
I stopped reading at “I had no idea. Seriously. No Idea.” Scared to know any more! Have this one on the shelf and really should have added it to my post today but since I’ve only had it for a year I didn’t think it quite qualified.
Sounds like this one is better than Little Strangers, though, eh?
Trish´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon 43- Books Id LOVE to Read Right Now
OK, I need to finish the damn book. I want to know what’s so great about the last line.
Andi´s last [type] ..Is That a Book Holding Onto My Nosehairs
I read this book like three years ago and I still want the hours back that I wasted reading it. (Interestingly the one you haven’t read, Tipping the Velvet, is my favorite Waters book.)
Cass´s last [type] ..READATHON- Ze End- with Mini-Reviews