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Thursday, June 15, 2017

Wednesday 7th June, 2017 - The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters, chosen by Lizb


The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters



  • published in 2014
  • 564 pages (hardcover)
  • set in 1920's England just after the war
  • shortlisted for the 2014 Bailey's Women's Prize for Fiction
  • on the longlist for the 2015 Walter Scott Prize
  • 2014 Kirkus Prize finalist
  • also nominated for other awards unlisted here
  • we had mixed feelings about this book


  • This is a lengthy novel and took us a while to get into. 

  • It was argued that the lengthiness was necessary as times were slower then and the descriptions were necessary and important, adding to the flavour of the times.

  • For some, the book became a gripping read once you got past the first half of the book.

  • It was interesting from a historical point of view.

  • The role of women was discussed also women and position in early 20th century London.

  • We also talked about the characters, class and social standing of the period.


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