The Paying Guests is a historical fiction novel written by Sarah Waters. Set in 1922 London, the story revolves around the lives of Frances Wray and her mother, Mrs. Wray, who are forced to take in lodgers, or “paying guests,” to make ends meet after the death of Mr. Wray and the family’s financial decline due to the aftermath of World War I.

Frances, a thirty-year-old spinster, is burdened with the responsibility of managing the household and caring for her mother. The arrival of Leonard and Lilian Barber, a young married couple, as their lodgers brings significant changes to their lives. Initially, Frances is apprehensive about sharing her home with strangers but gradually develops a friendship with Lilian.

As Frances and Lilian spend more time together, their relationship deepens into a passionate affair. The novel explores themes of forbidden love, desire, and societal expectations in a time when homosexuality was considered illegal and highly stigmatized. The secret affair between Frances and Lilian becomes increasingly risky as they navigate the complexities of their emotions while trying to maintain appearances.

However, their relationship takes a dark turn when an unexpected tragedy occurs within the walls of the Wray household. The consequences of this event force Frances and Lilian to make difficult choices that will have far-reaching implications for their future.

Waters skillfully captures the atmosphere of post-war London, depicting the social and economic changes that affected both the upper and lower classes. The novel delves into class tensions, gender roles, and the constraints placed on women during this era. Through vivid descriptions and meticulous attention to detail, Waters creates a richly immersive world that transports readers back in time.

“The Paying Guests” is not only a love story but also a suspenseful thriller that keeps readers on edge until its gripping conclusion. Waters masterfully weaves together elements of romance, mystery, and historical fiction, creating a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of societal norms.

• The Paying Guests

• By: Sarah Waters
• Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson

From the best-selling author of The Little Stranger, a gripping novel about a widow and her daughter who brings a young couple back to their home in 1920s London.

It’s 1922, and London is tense. Disillusioned ex-soldier; the unemployed and the hungry are demanding change. And in South London, in a opulent Camberwell mansion, a vast silent home now devoid of brothers, husbands and even servants, life is about to change when impoverished widow Mrs. Wray and her unmarried daughter, Frances, are forced to take on boarders.

With the arrival of Lilian and Leonard Barber, a modern “secretary class” young couple, the daily routines of the house will be disrupted in unexpected ways. Little does the Wrays know how profoundly their new tenants will change Frances’ life – or, as passion grows and frustration builds, how far-reaching and devastating the disturbances will be.

Three-time shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, Sarah Waters has earned a reputation as one of our greatest historical fiction writers, and here she goes again. A love story, a tense crime story, and a stunning portrait of a fascinating time and place, Paying Guests is Sarah Waters’ finest achievement.

I find myself smiling at the strange combination of riding on a ferry (with all the different activities involved in loading a boat) and the narrative of this book as I do so. It’s funny because this book should have been accompanied by a symphony playing while you listen to the subtle writing that emerges as you arrange a very unusual story. Sarah Waters has a gift for language combined with the ability to organize a story in a way that captivates you on every page.

And then there’s Juliet Stevenson, who I consider the best storyteller at Audible. I thought she could read the phone book and I would listen — but knowing that this isn’t a phone book, the combination was intriguing. Can not be ignored.

You will need to read through the first 1/3 or even the first 1/2 of this book before it REALLY engages you. After that, I was hooked and eager to see how things would turn out. Sarah Waters did a great job of getting you inside her characters, especially Frances. I could almost feel everything she was feeling. When she and Lil were scared, I was scared too. The opening is a bit too catchy, but, like I said, once it’s past the opening, I don’t really care. I just want to read it. I love that feeling.
In addition, there are some interesting ethical and moral questions to consider. Should the two women admit what they did? How does society view the relationships in the book? (try not to give anything away here!)
I like the ending. It’s space for things to develop without tying the plot into a knot for the reader. Overall it’s a really satisfying book.

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