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Just finished the first chapter and I am in awe of Waters' writing once again. Just exquisite!

I am very much an advocate for the Free Library and I tried to reserve a copy and I just don't know when my copy would become available.

I am not quite ready to buy e-books and I think $30 is too much for a hardcover.

But I am particularly eager to read this novel.

I read this in August and I'm very curious what everyone else thought of it...

It's my third book by Waters and compared to the other two (Tipping the Velvet and Fingersmith) I was kind of disappointed... I really enjoyed Waters' writing style but the story itself just didn't pick up pace.

I wrote a review for the book, if anyone's interested. Doesn't contain spoiles (besides the synopsis that's also on GR):
http://blog.brilliantyears.net/archiv...

It's rather expensive, so I'll also wait for it to appear in my library. :/

I'm about halfway through. What I thought would happen has, and although I enjoyed some of the descriptions I've found it rather slow.

Jaye wrote: "I've found it rather slow."

Sooooo slow ... and yet UTTERLY gripping.

I'm coming up to the half way mark and would agree that it's slow, but (and it's a big but) I am so engrossed in the characters' lives, I am hooked.

I know what you mean by that. What she needs is a sex trip to the islands to loosen her up.

:) I'm happy to see that you got a sense of humor. It is becoming harder and harder to laugh lately.

Oh golly, you'd be surprised what drives people to each other. It amazes me how this world is so driven by heterosexism and heterocentric privilege.

I am number 106 on the reserve list for the next copy to check out from the Free Library. You may be done with the book by the time I can check out a copy. I've read other reviews about this novel. It's a mixed bag. So I guess the authoress is doing something right to elicit such varying responses. I have found myself suspicious of universal praise.

Oh I forgot to click 'post'.

I'm still working my way through this. It's not very eventful but immersive is the word. I love it.

Jonathan wrote: "I'm still working my way through this. It's not very eventful but immersive is the word. I love it."

Yes, I was quite mesmerised by how I managed to stay so gripped when nothing was really happening.

It is nice so far. Still waiting for the climax or a least a plot twist.

I read from 50 to 65% last night and after the not-very-much-happening-but-brilliantly-written phase, it has exploded!

Jonathan wrote: "I read from 50 to 65% last night and after the not-very-much-happening-but-brilliantly-written phase, it has exploded!"

I wish I could erase my memory and read it again!

95% and I can't wait to see how it ends. The second half is much more action-based than the first but I love both halves. Review to follow.

Just written my review at http://www.100wordreviews.com/blog/th...

I'll paste it below for ease:

The Review: Sarah Waters’ writing is never less than exquisite in her latest. Frances and her mother must rent out rooms to stay in their house. Enter Lilian and Leonard, a couple who will, eventually, turn Frances’s life upside-down.

The first half is a masterclass in how to write nearly 300 pages with not much going on at all; yet so much happens beneath the surface. Then, an incident happens which almost feels like a bomb exploding in a silent room. The pace picks up and things spiral downward to a conclusion which could have gone either way until the final page.

The Verdict: The pacing is often slow; it's thus a remarkable achievement that it kept me so completely absorbed in the characters' lives. Stunning.

Emma wrote: "Did I resd the same book as you guys? Yes,it was slowly paced, but that was the times and her characters. I found it beautifully written, all the characters sublime, and another cracker of a novel ..."

You read the same book as me! I loved it. I should make it clear that the slow pace comments weren't intended as criticism. Not many can write at that pace and do so successfully. Bring on the next one, Ms Waters!

I recently started this and I'm a bit surprised why how slow it's building up. After reading the comments here, sounds like that's the general consensus. Saying that, I'm still loving her writing and I'm intrigued. Not sure yet how it compares to my favorites by her: Tipping the Velvet and Fingersmith. I adored those two books.

I've enjoyed reading everyone's reviews on this book. I'm glad some of you guys were happy with the book! I've read all of Waters' novels and I have to say that this one was a miss for me. I think it was just a bit too slow for me and I honestly didn't care much for the characters. I've loved all her previous work with the exception of Affinity (and now this one), so I still think she's a brilliant writer and storyteller.

Courtney wrote: "I've read all of Waters' novels and I have to say that this one was a miss for me."

It seems that, generally, people who have read Sarah Waters's previous work didn't like this one. This was my first Sarah Waters and I loved it.

Was it the slow pace /too much detail /lack of action? Or was it just very different from her other books?

I stayed up till 2 AM reading this book, so needless to say, I was engrossed. There's a realism to it that's present in The Night Watch, but not so much Waters' other novels. Still, it's not a book that I'll revisit again and again, or stick in my memory like Tipping the Velvet or Fingersmith.

Although it is a bit slow, there's something about the characterization and the flow of Waters' writing that had me reading at a good pace. Plus, I was actually quite surprised by the ending (no spoilers here).

I admit, this is my first Waters book and I enjoyed it, but now that I've read it maybe I'll finally get to her other books.

I read this last month but I'm really interested to hear what others thought of it. I absolutely loved it, the characterisations were absolutely superb and the characters are still with me now. Possibly my second favourite Sarah Waters book.

I finished the book last week but haven't had time to write my review. The ending shocked me. At first I wasn't sure if I liked this book, with the slow start, but I have to say her writing cast a spell on me and I thought the characterization was right on for the time period. Not my favorite book by her, but one of the best books I read in 2014.

I read Fingersmith last month, my first Sarah Waters, so I was really hoping to love The Paying Guests and didn't. I didn't give up on it, I read the whole thing, but I'm not sure why.

It didn't butter my scone. But I haven't given up on Sarah Waters and hope to get Tipping the Velvet and others of her novels.

Is there anyone who read Fingersmith first who enjoyed The Paying Guests, I wonder? I was fortunate enough to read them the other way round.