[amazon_link id=”1594633118″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]Title : The Paying Guests
Author : Sarah Waters
Narrator : Juliet Stevenson
Genre : Historical
Publisher : Penguin Audio
Listening Length : 21 hours 28 minutes
Rating : 4.5/5

It is the 1920s and Frances Wray and her mother live in genteel poverty in their South London home. Their financial situation has forced them to take in paying-guests, a young couple, Leonard and Lilian Barber. The Barbers are happy to have a home in such a “posh” location, and the Wray women must get used to the idea of sharing their home with veritable strangers.

The Barbers appear nice enough, although it is made clear to the reader that there is a difference of class between the Wrays and the Barbers. The ever practical and pragmatic Frances Wray, considered an aging spinster at 26, becomes friends with Mrs. Barber, but that harmless friendship is just a prelude to the unexpected events around the corner.

Let me say, from the get-go, that Sarah Waters is a wonderful, wonderful writer. In a historical novel, such as this one, I look forward to learning about that time-period – the dress, customs, norms, practical little things like what they ate, and whether they used candles, or lamps or electricity at night. Waters did not disappoint here; this book contains many descriptions of the people, the places, the social mores and societal expectations, all beautifully done! Because of the minuteness in the way these descriptions are provided, the book moved languorously, but so skilled is the author, that I waited on every word.

“The Paying Guests” is written in the third person, but told from Frances’ point of view – we hear what she thinks, because it is around her that the plot revolves. The characters are solid and consistent, and we get to know Frances, her mother, Mr. and Mrs. Barber very well. Waters’ prose is meticulous and lyrical, detailing out for us the nooks and crannies of each character; I feel like I would recognize them, were they to come face-to-face.

I will say that this book, laden with atmosphere, developed in a very unexpected way. From the reviews I read before I picked this up, I had expected romance, intrigue and a murder mystery, but I was taken completely by surprise at the events which led to this intrigue. If that were not enough, we are fortunate to have it narrated by Juliet Stevenson, who does an exceptional job. She brings to life all the characters in the book, (and there are many) male, female, young, old, and doubles the pleasure of this excellent novel.

I am so pleased to have listened to this remarkable work. Highly recommended.