Reviews

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

tabatha_shipley's review

4.0

Genre
Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis
A home in postwar England, Hundreds Hall, is visited by Doctor Faraday. That is the beginning of strange happenings at the once majestic hall. You'll be wrapped up in the tale, as the house fades around the Ayres family. What is happening to them all? Could it be something supernatural or is there a more logical explanation?

Why Should You Read It?
This one is haunting and wonderful. A cross between Downton Abbey and The Shining. Highly recommended (and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the ending if you've read it).

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
How to wind up slowly in a thriller so that the reader doesn't even notice they are also become worried and nervous.

Overall Rating
4 smiles and a wink.

http://tabreviewd.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-little-stranger-by-sarah-waters.html

marlisphillips's review against another edition

2.0

I guess i'm just not into this genre anymore. The book dragged for me. I read several books in between because I just couldn't get into it. I'm glad it's done.

offbrandmusclemilk's review

5.0

4.5 stars, mostly because I occasionally wanted to put it down. I kept getting this feeling that I've read this before, but as far as I know I haven't.

lesliekyla's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

ekmook's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

laurnd11's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

chelseatm's review against another edition

3.0

At times, certain parts of the book dragged and meandered too long on certain areas but overall, I thought it was a good book. The slow parts built up the suspenseful parts and the suspenseful parts justified the slow parts. I also found the end very well satisfying even if I didn't find the protagonist very engaging or likeable. I will recommend this book.

lurker_stalker's review against another edition

4.0

After reading mixed reviews, I wasn't sure what to expect and almost quit listening to the audio book. I'm glad I didn't.

I rounded up from 3.5 because Sarah Waters is a great story teller. I felt it was a bit longer than it needed to be but, contrary to many others, I enjoyed the end. Quite a bit.

deanna_rigney's review against another edition

2.0

With a British spinster, family madness, and a haunted mansion you’d think this book would rock my world, but alas it didn’t even gently sway it. Ms. Waters is obviously a skilled writer, but this particular story goes on for an eternity without a satisfying return for the reader’s time. It‘s intriguing with a slow and steady suspense, but unfortunately the characters lack much in the way of likability or edginess making it hard to care about what happens to them. And the narrator, Dr. Faraday, seems a total tool, plus his great diagnosis for everyone is, “You must be tired!” Tired of your inability to take a hint maybe, but I digress into spoiler mode. The lack of any real resolution is by far my biggest complaint about this book, but as complaints go that’s a biggie for me.

katieinca's review against another edition

4.0

Unsettling. Very different from the other Sarah Waters books I've read.