Sample Saturday is when I wade through the eleventy billion samples I have downloaded on my Kindle. I’m slowly chipping away and deciding whether it’s buy or bye.
This week, all three books are by Sarah Waters. I read The Paying Guests this year and although I didn’t rave about it, it was certainly a light, entertaining read. Waters fans urged me to try some of her other novels, so I’m letting you decide – which one should I read next?
Summary: Nan is captivated by music hall star, Kitty Butler, a male impersonator. Becomes her dresser (and I suspect more).
Summary: Country physician, Dr. Faraday, is called to a patient at lonely Hundreds Hall. Home to the Ayres family for over two centuries, the house is now in decline, as is the family.
Summary: Sue Trinder is an orphan, left as an infant in the care of Mrs. Sucksby, who also hosts a transient family of petty thieves—fingersmiths. One of these thieves makes Sue an enticing offer.
I’ve read all of these & the only one I can’t really remember is The Little Stranger. I’ve a vague recollection…
I voted for Velvet, but Bowie put Fingersmith in his Top 100 books, so a pretty big endorsement there!
I voted for Fingersmith but it could just as easily have been Velvet. The Little Stranger left me cold.
Fingersmith is absolutely my favorite. Tipping the Velvet is also very good, but not quite as breathtaking, in my humble opinion. I could take or leave The Little Stranger.
I voted for The Little Stranger; I was astounded at how well she evoked gothic writing. But I loved Fingersmith as well – and then you can watch the BBC series and the Korean film adaptation. But you know, they’re all great.