Affinity by Sarah Waters Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Affinity
Book Review: Interesting in a Weird Way
Summary: 3 Stars
"Affinity," by Sarah Waters, is a dark Victorian novel that takes an interesting look at the Spiritualist movement and the Victorian prison system. The protagonist, Margaret Prior, ventures to Millbank Prison to council the prisoners and make them be fine, respectable women like herself. Inside the prison, Prior meets Selina Dawes, a spirit medium with the face of an angel. Prior and Dawes strike an unusual and sensual friendship which threatens to unroot Prior's whole world.
"Affinity" was definitely not what I expected. That is not to say I did not thoroughly enjoy it. I am a huge fan of the Victorian novel, so I was very pleased with this fan, although I admit it took me quite some time to actually bring myself to read this novel. Affinity sat on my bookshelf for almost a year and I just could not pick it up and read it. The time obviously came though.
The look at the Victorian Gaol system and the Spiritualist movement was quite interesting. Also of interest were the lesbian undertones in this novel. The novel is very female-centric with all of the emphasis on female relationships. Margaret is very obviously a lesbian. She was in love with her best friend, Helen, who was apparently in love with her at some point, but forsakes Margaret for Margaret's brother, Stephen. Margaret and Seline develop a lesbianic attachment to each other that goes beyond simple, female friendship. The way in which Waters conveys this relationship to the reader is rather ingenious. Waters is an author I will definitely be keeping my eye on.
Book Review: It IS an erotic novel!
Summary: 5 Stars
I notice one of the reviewers here said this is not an erotic novel. In fact, it's more erotic than a novel that actually involves graphic sexual actions or thoughts. What a fabulous storyteller is Sarah Waters. I've read every one I can get my hands on, and can't wait to read her latest. She's right up there in my pantheon of Great Women Writers/Literary Goddesses - Joyce Carol Oates, Toni Morrison...wow. I get lost in her wor(l)ds.Book Review: It is all about Affinity!
Summary: 5 Stars
...and it is indeed! Ms Waters' erudition surpasses anything I have ever imagined. I have seen the adaptation of this great work on DVD, and I must say that in unison with the book, Affinity leaves one completely exhausted, haunted, and with a heart full of emotions one cannot describe sometimes. Someone already wrote that unless you are looking for an erotic novel(this is not in the least), Affinity will give you a lot more than just the physical closeness between two women, it is about love, it is about longing, it is about trying to find your own identity, your own affinity.
This is a definite "must" read!
Book Review: It's no Fingersmith
Summary: 3 Stars
I read this book on the strength of Fingersmith, and was disappointed. It takes FOREVER to really get into - and while the end is very good and ties everything together, I'm not sure it was worth the wade required.Book Review: It's okay
Summary: 3 Stars
Well, this book is somewhat of departure from Ms. Waters other novels, 'Tipping the Velvet' and 'Fingersmith.' While it is still a good read, it leaves something wanting in the end. To be honest I felt like . . . I read all this way for this? I guess the happy endings in her previous works colored my expectations. In the end I just felt kinda robbed, and a little sad. Again, I read this book with preconceived ideas based on the author's previous works, but this book does have some very good and unexpected twists. All in all this is a good book so long as you don't go in with the expectation of a happy ending, well it was happy for somebody, but not me.