Sarah Waters

[SundownOnTheStair]

Is she ever going to write another book or has she lain down her pen?

Sarah, if you are on here-please hurry along with a new book.

I’ve been wondering the same! Currently reading Tipping the Velvet, which isn’t my favourite, but it’s the last one of hers I’ve got to go at.

I've also wondered this! She is a superb writer.

The only thing I can find is an inteview from 2018 (!) that says
'She’s two years into a new novel, “a kind of cousin to The Little Stranger, but with working-class people”. She’s creeping up the century into the 1950s, a decade she associates fondly with her parents.'

Nothing since. Wonder if Covid/lockdowns threw her off?

I thought this was going to say she's got a book out soon. Sob.

I love Sarah Waters. Wonderful writer.

Might reread the Night Watch. The film adaptation is also very good.

Sorry!

Oh the Little Stranger is my favourite! I hope she gets the next one finished

Spooky timing?

In today's Guardian: www.theguardian.com/books/2022/nov/14/sarah-waters-fingersmith-lesbian-pornography-diabolical-rip-roaring

From the end of the article "This is an edited extract from the afterword in the 20th anniversary edition of Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, published by Virago on 17 November." So still no sign of a new book.

It looks like that's that then.
I see people being compared to Sarah Waters and I usually fall for it, only to find that they are a very poor shadow of her.
I wonder what happened to the novel that @DameHelena referred to upthread.

“I see people being compared to Sarah Waters and I usually fall for it, only to find that they are a very poor shadow of her.“

same. If you do genuinely have any recommendations though in the SW ballpark I’d love to hear them!

I suppose Emma Donaghue might be s similar author but she doesn't sparkle.

It could just be a rumour with nothing to back it up, but a booktuber I was watching recently, who works in publishing, hinted that there could be a new Sarah Waters novel in the offing. I hope so.

It's been a long time, but then Donna Tartt takes about ten years between her novels.

I hope so! Maybe it is the 50s one and it's just taking a long time.

Donna Tartt is due a new book as well, bookshops are full of beautiful 30th anniversary editions of The Secret History though. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie hasn't published a new novel for nearly a decade either.

When I discovered Sarah Waters I read all her novels in quick succession, love her writing so much.

Fingersmith is one of the best books I have ever read.

I didn't love The Little Stranger. I prefer the more sapphic ones

I was making a list (as you do) and I am clear why The Little Stranger is at the bottom.
My list is:
Fingersmith
Tipping the Velvet
The Paying Guests
Affinity
The Night Watch
The Little Stranger

Love her books but I think I haven't read Affinity. Thanks for the tip crosspurposes 😍

I think mine is
Fingersmith
Tipping the Velvet
Affinity
The Little Stranger
The Paying Guests
The Night Watch

I really love the period the first three are set in. I found The Night Watch quite disappointing, actually; didn't really go anywhere IMO. She is always good at evoking period and location/atmosphere though.

One of my favourite books (from any author) is The Paying Guests but I've never been able to get into her other books (yet). Interesting because I know lots of Sarah Waters fans don't rate PG as highly.

I only have Affinity left & been waiting for years. Also hoped this was a here comes a new one!

The paying guests is the only book that I've read that had me wake in the middle of the night panicking. I sat bolt upright & my heart was going & I realised it was because I was so anxious for the characters

I'm actually starting to get pretty pissed off with her now. No one else I could rec that's as great a storyteller. Also love Daphne de Maurier, Amy Tan, Louise O'Neill, Maggie O'Farrell

I was happily reading The Paying Guests in bed, about to turn out my light, and something happened and I had to carry on reading for another two hours!

Hello and thanks for writing. Sarah is deep into her new book and I hope we will have it before too long. Keep watching!

Best Lennie Goodings

message from her publisher

I loved the Little Stranger! One of the best horror books I've read. Absolutely gripping.

Love all her books, so glad she's writing another. I occasionally search her up on Amazon in case she's written another.

What fantastic news!

My order is the same as @DameHelena though maybe wth Affinity=Velvet joint runners up. I want to reread Night Watch though, possibly being too hard on it due to the unexpected shift in style/period.