Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters - should I keep going?

28 replies

HollyGoHeavily · 19/01/2010 10:07

I have loved all of Sarah Waters books so I bought The Little Stranger without reading anything about it. I am now slightly horrified to find out that it seems to be a ghost story. I am quite a wimp when it comes to the supernatural (annoyingly!) and I've got to Chapter 6 when the first spooky occurence is described and I found it really unsettling. Embarrassingly, for a 30+ year old woman, I found myself bolting up the stairs in the dark faster than I have done in about 10 years...

I have really enjoyed the book up to this part and I want to know what happens. So, is the book so good that I should keep reading and consider all the therapy I will need afterwards as a good investment? Or should I just read a précis off the internet and save myself the trauma????

OP posts:
greenday · 19/01/2010 10:15

Here's an abstract from a review I recently read :

The book was praised for combining spookiness with sharp social observation and impeccable period detail.

'One of the best ghost stories of the decade, let alone 2009, which plays upon, and bends (and electrocutes) the reader's expectations' - David Mitchell, The Guardian

'.. proper, muscle-flexing storytelling - I was in awe and did not want it to end.' - Julie Myerson, The Observer

'A writer who can really stand your hair on end.' - Sam Leith, Daily Mail

Hope that helps you to make your decision. I am definitely planning to read her book one of these days!

GetOrfMoiLand · 19/01/2010 10:18

I read this in one sitting on Sunday. I thought it was bloody fantastic albeit very unsettling.

I have never read a ghost story in my life, to be honest the brilliant thjing about the book, imo, is the ambiguity, whether it is in fact a ghost or in fact psychological.

I would keep on going if I were you - yes it is a chiller but excellent.

Have never read any of her other stuff but certainly will now.

Original poster
HollyGoHeavily · 19/01/2010 10:24

I'll keep going then - will you come and hold me hand if it all gets too much???

I love her writing - I thought The Night Watch was excellent and Tipping the Velvet is also very good. I wasn't that keen on Fingersmith but I see to be in a minority with that view....

OP posts:
SydneyScarborough · 19/01/2010 10:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Alicetheinvisible · 19/01/2010 10:28

Could you just read it in daylight

SydneyScarborough · 19/01/2010 10:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

BornToFolk · 19/01/2010 10:31

I just finished this. I really enjoyed it but I had a problem with the ending which I won't go into as I don't want to spoilt it for you!

It was really unsettling in parts. Really creepy and chilling. Very well written.

notyummy · 19/01/2010 10:33

Oooh, have just finished chapter one of this! Finding it a slow burn - although knew it was a ghost story so was kind of hoping that would kick in before chapter 6. Will stick with it though. Am keping myself amused by imagining who will play the characters in the (inevitable) TV adaptation.

Am also reading The 19th Wife, which is excellent and would recommend.

Original poster
HollyGoHeavily · 19/01/2010 10:39

Sydney - no I haven't read Affinity - i'll search that out next - thanks

OP posts:
fishie · 19/01/2010 10:39

i finished this yesterday, has taken me absolutely ages mainly because it is so bloody big in library binding.

i too felt there could have been something more to it, but it is so well written i don't really mind and would still recommend it.

Original poster
HollyGoHeavily · 19/01/2010 10:39

Actually, after reading that you have described it as 'more affecting and disturbing' I may not...

OP posts:
theyoungvisiter · 19/01/2010 10:43

it gets spookier.

So if you are finding it too much now, you will be biting your nails in 2 chapters time!

A precis wouldn't really work because it's so ambiguous that you have to really read it, weigh up all the tiny little phrases and pointers, and make up your own mind what Waters is saying.

It's a bit like Turn of the Screw in that respect - there are a lot of questions and not many answers.

lucyellensmumagain · 19/01/2010 10:44

oh ive been wondering about getting this - i just can't seem to get into anything lately. Having just started a thread about Kate Moss sepulchre - i can't be doing with it, tis rubbish - as all of the other posters have said.

Thing what put me off this was i have read all of her other books, apart from tipping the velvet as i saw this on TV first and can't read a book once ive seen it on TV. But i recently tried to read "the night watch" (is that what its called?) and just couldnt get on with it at all?? Has anyone else found this - its all retrospective and i havent a clue what is going on

Perhaps its just me, ive not been able to get into a book since before xmas - perhaps im going mad

lucyellensmumagain · 19/01/2010 10:45

I like spooky, but does it involve children, im not sure i can cope with that

theyoungvisiter · 19/01/2010 10:59

It does involve children a bit but not in a really distressing way.

Mrs Ayres lost her first child and there is a suggestion that the spirit in the house may be a manifestation of this - but it's never spelled out.

There is also a scene where a little girl is attacked by a dog.

pofarced · 19/01/2010 11:06

It is pretty clear what is going on by the end and it is not what you think. It is a wonderful subtly feminist take on the whole 'poltergeist' idea. Loved the book.

GetOrfMoiLand · 19/01/2010 11:12

Agree pofaced but it is difficult to spell it out without spoiling the book for whose who have not finished it.

I was thinking about it all Sunday night. Was really impressed by it, a cracking read.

LEM - throw Sepulchre away, it's shite, and try this instead.

lucyellensmumagain · 19/01/2010 11:15

ok i will

theyoungvisiter · 19/01/2010 11:17

Well see I thought it was fairly obvious what was going on but when I discussed it with friends, we all had a different take!

I agree there is a pretty persuasive bit right at the end (which is the theory I incline to and I suspect you do as well) but there are several ways to look at it and, I think deliberately, no completely "right" answer.

Also even if you incline to the [cough cough] theory, there are several ways to look at it - projection/psychological delusion/calculated intent etc. You only have one version of events to go on so you don't know how accurate that version is, don't forget.

Arg, this is really hard to do without spoiling!

passionberry · 19/01/2010 11:24

There were a few scenes that send a shiver up my spine even thinking of them now!

Was a great read though - I would carry on and sleep with the light on for a few nights if necessary! Let us know how you get on!

pofarced · 19/01/2010 11:27

yes sorry trying not to spoil it!

BornToFolk · 19/01/2010 11:45

Can we start another thread to discuss the ending?! I felt like I didn't quite get it so would be interested to hear what other people thought...

theyoungvisiter · 19/01/2010 12:03

oo yes do - will you start it and link back here?

GetOrfMoiLand · 19/01/2010 12:06

Yes I would also like to discuss the ending with someone who has read it.

BornToFolk · 19/01/2010 12:09

Ending discussion thread

Really keen to hear what other people think!