BiblioBlog

November 07, 2004
Affinity by Sarah Waters

Affinity by Sarah Waters: a gothic story that’s part supernatural tale and part romance, but always interesting.

In late September of 1874, Margaret Prior becomes a Lady Visitor - a woman who visits the inmates giving them friendship and guidance in hope that when they are released they will better their lives and turn away from crime - to Millbank Prison in London.

The prison is, of course, a dark, sad place with two hundred and seventy women incarcerated (there are also men, but they don’t figure into the story). On her first visit she is captivated by the sight of a young woman holding a violet that she puts to her lips and breathes upon.

She becomes enthralled by this woman, a medium with the beautiful name of Selina Dawes and a face like that of an angel by the painter Crivelli, and an unlikely friendship which soon becomes fraught with much more.

I don’t want to say much more about the plot of the novel since half of its intrigue was in determining what had happened, not only to Selina but also to Miss Prior. Why is she watched so closely by her mother? What is the illness that she speaks of?

I enjoyed reading the book and trying to figure out where the story would go next. It was delightfully entertaining despite the somber tones of the novel. Highly recommended for those that like their stories enigmatic and a bit dark.



Trackbacks on this post: 0




Ping this post

http://www.neuroticfishbowl.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/2198




1 URL Pinged:





Comments

I first heard of Sarah Waters from the BBC film adaption of her book, "Fingersmith". Now I'm in the middle of this book and enjoy reading it.
I'm thinking to get "Affinity" since our library doesn't carry it. The user opinions in Amazon.uk seem quite different. Is it really good? Or, is ita good-reading one but bot like "Fingersmith"?

Posted by: Bottle on June 9, 2005 08:55 PM




Post a comment