Sarah Waters Books
Tipping the Velvet – 1998
Nancy Astley, a young woman from Whitstable, falls for a male impersonator, Kitty Butler, and follows her to London’s music halls. Their passionate romance unravels as Nancy navigates a vibrant, gritty Victorian underworld, discovering her own identity and resilience through heartbreak, performance, and unexpected love in a transformative journey.
Affinity – 1999
Margaret Prior, a troubled spinster, visits Millbank Prison as a "Lady Visitor" and meets Selina Dawes, a spiritualist inmate. Drawn into Selina’s mystical world, Margaret’s obsession blurs reality and deception. A tale of longing, betrayal, and supernatural intrigue unfolds, revealing the dark undercurrents of Victorian society and human desire.
Fingersmith – 2002
Sue Trinder, raised by thieves in Victorian London, is drawn into a con to defraud heiress Maud Lilly. As their intricate plot unfolds, betrayals and secrets unravel, twisting their fates. A gripping tale of deception, love, and identity, this novel explores loyalty and survival in a treacherous world.
The Night Watch – 2006
Set in 1940s London, this novel traces the lives of four characters—Kay, Helen, Viv, and Duncan—during and after World War II. Moving backward in time, it reveals their interconnected struggles, loves, and secrets amidst wartime chaos, exploring themes of loss, resilience, and the enduring impact of human connections.
The Little Stranger – 2009
Dr. Faraday, a country physician, becomes entangled with the Ayres family at their decaying Hundreds Hall. Strange occurrences hint at a malevolent presence as the family unravels. A haunting exploration of class, ambition, and the supernatural, this gothic tale questions whether the house itself is a destructive force.
The Paying Guests – 2014
In 1920s London, widowed Mrs. Wray and her daughter Frances take in lodgers, Lilian and Leonard Barber. Tensions rise as Frances and Lilian’s forbidden romance sparks a dangerous chain of events. This gripping story of passion, betrayal, and moral dilemmas unfolds against a backdrop of societal change and secrets.