Affinity

A dark Victorian tale set in 1870s London, Affinity follows Margaret Prior, an upper-class woman who becomes a "Lady Visitor" at Millbank Prison following her father's death and her own suicide attempt. During her prison visits, she meets Selina Dawes, a young spiritualist medium imprisoned after a séance led to tragedy. The story unfolds through alternating diary entries of Margaret and Selina, revealing their growing connection and the mysterious events surrounding Selina's imprisonment. Margaret finds herself increasingly drawn to the ethereal Selina, whose apparent spiritual gifts and gentle demeanor stand in stark contrast to the grim prison environment. The narrative explores Victorian spiritualism, women's roles in 1870s society, and the power dynamics within England's class system. Through the claustrophobic setting of Millbank Prison and Margaret's restricted home life, Waters creates an atmosphere of mounting tension and psychological complexity. Waters crafts a haunting meditation on desire, belief, and the limitations placed on women in Victorian society, while questioning the nature of truth and perception in a world where appearances often deceive.

Readers describe Affinity as a slow-building Victorian gothic romance with detailed historical atmosphere and psychological complexity. Many note the authentic portrayal of women's lives in Victorian prisons and society. Readers appreciate: - Meticulous research and period details - Building sense of dread and uncertainty - Complex female characters - Subtle handling of LGBTQ themes - Unpredictable plot turns Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in middle sections - Some find the protagonist passive - Prison scenes feel repetitive - Ending disappoints some readers who wanted different resolution "The atmosphere keeps you guessing but the pace tested my patience," notes one Amazon reviewer. "Perfect blend of history and supernatural elements," writes another. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (41,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (1,100+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4/5 (12,000+ ratings) The book rates highest among readers who enjoy slow-burn Victorian gothic and don't mind ambiguous endings.

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🔮 Millbank Prison, where the novel is set, was actually designed in a unique hexagonal pattern inspired by philosopher Jeremy Bentham's panopticon concept – where all cells could theoretically be observed from a central point. 📚 Sarah Waters wrote "Affinity" as her second novel while completing her Ph.D. in English Literature, focusing on historical fiction featuring LGBT characters in the Victorian era. ⚜️ Victorian spiritualism, a key element in the novel, gained massive popularity after Queen Victoria's interest in communicating with her deceased husband Prince Albert, leading to a surge in séances among all social classes. 🏛️ The role of "Lady Visitors" in Victorian prisons was a real historical practice, where upper-class women would visit female inmates to provide moral guidance and rehabilitation – though often with mixed results. 📖 The novel's structure of alternating diary entries was inspired by Wilkie Collins's "The Woman in White," a pioneering work of Victorian sensation fiction that Waters credited as an influence.