“The Little Stranger” is a gothic novel written by Sarah Waters, published in 2009. The book is set in a dilapidated mansion in Warwickshire, England in the 1940s. The story follows Dr. Faraday, a country physician, who is called to the mansion to treat a patient. However, he soon realizes that there is something strange going on in the house.
Waters’ writing style and attention to detail create a haunting atmosphere that draws readers into the story. The novel’s exploration of class, post-war society, and the decline of the British aristocracy adds depth to the plot. “The Little Stranger” has been praised for its gripping narrative and complex characters, and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2009. The book has also been adapted into a film, released in 2018, which received positive reviews from critics.
Author Profile: Sarah Waters
Sarah Waters is a British novelist who was born in Wales in 1966. She has written six novels, including “The Little Stranger,” which was published in 2009. Waters is known for her historical fiction, which often explores themes of gender and sexuality.
Waters began her writing career while working on her Ph.D. in English literature at Queen Mary, University of London. Her first novel, “Tipping the Velvet,” was published in 1998 and immediately became a bestseller. Since then, she has won numerous awards for her work, including the Somerset Maugham Award and the Betty Trask Award.
Waters is often compared to other British writers such as Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins because of her focus on the Victorian era and her use of intricate plots and complex characters. However, her writing also explores contemporary issues such as feminism and LGBTQ rights.
In addition to her writing, Waters is also an activist for LGBTQ rights and has been involved in numerous campaigns to promote equality. She has been named one of the “100 most powerful LGBT people in Britain” by The Independent and was awarded an OBE in 2019 for her services to literature.
Plot Overview
“The Little Stranger” is a gothic ghost story by Sarah Waters that takes place in post-World War II England. The novel follows Dr. Faraday, a country physician, as he is called to Hundreds Hall, a once-grand manor home that has fallen into disrepair. Faraday had visited Hundreds as a child for Empire Day, where he was presented with a medal, and the house has held a powerful allure over him ever since.
Upon his arrival, Faraday meets the Ayres family, who are the current occupants of Hundreds Hall. The family consists of Mrs. Ayres, her son Roderick, and her daughter Caroline. Roderick is a war veteran who was injured during the war, and Caroline is a young woman who is struggling to find her place in the world.
As Faraday begins to treat Roderick for his injuries, strange things begin to happen in the house. Mysterious knocking sounds, unexplained fires, and ghostly apparitions plague the Ayres family, and Faraday becomes increasingly drawn into their world. He becomes particularly close to Caroline, and the two begin a tentative romance.
As the supernatural occurrences in the house become more frequent and more violent, the Ayres family begins to unravel. Roderick becomes increasingly unstable, and Mrs. Ayres becomes convinced that the ghost of her deceased daughter is haunting the house. Faraday, meanwhile, becomes obsessed with the idea of saving Hundreds Hall and the Ayres family from their fate.
Characters
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters features a cast of complex and intriguing characters that add depth and nuance to the story.
Dr. Faraday is the protagonist of the novel. He is a country physician who has built a life of quiet respectability but is haunted by his past and his social standing. As the story unfolds, Dr. Faraday becomes increasingly obsessed with the Ayres family and their decaying estate, Hundreds Hall.
Mrs. Ayres is the matriarch of the Ayres family. She is a proud and fiercely protective mother who is struggling to come to terms with the decline of her family’s fortunes. Mrs. Ayres is haunted by the memory of her late daughter, Susan, and is convinced that her ghost is responsible for the strange and unsettling events that are taking place in Hundreds Hall.
Caroline Ayres is Mrs. Ayres’ daughter and the last surviving member of the Ayres family. She is intelligent, independent, and fiercely loyal to her family. Caroline is also deeply skeptical of the supernatural and refuses to believe that there is anything paranormal happening at Hundreds Hall.
Rounding out the cast of characters are the servants at Hundreds Hall, including Mrs. Bazeley, a kind and caring woman who does her best to tend to the Ayres family, and Betty, a young maid who becomes increasingly disturbed by the strange occurrences at the estate.
Themes and Motifs
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters is a novel that explores various themes and motifs that are prevalent throughout the story. One of the primary themes of the novel is the clash between science and the supernatural. The protagonist, Dr. Faraday, is a man of science who relies on empirical evidence to reach medical conclusions. However, when he meets the Ayers family and becomes a mainstay at their manor home, Hundreds Hall, his experiences force him to confront the possibility of supernatural occurrences.
Another significant theme in the novel is the decline of the aristocracy in post-war Britain. The Ayers family is a representation of the once-great aristocracy that is now struggling to maintain their status and wealth. The novel depicts the changing social and economic landscape of Britain in the aftermath of World War II.
The motif of decay and deterioration is also prevalent throughout the novel. The once-grand Hundreds Hall is now in a state of disrepair, reflecting the decline of the Ayers family and the aristocracy as a whole. The decay of the physical surroundings mirrors the decay of the family’s social and economic status.
Setting: Post-War England
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters is set in post-war England, specifically in rural Warwickshire in 1947. The author paints a vivid picture of the time, capturing the atmosphere of postwar anxiety. Social reform is being implemented, and the country is in a state of flux. The characters in the novel are all affected by the changes happening around them.
The story takes place in Hundreds Hall, a Georgian house that has been home to the Ayres family for over two centuries. Once grand and handsome, the house is now in a state of disrepair, mirroring the decline of the family fortunes. The setting of the novel is crucial to the story, as the house itself seems to be haunted by the past.
The author’s attention to detail is evident in her descriptions of the house and its surroundings. The reader can almost feel the heat of the summer afternoon, smell the musty air of the old house, and hear the creaking of the floorboards. The setting is so well-drawn that it becomes a character in its own right, adding depth and complexity to the story.
Narrative Style and Structure
The Little Stranger is a novel that is narrated by Dr. Faraday, who is also one of the main characters. The narrative style is a first-person point of view, which allows the reader to experience the story through the eyes of Dr. Faraday. The narrative structure is linear, and the story progresses chronologically from the beginning to the end.
The author, Sarah Waters, uses a descriptive and vivid writing style to create a haunting and eerie atmosphere throughout the novel. The setting of the story is a decaying mansion in rural Warwickshire, and the author’s attention to detail in describing the mansion and its surroundings adds to the overall sense of foreboding.
Waters also employs a slow-burn approach to the plot, building tension and suspense gradually throughout the story. The pacing is deliberate, and the reader is kept in the dark about the true nature of the haunting until the very end.
Literary Analysis
“The Little Stranger” is a novel that is rich in symbolism and themes. Waters uses the supernatural elements of the story to explore the post-war decline of the British aristocracy and the changing social dynamics of the time.
One of the key themes of the novel is class, and the tensions that exist between the working-class and the aristocracy. This is explored through the character of Dr. Faraday, who is from a working-class background but aspires to be part of the upper class. The decay of the Ayres family estate is also symbolic of the decline of the aristocracy in post-war Britain.
Another theme that runs throughout the novel is the idea of memory and how it can be distorted over time. This is seen in the different perspectives of the characters, and how their memories of events differ. The supernatural elements of the story also add to the ambiguity of what is real and what is imagined.
Waters also uses the setting of Hundreds Hall to create a sense of unease and tension throughout the novel. The dilapidated estate is described in great detail, and the sense of decay and neglect is palpable. This adds to the overall sense of foreboding and contributes to the gothic atmosphere of the story.
Historical Context
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters takes place in England during the 1940s, in the years following World War II. The late 1940s were a time of great social and political change in England. The country was recovering from the war, and the government was implementing policies to rebuild the country’s infrastructure and economy. During this time, the National Health Service was established, and the Labour Party was in power.
The novel was published in 2009, during a time of great economic peril in England. The UK officially entered a recession on January 23rd of that year. Many businesses closed, and there was a high level of unemployment. This context is relevant to the novel’s themes of class, privilege, and economic struggle.
Sarah Waters wrote The Little Stranger in the tradition of the Gothic novel, which starts with Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto. The Gothic novel is characterized by elements of horror, romance, and mystery. The Little Stranger contains all of these elements, as well as a commentary on the decline of the British aristocracy.
Critical Reception
Critics have praised Sarah Waters’ novel, The Little Stranger, for its haunting atmosphere and masterful storytelling. The book was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, one of the most prestigious literary awards, and has been adapted into a film directed by Leonard Abrahamson.
Many reviewers have noted the novel’s gothic elements, which add to its eerie and unsettling tone. The setting of Hundreds Hall, a decaying country estate, is described in vivid detail, creating a sense of dread and unease. The characters, especially the Ayres family, are complex and well-drawn, adding to the novel’s depth and emotional impact.
Some critics have criticized the novel for being slow-paced and overly long, but most agree that Waters’ writing is superb. Her ability to create a sense of foreboding and tension is unmatched, and her attention to historical detail adds to the novel’s authenticity.
Adaptations
“The Little Stranger” has been adapted into a film directed by Lenny Abrahamson, which was released in 2018. The film stars Domhnall Gleeson, Ruth Wilson, and Charlotte Rampling. The adaptation has received mixed reviews, with some critics praising the performances and atmosphere, while others criticized the slow pacing and lack of scares.
Sarah Waters’ work has been adapted before, with “Fingersmith,” “Tipping the Velvet,” and “Affinity” all being adapted for television. “Fingersmith” was also the inspiration behind Park Chan-wook’s film “The Handmaiden,” in which the story was moved from Victorian England to Japanese-occupied Korea.
Reading Guide and Discussion
“The Little Stranger” by Sarah Waters is a novel that leaves readers with much to discuss and ponder. The following guide provides some questions and topics for readers to consider as they delve deeper into the story.
Firstly, readers may want to discuss the themes of class and social hierarchy that are prevalent throughout the novel. The Ayres family, who reside in the grand estate of Hundreds Hall, are of a higher social class than Dr. Faraday, the novel’s protagonist. How does this difference in class affect the interactions between the characters, and what does it say about society at the time?
Another topic for discussion is the supernatural element of the novel. The mysterious occurrences at Hundreds Hall leave readers questioning whether or not there is a supernatural presence at work. What is the significance of these events, and how do they contribute to the overall message of the novel?
Readers may also want to consider the character development of Dr. Faraday. As the novel progresses, he becomes increasingly obsessed with Hundreds Hall and the Ayres family. How does this obsession affect his relationships with those around him, and what does it reveal about his character?