When I realized that my favorite challenge of the year, my favorite reading challenge EVER was nigh upon us, I also realized I wanted Estella to host a readalong. I checked with Carl, who was graciously onboard, then I consulted with Andi. We knew one thing for certain. We needed a break from classics. As I hemmed and hawed, Andi emailed me one sentence. “What about The Little Stranger?”
And it was on like Donkey Kong.
About the Book:
In a dusty post-war summer in rural Warwickshire, a doctor is called to a patient at Hundreds Hall. Home to the Ayres family for over two centuries, the Georgian house, once grand and handsome, is now in decline, its masonry crumbling, its gardens choked with weeds, the clock in its stable yard permanently fixed at twenty to nine. Its owners – mother, son and daughter – are struggling to keep pace with a changing society, as well as with conflicts of their own.
But are the Ayreses haunted by something more sinister than a dying way of life? Little does Dr Faraday know how closely, and how terrifyingly, their story is about to become entwined with his.
Prepare yourself. From this wonderful writer who continues to astonish us, now comes a chilling ghost story.
We’ve decided to keep this loosey-goosey. It starts September 1st, just as RIP starts. We’ll meet up here, to discuss around the halfway point, on September 10th, and end on the 17th. The book may look long, but I promise, it’s a quick read if you can get into it. And honestly, I don’t see how you can’t get into it. The audiobook is read by Simon Vance. I’ve already listened to some of it and can tell, it’s going to be a stellar listen. So download it, plug in, crack open that spine and join us starting September 1st.
Let us know if you’ll be joining us!
Yes! I have had this book on my shelf for nearly a year but this post makes me want to start reading it now! I hope my enthusiasm doesn’t wane before the 1st September!
Katie
Katie, we hope your enthusiasm doesn’t wane either! I read it year before last and LOVED it. I’m very much looking forward to a re-read. Thinking I might have to spring for it on audio this time.
Andi
I’m in, I’ve been meaning to read this for a while now and this sounds like the perfect prompting
Glad to have you, Fence!!! This should be a really fun readalong!
Andi
Thank you for hosting this!
Our pleasure, Stephanie! Glad you’re in.
Andi
I’ve been wanting to read this one FOREVER…what a perfect excuse! Can’t wait!
Woohoo, Tammy! If you read along with us, I guess I’ll finally have to read George RR Martin, eh? lol
Andi
Good luck to you all! The Little Stranger is such a good, creepy book.
Thanks, Chris! It’s one of the few books I’ve read in a long time that legitimately freaked me out in parts.
Andi
I am sooooo doing this. LOVE RIP challenge each year!
YAY! Can’t wait to hear what you think of it, Patti!
YESYESYES!! I’m so in!! I actually just bought the audiobook of this! So I can listen to it on my way to work!! Excited
WOOHOO! Chris, I’m downloading it for my commute, too. Might freak me out less than reading it again. Seriously scary.
Andi
I’m having trouble believing it’s almost September but the calendar does confirm that fact. Sheesh. I haven’t even thought about what to read for RIP yet but The Little Stranger is an excellent choice. If I can get a copy of the audiobook at my library I’ll be joining you.
Here’s hoping you can get that audiobook, Leslie! I think I’m going to listen to it this go-round, too. It’ll be a re-read for me and I can’t wait!
Andi
I got a copy of the audiobook from the library and I’m starting it tomorrow.
So tempting. I have it on my shelf. I am weak when it comes to readalongs, but I think I’ve just convinced myself to join. I’m in!
Glad you’re going to give it a go, Kristi!
Andi
Looking forward to this. My first read along.
Welcome aboard, Barbara!!! Readalongs can be SO much fun. I hope you enjoy this one!
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I do like a good, old-fashioned, creepy ghost story!
I just read The Little Stranger over the summer, but I am TOTALLY ready to reread because I really want to have a conversation about this book!
Ok, I’m in. And hopefully with me will come the rest of The Council and MORE hopefully you won’t ask us to leave because of the gifs and the snark!
(But we all love Sarah Waters, so.)
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I’m in! I’m so excited about this read along! I’ve been wanting to read The Little Stranger for ages and this is perfect timing! Can’t wait!
Yay! This will be my third read-along. I had so much fun reading Scott Lynch’s Gentlemen Bastards books with other bloggers that I’ve been on the lookout for another interesting read-along. This looks like the one for me!
It’s been too long since I’ve read a Sarah Waters book. Looking forward to it!
Oh wonderful! This is great for me, because I’ve had The Little Stranger for ages – along with two other Waters’ books that I haven’t read yet. She’s one of those authors I always buy books by, simply because I loved Fingersmith so much, but then I never find the time to read them! It’s good to get a prod.
I wish I had more time for rereads because this is my total favorite Sarah Waters! I’ll be coming around to see what everyone thinks (although I hate when anyone doesn’t love it!). Hopefully most of you enjoy it.
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I’ve actually never heard of this one, but I was thrilled to see that my library has the Audio CDs. I’ve requested them, and I can’t wait to listen along!
Have book. Will read.
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I finally picked it up from the library! Count me in!
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Oh, crap. How did it get to be September already?! I planned to join in on this group read and only just now got the audio from my library. I’m in the middle of another audio (The Passage), so I guess I’ll have to read this one on my own and chat about it later.
Hey, where is our discussion post?
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