guessed that Maud was really the daughter of Mrs.suckesby as soon as she was brought to the bouroughs but the twist with SUE put in asylum was v unexpected though when i read that i remembered Vicky telling me about that bit when it was on telly....overall a very enjoyable read

I enjoyed the book, but I didn't think it was that brilliant. I will be giving it 3 stars. I really enjoyed the first part (though I felt it was a bit drawn out), but I couldn't stand part 2! I mean every little plot detail repeated from a different point of view OMG how boring! I realise that it was to get to know the character of Maud, but it was just too repetitive - I nearly gave up during that part. Once it moved onto part three I kinda got into it again, and was dying to find out the outcome as the two strands of the story came crashing together. Like I say it was ok, but I don't think I will be rushing out to buy any more of her work!

I did wonder if Maud & Gentleman were plotting against Sue too. I didn't trust Gentleman and wondered what he and Maud talked about when they were chaperoned by Sue. Had a feeling they would use Sue. I loved the twist. Had a feeling something would happen, and was nicely surprised. I really wanted to know what happened next, so loved Part 2 and Maud's version of events. I kept flicking back to compare Sue's account to Maud's. I used 2 bookmarks. Thought this was fascinating and well done by Sarah Waters. I enjoyed comparing their thoughts, feelings, first impressions - and what they thought the other was thinking. Part 2, far from being boring, totally transformed what I thought of the story; totally turned it upside down & definitely picked up the pace.

Mrs Sucksby - what a character. I know she was always yearning for her biological daughter, Maud, but do you think she had true feelings for Sue? I liked how she took the blame for Gentleman's murder. It's not clear, but I got the impression Maud stabbed him. Mrs S could have said Sue killed him and got the others to go along. That she didn't made me think she looked out for Sue (not just to profit from her). What does everyone else think? Am I barking up the wrong tree?

I thought the novel was a gripping tale, and well written, but it's not a great literary novel. Can't quite put my finger on why.

The twist was good, but don't know if I'd say it was one of the best twists in English Literature. I read this in a magazine, so maybe looking out for it kinda killed it for me. If I hadn't have read about it, the twist may have surprised me more. But then reading about it made me want to read the book in the first place!!

I'm waffling now, so will leave it there

It took ages for me to get into this book and then ages for me to get through it. I knew what was going to happen and the only bit I wasn't expecting was that Maud was Mrs Sucksby's daughter.

I disliked every single character in this book except Sue. Even Maud, who had such a terrible time growing up, I felt little sympathy for.

There was just far to much weeping and too many hearts flying open and shut and whatnot

As for the lesbianism - I agree with the comments above that say it was hardly a central theme, just an added facet of the story. I don't however think the book would have suffered without it.

If Maud was brought up in a Madhouse, how can she have a posh accent of a lady? Also, If Maud is Mrs Suckbys real daughter and Sue is Miss Lillys real daughter, where or who is Mrs Trinders baby?