4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Wonderful novel! If you like Dickens and other 19th century literature, then this one is definitely for you. The novel 'is awash with all manner of gloomy Dickensian motifs: pickpockets, orphans, grim prisons, lunatic asylums, "laughing villains," and, of course, stolen fortunes and girls made out to be mad.' This one keeps you guessing and has so many twists that the plot will send you in the opposite direction at the turn of a page. All is certainly NOT what it seems to be! "A stunning story told in lavish language by a very gifted author...... Highly recommended!"
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
The first section of this book had me hooked. The labyrinthine underworld of Victorian London, the strange and intriguing characters and the nefarious plot set in motion are the books strongest points and they're at their best in the opening chapters. But by the end of the first section the emotional angst was getting to be a bit much, and the pornography-by-proxy in the second section seems like a 20th century cop out; seriously, the author had to resort to that in order to convey the heroine's bleak, oppressive life? The love story between the two heroines and their mutual betrayal ought to have been enough to carry the second heroine's pathos. When we get back to moving the plot forward, with one girl locked up in a madhouse and the other a prisoner in the London underworld the book begins to fascinate again. And that fascination lasts through a startling twist and a dramatic & emotional climax. But again, at the very conclusion of the book, the author throws in the porno stuff, which honestly distracts from the mystery, the romance and the drama of what would otherwise be a thrilling story.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
A WONDERFUL dickensian novel with wonderful twists and parallels. Highly recommended!!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
An enjoyable fast-paced read.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Incredible story. Lots of surprising twists. It will definitely keep you interested until the very end. One reviewer said, and I agree with them: "'There are always novels that you envy people for not yet having read, for the pleasure they still have to come. Well, this is one. Long, dark, twisted and satisfying, it's a fabulous piece of writing...an unforgettable experience.'" - Julie Myerson, GUARDIAN
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
First let me say it's difficult to give a detailed review without giving away the story so I will try to be clear and not include spoilers.
I was really looking forward to reading this book. The storyline itself is in 3 sections. The first an account from Sue's POV, the 2nd Maud's and in the third is the conclusion. The story itself held so much promise and I could not put it down for the first section. Once I began the 2nd portion I became more and more frustrated as I went along. The author drones on and on of insignificant events and I found myself screaming at the book. This was a not a good sign. It was also a BAD sign when I started skipping pages to get ahead – again I felt they returned to London for far too long with no meat for us to hold onto.
While I enjoyed the moody atmosphere of Victorian London and the beginning held me captive with a great twist, the rest of the book was so mediocre that I would not to recommend it to close friends/family. All in all I had to force myself to finish it while hoping the author would return to the beautifully composed style and focus she had in the first section. Subsequent chapters were lost on insignificant drivel that held no weight to the plot. When I finally finished I felt cheap and dirty. Not from the pseudo-pornography but more from the author's laziness and lack of vision . Again this book held so much promise but I really wish I had read other more worthy books in my `to be read pile' rather than waste my time on this nonsense.
I'm getting tired of reading books that hold my attention until the end where they ultimately lose their way and the reader and I are left wondering who in the world would rate this 4 or 5 stars? Where are the good quality, CONSISTENT books?!
I was really looking forward to reading this book. The storyline itself is in 3 sections. The first an account from Sue's POV, the 2nd Maud's and in the third is the conclusion. The story itself held so much promise and I could not put it down for the first section. Once I began the 2nd portion I became more and more frustrated as I went along. The author drones on and on of insignificant events and I found myself screaming at the book. This was a not a good sign. It was also a BAD sign when I started skipping pages to get ahead – again I felt they returned to London for far too long with no meat for us to hold onto.
While I enjoyed the moody atmosphere of Victorian London and the beginning held me captive with a great twist, the rest of the book was so mediocre that I would not to recommend it to close friends/family. All in all I had to force myself to finish it while hoping the author would return to the beautifully composed style and focus she had in the first section. Subsequent chapters were lost on insignificant drivel that held no weight to the plot. When I finally finished I felt cheap and dirty. Not from the pseudo-pornography but more from the author's laziness and lack of vision . Again this book held so much promise but I really wish I had read other more worthy books in my `to be read pile' rather than waste my time on this nonsense.
I'm getting tired of reading books that hold my attention until the end where they ultimately lose their way and the reader and I are left wondering who in the world would rate this 4 or 5 stars? Where are the good quality, CONSISTENT books?!
Excellent book on how the other half survivies in London. A must read book.
About an orphan raised by theives. Story has mystery to it. Good but not what I expected.
Interesting and different!
If you read a lot of book blogs, I'm sure you've come across a few reviews of Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. And I bet they all have one thing in common: the reviewer laments the fact that they can't really tell you any more than the bare bones of the plot because then it would spoil the book for you. Then they go on to praise the book and tell you "Just read it. Trust me. It is that good."
So who am I to attempt to do the impossible? You truly cannot write too much about Fingersmith without spoiling everything that makes Fingersmith such a dizzying, delightful read. I saw a comment by Nymeth from Things Means A Lot (who wrote one of the best reviews of this book I've come across) on another blogger's review of Fingersmith that said:
The first rule of Fingersmith is that you don't talk about Fingersmith.
Of course, this is a reference to Fight Club (of which I've only seen the movie and not read the book), but, when I thought about it, there are definite parallels between Fight Club and Fingersmith (aside from the need to be close-mouthed about plot points). And so I felt I must respect the code and not talk too much about this book. But here is what I can tell you.
* Reading this book is like looking into a kaleidoscope. You see things fitting together in an intricate pattern but then you turn it and all the pieces align in a new pattern. And then you turn it again ...
* Reading this book is like boarding those Wild Mouse rides you see at amusement parks where you get whipped around on these crazy sharp turns that make your head spin.
* Reading this book is like watching Mission Impossible where the ... WAIT ... I can't continue with that one. It might give too much away.
Let's just say that if Fingersmith was a food, it would be a pretzel. (Because of the twists). I think the true brilliance and fun of Fingersmith is the plot twists that leave you feeling dizzy, invigorated, duped, nodding, shaking, and wanting to leap ahead to find out where Waters is going to take you next. (But don't think the plot twists are all the book has going for it. It is also amazingly well-written; provides a brilliant sense of atmosphere; and creates memorable, indelible characters that will stay with you.)
So, what else can I tell you?
* The book is set in Victorian England. Now usually this is a turn-off for me. I associate "Victorian" with "dead boring." (Unfairly, I suppose, as I haven't read all that much of it.) I always think books set in the Victorian era will focus too much on virtue and being good and social niceties and the big scandal would be if someone used the wrong spoon to stir their tea. (I'm totally speaking out of my ass here, by the way. I don't know ANYTHING about Victorian novels ... just a vague sense of what I think Victorian novels are or would be like. I'm sure many of you will try to convert me now.) So, if you have an unfair prejudice against books from the Victorian era like I did, discard them. This book is ANYTHING but boring and stuffy.
* Fingersmith is a term that means "petty thief," which is how one of the main characters, Sue Trinder, earns her living in London. Fingersmith might also refer to someone who has mastered a skill involving the use of his or her fingers. It could also have another connotation that makes more sense after you read the book but I'm not going to tell you about it. OK ... I will ... let's just say the book has been called "lesbian Victoriana." So now you figure it out yourself. (And that is your only "warning" that this book deals with the Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name.)
* The book is 582 pages but once you hit the end of the first part, you will want to read the book at every available opportunity so make sure you have the time available. Once you board the crazy ride that is Fingersmith, you won't want to get off!
* You will never look at a pair of white gloves in quite the same way.
Oh ... enough already. Just read it!!! Trust me!!!! You'll love it!! (Unless you really don't care for suspenseful, twist-filled, well-written, unforgettable, kick-ass, Gothic, big themed, psychologically thrilling, heart-in-your-mouth historical fiction. If that isn't your type of book, then by all means skip it.)
I hereby award Fingersmith 5 stars and pretty much guarantee it is going to be one of my Top 10 reads of the year.
So who am I to attempt to do the impossible? You truly cannot write too much about Fingersmith without spoiling everything that makes Fingersmith such a dizzying, delightful read. I saw a comment by Nymeth from Things Means A Lot (who wrote one of the best reviews of this book I've come across) on another blogger's review of Fingersmith that said:
The first rule of Fingersmith is that you don't talk about Fingersmith.
Of course, this is a reference to Fight Club (of which I've only seen the movie and not read the book), but, when I thought about it, there are definite parallels between Fight Club and Fingersmith (aside from the need to be close-mouthed about plot points). And so I felt I must respect the code and not talk too much about this book. But here is what I can tell you.
* Reading this book is like looking into a kaleidoscope. You see things fitting together in an intricate pattern but then you turn it and all the pieces align in a new pattern. And then you turn it again ...
* Reading this book is like boarding those Wild Mouse rides you see at amusement parks where you get whipped around on these crazy sharp turns that make your head spin.
* Reading this book is like watching Mission Impossible where the ... WAIT ... I can't continue with that one. It might give too much away.
Let's just say that if Fingersmith was a food, it would be a pretzel. (Because of the twists). I think the true brilliance and fun of Fingersmith is the plot twists that leave you feeling dizzy, invigorated, duped, nodding, shaking, and wanting to leap ahead to find out where Waters is going to take you next. (But don't think the plot twists are all the book has going for it. It is also amazingly well-written; provides a brilliant sense of atmosphere; and creates memorable, indelible characters that will stay with you.)
So, what else can I tell you?
* The book is set in Victorian England. Now usually this is a turn-off for me. I associate "Victorian" with "dead boring." (Unfairly, I suppose, as I haven't read all that much of it.) I always think books set in the Victorian era will focus too much on virtue and being good and social niceties and the big scandal would be if someone used the wrong spoon to stir their tea. (I'm totally speaking out of my ass here, by the way. I don't know ANYTHING about Victorian novels ... just a vague sense of what I think Victorian novels are or would be like. I'm sure many of you will try to convert me now.) So, if you have an unfair prejudice against books from the Victorian era like I did, discard them. This book is ANYTHING but boring and stuffy.
* Fingersmith is a term that means "petty thief," which is how one of the main characters, Sue Trinder, earns her living in London. Fingersmith might also refer to someone who has mastered a skill involving the use of his or her fingers. It could also have another connotation that makes more sense after you read the book but I'm not going to tell you about it. OK ... I will ... let's just say the book has been called "lesbian Victoriana." So now you figure it out yourself. (And that is your only "warning" that this book deals with the Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name.)
* The book is 582 pages but once you hit the end of the first part, you will want to read the book at every available opportunity so make sure you have the time available. Once you board the crazy ride that is Fingersmith, you won't want to get off!
* You will never look at a pair of white gloves in quite the same way.
Oh ... enough already. Just read it!!! Trust me!!!! You'll love it!! (Unless you really don't care for suspenseful, twist-filled, well-written, unforgettable, kick-ass, Gothic, big themed, psychologically thrilling, heart-in-your-mouth historical fiction. If that isn't your type of book, then by all means skip it.)
I hereby award Fingersmith 5 stars and pretty much guarantee it is going to be one of my Top 10 reads of the year.
I heard about Sarah Waters many many years ago, but I just didnt think Id like her. Id picked up Tipping the Velvet and put it down countless times. Im so used to reading light chick books. Then I got this and started it. After it sitting on my shelf for I dont know how long. And I couldnt put it down. its a beautifully tragic story with so many twists and turns. I expected it to be a bit more lesbionic, but it was definitely not disappointing. I also felt like I could relate to the love story. As soon as I finished it I went out and got Nightwatch.
If you like the gothic atmosphere and gasp-inducing plot of Victorian classics like Jane Eyre, then FINGERSMITH is right up your alley. FINGERSMITH is a perfect combination of the Victorian gothic setting and the more contemporary delight of plot twists so unexpected you’ll scream in shock. Sarah Waters’ writing style will appeal to fans of the classics, yet it will not put off readers of more recent fiction. The plot may be ingenious, but it is truly the characters who provide the strength of the novel. Sue and Maud are morally complex girls who you’ll want to cheer for despite the terrible plot they’re both involved in. At times I found the pacing a little slow for my taste, especially when we get a recounting of events from Maud’s point of view, but overall this is an enjoyable novel that you will want to talk about long after you have read it.
Great read~