Fingersmith in Mostly Sapphic

Nov 24, 2008 Christy B rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, lgbt, fiction, mystery

An enjoyable book, but far too long. This is a book that could have easily been 400 pages, or even less. Someone needs to tell Ms. Waters that it's quality, not quantity, that makes a good novel.

The twists and turns were gripping enough, but I don't think it had the desired effect seeing as how the story went on and on afterward.

I enjoyed the mental hospital bits; it was interesting seeing inside one of those in the early 1860s.

Waters created a good villain in Richard Rivers. I seem to be intri ...more

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Feb 11, 2009 Cheri rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reread, romance, lgbtq, audio, historical-fiction, mystery-thriller, 2020-wlw-subgenre-challenge, 2020-reads

Loved it. Twice.

1/28/20 - Another listen to the fantastic Juanita McMahon read this great book to me.

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Oct 03, 2010 Darlene rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, lesbian, lgbt, england, romance, historical-fiction

If only I could stay awake after finishing reading a book so as to write the review right then. Now I almost gave the book four stars because the excitement had abated. But I asked myself how was the writing? It was very well done. Such a blessing against all the newer authors' works. Then I asked, How was the plot, did it hold together, make me want more? As if in answer I remembered not being able to stop reading. I thought it about it during my non-reading times. And how about the characters? If only I could stay awake after finishing reading a book so as to write the review right then. Now I almost gave the book four stars because the excitement had abated. But I asked myself how was the writing? It was very well done. Such a blessing against all the newer authors' works. Then I asked, How was the plot, did it hold together, make me want more? As if in answer I remembered not being able to stop reading. I thought it about it during my non-reading times. And how about the characters? Did I care about them? You bet! I even cared about the support teams at home and elsewhere. All were well-developed and fleshed out. And the question I ask that would make a difference in whether a book gets four or five stars: Will I remember it fondly much later. I could answer that with a resounding, YES!

So there you have it a five star book! And that rating works for the hardback that I had to reference to on ocassions and the Kindle version I used the most. I even rate the narrator, Juanita McMahon, as she was able to add to the stories depth and enjoyment, for me. She acted out the characters with such strength that I missed her voice when I read without the Audible version. In fact, because there is something glitchy with the Audible/Kindle sych, where it didn't quite meet up and so I couldn't read in the same place as the narrator, I ended up listening more and crocheted on my WIP only glancing at the hardback from time to time.

For those afraid to read something labeled lesbian or LGBT, this book is mild and the erotic scene plays into the full story. The story is what pulls you, what is going to happen, keeps you reading. It is not erotica for erotica's sake. Not that that is a bad thing in my book. However, when teachers are assigning classics to their classes, Fingersmith should be there right alongside of A Tale of Two Cities or Oliver.

By the way, another thing that brings this book up to its five-star rating is the satisfying ending. And the feeling that I would love to read this again someday, and other works by Sarah Waters. I do have the Fingersmith DVD and can hardly wait to watch it! ...more

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Nov 10, 2014 Alena rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, queer

Oh boy. Why didn't I listen to people and read this way earlier?

Really enjoyed the story, the twists made me dizzy and I had to put it down twice because I couldn't take the suspense and felt like I was crawling out of my skin.

Complex web that needed all these pages to untangle. The end seemed swift, but then, what is there left to say, and maybe it felt slightly unsatisfactory because while the story drew me in from the start I wasn't involved emotionally.

But yeah, starting to think that maybe ...more

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Jan 20, 2008 MEC rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery-suspense-crime, historical-real-or-alt, 2012-read-and-re-read

What can I say that hasn't already been said. A fantastic book. Waters draws you into the story from the first page and it's hard to put it down, with more "wow" moments than I can count. Waters weaves a complex plot, with deception, misdirection and out-and-out villainy - with compelling characters you just can't help but root for (or curse). ...more

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