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Fingersmith
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Fingersmith: Part 1, Chapters 1-3
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Dianne
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rated it 4 stars
Oct 31, 2017 01:04PM
What do you think so far?
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I find it hard to put down. It has a very Dickensian feel to me, both because of the setting in East London among the thieves, but also because of some of the names - mrs Sucksby, Jack Vroom etc. I like the writing. I could feel the coldness in Gentleman's room on Susan's last evening at home, her hunger on the day she travelled, her nervousness about the whole scheme, etc. I look forward to seeing how it will all play out.
I've only just started it, but am already hooked. Like Nina, I found the early tone very Dickensian, reminiscent of Oliver Twist. However, Waters seems to have gone further with researching and using the slang of the period - Fingersmith, poke etc - which gives it more of that earthy, authentic feel.
Chapter 1 - It really is such a compelling story! I think Waters must have conducted a lot of research because I agree with Pamela, the authenticity of the period and place are incredible. The way in which Susan Trinder was characterized was so important, I thought, and in particular that she was orphaned, that her mother was described as a murderess, that she was raised as a thief with a motley assortment of other children. It seems her fate was inevitable, and while Mrs. Sucksby did seem to love her, she knew what destiny awaited her. Even the end of the first chapter alludes to the "dark and fearful things that were to follow."
Chapter 2 - I was secretly glad that they started calling Gentleman Richard Rivers because he was the least gentlemanly creature ever! What a creepy guy! Sue was on to him from the beginning, describing him as a 'clever devil'. Young Sue may have a cold heart already but she seems traumatized by the enveloping silence when she arrives at Briar. She knows she has to go along with the scheme to make money, but she has lost the family that she did have, the bustling noise of the city, all that she ever knew. I suspect that at this point in the story she would trade the luxury she may find for the familiarity she knew on Lant Street.
Chapter 3 - In this chapter Sue meets Maud, and the two girls seem fascinated with each other. We encounter the creepy Uncle Lilly with his library complete with a brass finger beyond which no one can pass to approach the books. Maud seems to be kept as a porcelain doll under glass, unable to exit the property, unable to be a child. She seems lonely, and afraid, and perhaps that is why Sue and Maud end up sleeping together for comfort? The whole situation seems rather bizarre at this point!
How are people getting on with this book?A couple of initial questions that came to mind from reading the first three chapters
- What do you think of the setting of Briar, and how Waters contrasts it with London?
- I get the feeling there is more to Maud than has come to light yet. She seems uncomfortable and on edge, and her relationship with her uncle is strained - is Gentleman her way out, or does she really like him?
I've moved along a bit further now but the descriptions of Lent Street from the first two chapters have stuck with me. I miss the chaotic house with the crying babies, the back door trades, secret passage to the river, etc... I echo the comments about evocative descriptions. What a wonderful start to the story!Briar is stifling. The descriptions of the grooves in the floor through which they all move about in controlled movements was just perfect. And the library...no one is reading the books? I'd like to see how Uncle Lilly would fare keeping one of us out!
Pamela wrote: "How are people getting on with this book?A couple of initial questions that came to mind from reading the first three chapters
- What do you think of the setting of Briar, and how Waters contr..."
I agree Pamela, Maud is set up from the start as a mysterious character. I wasn't buying that she's head over heels for Gentleman, there is more going on.
I'd be quick to hook up with someone that could offer a way out too. I would feel badly for Maud stepping into their trap, but the foreshadowing (and length of book!) suggest Plan B lies ahead so I'm mostly feeling curious to see where this goes.
Has anyone else read ahead? I feel like I need to discuss the turn of events at the end of part 1!!
Jen wrote: "Has anyone else read ahead? I feel like I need to discuss the turn of events at the end of part 1!!"Jen, I'm currently in Chapter 5, but I've added a new thread for you (and anyone else of course) to add your thoughts, and I'll join you there shortly :)
I just finished a re-read of Wilkie Collins' The Woman in White and there are SO many similarities, I wonder if this is supposed to be a sort of re-telling of the story, but from side of the "bad guy" instead of the "good guy?" It's got its own twist, to be sure, but the rich young niece, the fastidious and quirky uncle, the drawing master coming to fix the drawings with the master of the house, and wooing the young heiress.... too similar to be coincidence, I think. It will be interesting to see how it continues.I also get a bit of a feel of Jane Eyre, in the stiflingly dark, cold house, the odd servants, etc. The gothic Victorian feel is fitting for this colder wintry season, I'm quite enjoying it. :)
