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zoiejanelle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
i definitely would have enjoyed this more if i read a physical copy, but the audiobook was also very good!
this is a fantastic lesbian classic that really appealed to my historical fiction fan brain. the details of the culture/customs era and setting were really fun and added some levity to the darker plots.
Sue’s perspective in parts one and the end of part three were hilarious, but the scenes at the asylum were honestly nauseating at times. Maud’s point of view was less funny, more thoughtful and romantic. I loved that she had feelings for Sue before Sue realized her own feelings.
several of the plot twists were brutal, though i admit i spoiled many of them through impatient googling. the pacing was about right, and the romantic element kept me on my toes the entire time. although i really liked living in each character’s head, some parts did drag on and on, which is why this only gets a 4/5 from me.
overall, i enjoyed the complexity of how each woman felt about themselves and each other, their clear motivations, their unique histories, and their satisfying, poetic ending.
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual content, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gaslighting, Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Alcohol, Homophobia, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Ableism, Child death, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, and Grief
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Fingersmith was a fabulously engrossing read with wonderful storytelling. It’s got something for many different types of reader.
If you like Victorian literature, know that this is very Dickensian in terms of setting, characters and plot set-up. The two main characters are Sue, a poor orphan who was raised by petty criminals, including a baby farmer, and Maud, who was raised by her wealthy uncle and trained to assist him with his business - cataloguing and trading books. However, Waters plays with these tropes and takes them in directions Victorian authors did not. For instance, the books Maud’s uncle worked with were erotic and pornographic. Fingersmith is also slightly Dickensian in terms of style. If a slow story with plenty of detail isn’t your thing you might want to pass on this.
If you are a Shakespeare fan know that this plot features confused, switched, and mistaken identities that would do the Bard proud.
If you enjoy crime stories, mysteries and thrillers know that this plot revolves around a planned con whereby a wealthy woman will be relieved of her fortune. There are many twists and turns, crosses and double-crosses along the way. This story may be long but I was never bored.
For those who enjoy well-written and structured stories Fingersmith delivers. The story has three main parts and the point of view switches from Susan to Maud and back to Susan again. The first switch coincided with a major twist, which totally took me by surprise. I enjoyed the two different voices and sometimes seeing the same scene from more than one perspective. Additionally it cleverly balances the seemingly opposite notions of love and betrayal and explores this dynamic through multiple lenses.
For romance fans, especially those who enjoy LGBTIQA+ storylines, this plot featured a subtle, sexy and surprising sapphic love story.
Lovers of historical fiction will likely appreciate the parts of the plot centred on the horrors of being institutionalised against your will and without cause, and of the horrors that passed for mental health treatment in such instititions in Victorian times.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Violence
garibae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Confinement, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Murder
becksusername's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When the perspective first changed to Maud's I got bored for a while, but other than that, this book was so good!
Graphic: Sexual assault, Lesbophobia, Death of parent, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Classism, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
septemberdark's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Ableism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Lesbophobia, and Sexual content
imaginethehours's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Murder, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Death, and Blood
Minor: Lesbophobia and Sexual assault
josie9's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Torture, Sexual content, and Child abuse
Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Death, Body shaming, Child death, and Alcohol
occhilism's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Sexual assault
Minor: Sexual assault
cummyworms's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
On further analysis, I enjoy the ending more. Maude’s writing is meant to signify her carving a space out for the portrayal of love like her and Sue’s, instead of what she was fed by her uncle.
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Child abuse, Lesbophobia, Sexual content, and Torture
emfass's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Death, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Bullying, Child abuse, Sexism, Violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Domestic abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Sexual content, Mental illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Child death, and Trafficking
Minor: Religious bigotry