Reviews

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

pearywinkle's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

4.5

kdcourt's review against another edition

5.0

This was entertaining all the way through, quite harrowing in places but kept my interest and had lots of twists and turns.
The period it is set in is harsh and unforgiving and people seem to be less sentimental, it is a thought provoking book both about the era it is set in and the very different attitudes to life.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical novels.

crabhole's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• 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

4.5

Biased review here as a Handmaiden lover, however… spectacular. 
Twisty, turny and just all round a gorge book. 
My heart was broken, put back together, broken AND PUT BACK TOGETHER.
Probably the fastest I’ve read a thick book ever, almost definitely aided by the fact that the movie was just playing in my head.
If you’re wondering if it’s worth reading if you’ve already seen the movie… girlie just do it, trust me.
My girls.
My Susan.
My Sookee. 

babysmom's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

4.5

spacem0nkeyyy's review

challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

charreadsalot's review against another edition

4.0

Great book but it was looooooong I started getting bored at Mauds POV part of the book because we had already seen the work Sue had to do and stuff and it was a bit repetitive but idk, their love was cute and the two of hearts card had me gagged so I can’t complain

bookshelvesandtealeaves's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was such a great read full of twists I did not see coming. Sapphic Dickens (but better written) is how I would describe this book.

The plot was engaging throughout but some of the dialogue seemed a bit over the top at times. Characters didn’t really talk all that much compared to the flowery, descriptive prose, but when they did it felt like they often said more than they needed to.

I found both Sue and Maud to be such interesting main characters. I loved that they both shared so many similarities despite how wildly different their lives and upbringings had been. I loved the push and pull between them, the lies and the con vs the affection they so clearly felt for one another. 

What both these girls go through is awful and that ending left me feeling oddly hopeful. I’d love a sequel that’s just the two of them living their best gay lives in that old house, writing erotic fiction til the day they die.

maddireads13's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Murder, and Toxic friendship

emmadnl's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mar_the_star's review against another edition

emotional mysterious

5.0