Reviews

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

fran2567's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-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

5.0

Amazingly written, sometimes a bit dark, but worth to keep reading for the incredible plot. Great plottwist and development of women characters. Shows women in the complexity of who they, plays with the ‘saint’ or ‘harlot’ stereotype that tents to be put on women.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent

Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Pregnancy, Outing, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child death, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide, Blood, Abortion, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Lesbophobia

If you have trauma of forced institutionalisation or sexual abuse by a family member, then I would not recommend this book. It does have a happy ending and the main characters reclaim their trauma.

chane11e's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• 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

3.0

thegreatmadmad's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

shandraaa's review against another edition

4.0

3.5*

bo_ran's review against another edition

3.0

I only read it after watching the korean movie adaptation "The Handmaiden" (아가씨) which has quickly rose as one of my favourite movies ever so I could only be disappointed by the book.

It still works, the overall narrative is good and the characters remains well constructed but I didn't felt the same raw emotions that the movie carried. It might comes from the pace of the book, too slow to convey these key moments with strength and too spaced to create a tense atmosphere.

I would still recommend it, but only if you're deeply interested by the period and setting.

dlauabby's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

larry_yonce's review

4.0

Overlong but good
In 1862 London an elaborate confidence game commences with far-reaching consequences and several somewhat shocking reveals and twists. Good sense of place and time with strong writing and fleshed out characters.

lilacrowds's review against another edition

5.0

Just gorgeous. I want to cry. Beautiful, twisting and turning, a stunning piece of literature. I am in love with this. Undoubtedly her best.

harrysmallwood's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.75

Definitely one of those books where you should avoid knowing too much, just dive in

pinkishpiendel's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5