Reviews

Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters

sersi's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Lesbophobia

Moderate: Domestic abuse

charlottemarston's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

Such an iconic queer book there is so much change from the start and such a immersive story.

ryner's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

3.0

Despite living, eating and breathing oysters while helping with her family's business in Whitstable, Nancy revels in taking the train with her sister in their precious spare time to Canterbury, to experience live music and comedy performances. On one such occasion she becomes absolutely entranced by a young woman performing as a man, and returns to see Kitty Butler again and again, until Kitty one night takes notice of her and invites Nancy to become her dresser.

This entire book was a complete surprise to me, as I had selected it based off a suggestion for the Read Harder category "a book about drag or queer artistry" and hadn't so much as read the back cover. It also ticked the box for historical fiction, which is always welcome. It reads a bit as though it might be based on a real historical figure, bit I haven't seen any evidence that this was the case. It was a dramatic, enlightening peek into a 19th-century subculture I'd never previously read anything about.

maxgene's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

4.0

kaylovestoread's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

ewc's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective slow-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

4.25

deah's review against another edition

5.0

"I felt suffocated all at once by my own story, and by the meanings she was teasing out of it" screaming crying throwing up

maruehn's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.75

anto_kon's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

dars's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-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? Yes

4.25