Reviews

Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters

matildasuu's review against another edition

adventurous informative lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

inhale_exhale_read's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

3.75

This is the story of a young woman in 19th century England who falls in love with a drag king performer at the local theater and runs away with her. She has several romantic relationships over the next several years and experiences the ups and downs of life, which helps her grow into her own person and find what is truly important. This is a very character-driven novel, with very well developed characters, and just enough plot to keep it moving forward. I tend to read more plot-driven novels, but this story held my interest and I enjoyed listening to the audiobook for fairly long stretches every day. This is my second Sarah Waters novel - I've read The Little Stranger, which I loved, and I look forward to reading Fingersmith next.

carmony's review against another edition

sad slow-paced

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

3.0

maliahinz's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective 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

4.75

kaylia_marie_m's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

k8ofhearts's review against another edition

5.0

historical lesbians?? what could be better?

beatricem5's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

5.0

lesbiangela99's review against another edition

5.0

women

madelaide's review against another edition

5.0

This was one of the most unique books I've ever read. In all of the lesbian fiction I have consumed, this book rises well above the rest thanks to its authenticity and inclusion of underrepresented experiences. Nan is a treasure, an authentic and genuine representation of what lesbian life truly entails, from self-discovery to love and everything in between. Kitty is real, a poster child for the ways hatred, homophobia, and heteronormativity can only cause destruction, including (and most often) the destruction of oneself. Their relationship and dynamic perfectly illustrate the struggle to choose between safety and love, and how love often cannot win when we are not safe. I felt for both of them, and struggle to think of what I would have done had I been in their shoes.

This real, complex, beautifully written portrayal of living as a lesbian in Victorian Era England is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. Never have I come across a book as real as this one. Everything about the lesbian experience, from unique relationships with gender to compulsory heterosexuality was included with such skillful intent. This is the lesbian literature we need more of.

jkrahtjen's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

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

2.5