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cloulesss's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
sad
slow-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
3.75
zoe2000's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can't believe I've waited so long to read this, man, I want to reread it again immediately to make up for lost time
lizzymartin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
ace_ofhearts's review against another edition
4.25
I truly love Sarah Waters' writing. What a gem it is to find such exquisite prose in a fiercely lesbian novel.
It took me a couple of months to read this, when normally I can fly through a novel very quickly - but not because the story is slow! Rather, it is the kind of story you indulge in and enjoy more slowly I think. Also I kept having the library reclaim the epub file and I had to wait to check it back out again haha.
I honestly think it merits no critiques. It certainly has faults I'm sure, but it is truly such a beautiful and rich story, I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from giving it a try.
How romantic and tragic Nancy's life! How real her character seems and how flawed! She experiences so many different marvelous and terrible things, and she makes me want to live proudly and recklessly as myself.
I came to Tipping the Velvet from reading Fingersmith, and I feel lucky to read Waters's work. Her writing is some of my favorite and somehow timeless... I'd love to see her take on a contemporary story.
Anyways, enough fangirling - read this book!
It took me a couple of months to read this, when normally I can fly through a novel very quickly - but not because the story is slow! Rather, it is the kind of story you indulge in and enjoy more slowly I think. Also I kept having the library reclaim the epub file and I had to wait to check it back out again haha.
I honestly think it merits no critiques. It certainly has faults I'm sure, but it is truly such a beautiful and rich story, I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from giving it a try.
How romantic and tragic Nancy's life! How real her character seems and how flawed! She experiences so many different marvelous and terrible things, and she makes me want to live proudly and recklessly as myself.
I came to Tipping the Velvet from reading Fingersmith, and I feel lucky to read Waters's work. Her writing is some of my favorite and somehow timeless... I'd love to see her take on a contemporary story.
Anyways, enough fangirling - read this book!
gstackz's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Loved Fingersmith so decided to try Waters' first.
It's also very good. The sense of period is excellent, narrative voice sympathetic and story intriguing and titillating.
Nancy Astley is an oyster girl in a seaside town and chances to see a male impersonator, Kitty Butler, at the theatre. Attracted to her, they meet, become friends, and travel together to London where Kitty is to perform. Their friendship becomes a deeper and more intimate affair, and Nan's confidence and own theatrical abilities start to shine through.
It's a story of a hidden and very intriguing world, though with some rather crude language and scenes, it won't be for everyone.
I've now watched most of the BBC adaptation and found it a good one, though brief ad changed in places the spirit of the book shines through and it makes a good companion piece.
This is an excellent book, a very assured debut and a real insight into the world of the Victorian lesbian.
It's also very good. The sense of period is excellent, narrative voice sympathetic and story intriguing and titillating.
Nancy Astley is an oyster girl in a seaside town and chances to see a male impersonator, Kitty Butler, at the theatre. Attracted to her, they meet, become friends, and travel together to London where Kitty is to perform. Their friendship becomes a deeper and more intimate affair, and Nan's confidence and own theatrical abilities start to shine through.
It's a story of a hidden and very intriguing world, though with some rather crude language and scenes, it won't be for everyone.
I've now watched most of the BBC adaptation and found it a good one, though brief ad changed in places the spirit of the book shines through and it makes a good companion piece.
This is an excellent book, a very assured debut and a real insight into the world of the Victorian lesbian.
lurker_stalker's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes I get the urge to revisit Nancy and Florence. Every re-read is the same: I dread the middle portion of the book but enjoy the first part and love the final part enough to keep going. I don't know why I can't just give myself permission to skip to the parts I want, but I can't.
The end makes it all worthwhile.
The end makes it all worthwhile.
lurker_stalker's review against another edition
4.0
Doing a re-listen.
I still very much enjoy this book. Even though Nancy is mostly super selfish and naive through nearly all of it. Florence makes up for it all.
I still very much enjoy this book. Even though Nancy is mostly super selfish and naive through nearly all of it. Florence makes up for it all.
interreads's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-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