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A review by madelaide
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
3.0
I decided to read this book when I learned that it had been the inspiration for one of my favorite movies, The Handmaiden.
Honestly, I didn't enjoy this book nearly as much as I enjoy the film, but the story was just as intriguing. However, it was written almost comically over-detailed. It doubles back more than once to retell parts of the story from a different point of view, which I found incredibly unnecessary. The biggest plot twist was worded so strangely that I had to draw a diagram to understand which characters were being referred to, which really took away from its shock value. The parts of the story that could have made it more shocking or given it more depth were only barely described, while 'filler' parts of the story went on for upwards of 50 pages. The ending was equally as anticlimactic. The story itself is unlike anything you'll ever read, but the writing style took so much away from it I found it hard to enjoy it for what it was. It felt overwhelmingly empty for such a well thought out and compelling plot.
I really enjoyed how Waters portrayed Sue and Maud's relationship, but it too felt empty and unfinished. For what happened to both of them, you would think there would be more emotion, whether it be positive or negative.
If you enjoyed the story, but not the way it was written, I would highly recommend watching The Handmaiden. It admittedly may have skewed my opinion of the book because of how well the story was told in the film. Overall, I was slightly disappointed in Fingersmith, but as always, grateful for the representation that Waters includes in her stories.
Honestly, I didn't enjoy this book nearly as much as I enjoy the film, but the story was just as intriguing. However, it was written almost comically over-detailed. It doubles back more than once to retell parts of the story from a different point of view, which I found incredibly unnecessary. The biggest plot twist was worded so strangely that I had to draw a diagram to understand which characters were being referred to, which really took away from its shock value. The parts of the story that could have made it more shocking or given it more depth were only barely described, while 'filler' parts of the story went on for upwards of 50 pages. The ending was equally as anticlimactic. The story itself is unlike anything you'll ever read, but the writing style took so much away from it I found it hard to enjoy it for what it was. It felt overwhelmingly empty for such a well thought out and compelling plot.
I really enjoyed how Waters portrayed Sue and Maud's relationship, but it too felt empty and unfinished. For what happened to both of them, you would think there would be more emotion, whether it be positive or negative.
If you enjoyed the story, but not the way it was written, I would highly recommend watching The Handmaiden. It admittedly may have skewed my opinion of the book because of how well the story was told in the film. Overall, I was slightly disappointed in Fingersmith, but as always, grateful for the representation that Waters includes in her stories.