A review by bookshelvesandtealeaves
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

dark emotional 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

4.0

This was such a great read full of twists I did not see coming. Sapphic Dickens (but better written) is how I would describe this book.

The plot was engaging throughout but some of the dialogue seemed a bit over the top at times. Characters didn’t really talk all that much compared to the flowery, descriptive prose, but when they did it felt like they often said more than they needed to.

I found both Sue and Maud to be such interesting main characters. I loved that they both shared so many similarities despite how wildly different their lives and upbringings had been. I loved the push and pull between them, the lies and the con vs the affection they so clearly felt for one another. 

What both these girls go through is awful and that ending left me feeling oddly hopeful. I’d love a sequel that’s just the two of them living their best gay lives in that old house, writing erotic fiction til the day they die.