Set in rural Victorian England, “Fingersmith” tells the story of two women – Sue Trinder, a thieves’ apprentice raised amongst criminals in the rookeries of London, and Maud Lilly, an upper-class girl who is being brought up by her aunt after her father’s death. When rumors circulate that Maud’s wealthy uncle has died and left herĀ¬ā a fortune, Sue hatches a plan to gain entrance into Mud House as one of MaudĀ¬ā servants. Once there, she will befriend Maud and help herself to the inheritance. But when Sue arrives at Mud House she quickly discovers that things are not quite as they seem; between bizarre punishments meted out by Mrs. Lilly , secret visits from gentlemen callers (including Aunt Charlotte’s own lover), sudden disappearances late night walks with no explanation given – it becomes clear that all is not what it seems withinMud House walls., Sarah Waters weaves a mesmerizing tale based on Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens about greed,, love,, betrayal,, class distinctions,.and lesbian desire.
For who is this book for ?
This book is perfect for the LGBTQ+ reader who loves a historical tale with a little mystery and romance mixed in.
Pros :
- The writing is beautiful and lyrical
- The plot is twisty and unpredictable
- It’s a lesbian romance
Cons :
- The characters are not well-developed.
- The plot is slow at times.
- The ending could have been better written.
Learn more about the author
Sarah Waters is the author of eight novels, including “Tipping the Velvet” and “Affinity”. She has won multiple awards for her fiction, including the lesbian/gay Lambda Literary Award,the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and twice been shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
Reader Reviews
“Fingersmith”
“Water’s lush, Dickensian language and impeccable period detail make this a richly satisfying read.”
“This book is incredible! It’s a thick read, but it’s so worth it. The characters are brilliantly written and the story sucks you in.”
“Fingersmith”
