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thelilfawn's review
5.0
I read this book in Côte d’Ivoire. The writing and characters were so strong that they succeeded in taking me out of the suffocating warmth of Abidjan’s streets. The story propelled me right into the foggy streets of London, at the heels of the protagonist. I’ll never forget this character, she became a dear friend I think about in times of sorrow and boredom.
alicemc25's review
3.0
I read this as part of a genre challenge (gay/lesbian fiction). I've read a couple of Waters' books already so it was an easy choice; I was expecting a fun, slightly raunchy read.
It was pretty much as I expected. Only a bit more raunchy (hello massive Victorian leather strap-on), but maybe not as fun.
There were some darker hints of obsession / Victorian madness, but not enough to be really unsettling (unlike 'Fingersmith'). I didn't think the plot was that clever; it was quite a straightforward narrative and the ending was fairly predictable. I also didn't like Nancy the main character very much, and she seemed to land on her feet a bit too conveniently.
But despite all that it's an enjoyable read - erotica with a solid storyline, and a well-written alternative look at Victorian England.
It was pretty much as I expected. Only a bit more raunchy (hello massive Victorian leather strap-on), but maybe not as fun.
There were some darker hints of obsession / Victorian madness, but not enough to be really unsettling (unlike 'Fingersmith'). I didn't think the plot was that clever; it was quite a straightforward narrative and the ending was fairly predictable. I also didn't like Nancy the main character very much, and she seemed to land on her feet a bit too conveniently.
But despite all that it's an enjoyable read - erotica with a solid storyline, and a well-written alternative look at Victorian England.
lilmousewarrior's review
4.0
Stars: 3.5
This has been sitting on my shelf gathering dust for ages; the high page count was a bit intimidating and the potential discrimination plots in historical, queer fiction makes me anxious. I finally picked it up though and powered through. This book is 472 pages but is split into three parts; part one is what the GoodReads description covers, and part two and three is an entirely different area of story I was not prepared for.
Waters' prose are fantastic and really paint each new setting masterfully. Her descriptions from the grittier oyster town to the dazzlingly music halls to the low-rent accommodations to villas and so on were impressive and intriguing. I found her descriptions of the music halls, performance, thrill of audience applause, and the way productions took place to be marvelous! Even with artistic liberties the historical narration clearly showed Waters' research into the Victorian era and cultural aspects of lesbian societies. My copy of the book had an afterword by the author talking about some of her research and artistic liberty choices when it came to the story; I enjoyed getting to read about her experience writing this debut novel, and her own feelings about its impact on the queer community in her area.
Despite the moments I liked and the prose there are a lot of elements in the story that make it drag, or generally show some of the usual ricketiness of debut novels. Many of the lover's that Nancy has throughout the story are a bit static in character, or they have brief instances of potential complexity that is never really carried through (especially for Kitty, and Zena). Some of this might be the first-person narration as Nancy's character is so self-oriented and focused that it is hard to get to know other characters. She is fairly vain, selfish, and falls from one infatuation to the next. I do not think self-centered or mean main characters are bad, but it was fairly exhausting by the end of the book to be dealing with Nancy's viewpoint. She does have some character development, but not when it came to her vanity or selfishness, which does not contrast well with the ending being sold to the reader.
Without spoilers, the ending is a shocking tonal shift from the gritty, realistic portrayal of the novel. The narration and style of writing also seemed to change by the last few pages and speeds through to a nice, romcom finish. It does not make a million positive promises, but it was such a stark tonal switch that it felt like I had jumped into an entirely different narrative. I definitely needed some lightness after the intensity of the story, it just felt too swift.
My final note, that Waters' actually mentions in her 2018 afterword, is that the one black character that has lines in the story (Billy Boy) is just there to offer information or concern for the white protagonist. Also, in following with the historical narrative there are certain slurs used in the novel (the N-word is used once in part two; the word "oriental" is used to mention anyone of Asian origin, etc.).
Overall, I did have fun primarily in part one (during the theatrical performance portions of the book), and again later in part three (once Nancy begins her new, mostly openly queer life). It is not my favorite, but I enjoyed it enough I will probably pick up one of Sarah Waters other novels in the future.
This has been sitting on my shelf gathering dust for ages; the high page count was a bit intimidating and the potential discrimination plots in historical, queer fiction makes me anxious. I finally picked it up though and powered through. This book is 472 pages but is split into three parts; part one is what the GoodReads description covers, and part two and three is an entirely different area of story I was not prepared for.
Waters' prose are fantastic and really paint each new setting masterfully. Her descriptions from the grittier oyster town to the dazzlingly music halls to the low-rent accommodations to villas and so on were impressive and intriguing. I found her descriptions of the music halls, performance, thrill of audience applause, and the way productions took place to be marvelous! Even with artistic liberties the historical narration clearly showed Waters' research into the Victorian era and cultural aspects of lesbian societies. My copy of the book had an afterword by the author talking about some of her research and artistic liberty choices when it came to the story; I enjoyed getting to read about her experience writing this debut novel, and her own feelings about its impact on the queer community in her area.
Despite the moments I liked and the prose there are a lot of elements in the story that make it drag, or generally show some of the usual ricketiness of debut novels. Many of the lover's that Nancy has throughout the story are a bit static in character, or they have brief instances of potential complexity that is never really carried through (especially for Kitty, and Zena). Some of this might be the first-person narration as Nancy's character is so self-oriented and focused that it is hard to get to know other characters. She is fairly vain, selfish, and falls from one infatuation to the next. I do not think self-centered or mean main characters are bad, but it was fairly exhausting by the end of the book to be dealing with Nancy's viewpoint. She does have some character development, but not when it came to her vanity or selfishness, which does not contrast well with the ending being sold to the reader.
Without spoilers, the ending is a shocking tonal shift from the gritty, realistic portrayal of the novel. The narration and style of writing also seemed to change by the last few pages and speeds through to a nice, romcom finish. It does not make a million positive promises, but it was such a stark tonal switch that it felt like I had jumped into an entirely different narrative. I definitely needed some lightness after the intensity of the story, it just felt too swift.
My final note, that Waters' actually mentions in her 2018 afterword, is that the one black character that has lines in the story (Billy Boy) is just there to offer information or concern for the white protagonist. Also, in following with the historical narrative there are certain slurs used in the novel (the N-word is used once in part two; the word "oriental" is used to mention anyone of Asian origin, etc.).
Overall, I did have fun primarily in part one (during the theatrical performance portions of the book), and again later in part three (once Nancy begins her new, mostly openly queer life). It is not my favorite, but I enjoyed it enough I will probably pick up one of Sarah Waters other novels in the future.
s4ufos's review
4.0
I should begin this by explaining that this is an assigned book for an upcoming class in the fall semester (which my teacher thankfully shared ahead of time). I normally hate assigned books and struggle to complete them (there have been a few rare exceptions). But, I think this book has changed my opinion on the matter.
It took me a little bit to get into the story at first. After about twenty pages or so, I really started getting into the story. However, it still took me a while to read through. I dedicated an hour each day at lunch towards it and found myself loving the story even more because I had the opportunity to savor it.
Nan was such an interesting and compelling character. In a way, I think many of us can sympathize with her. She starts the story stuck and unsure of herself. As things progress, she begins to understand who she is and what she wants out of life. While I would definitely categorize this along the lines of an LGBTQ genre, I think it could also be one of those books people should read at least once in their life as it tells the tale of self-discovery.
Minor spoiler. Each of her "lovers" contributed to her journey in a way. Kitty was the one that awakened these hidden desires in her, yet kept her still closested (somewhat understandable considering the story was set in the 1890s in England (Alan Turring anyone?)). Diana, while semi-cruel and not truly a "loving" relationship, helped Nan be comfortable in who she was. Zena, while their affair was brief, held up a mirror to Nan and showed her that she was being selfish. Flo is the one that truly helped Nan be free, with herself and her feelings.
All in all, this was a beautiful story. I really struggled between giving it four and five stars. I settled on four stars because I really liked it and would recommend it to people.
It took me a little bit to get into the story at first. After about twenty pages or so, I really started getting into the story. However, it still took me a while to read through. I dedicated an hour each day at lunch towards it and found myself loving the story even more because I had the opportunity to savor it.
Nan was such an interesting and compelling character. In a way, I think many of us can sympathize with her. She starts the story stuck and unsure of herself. As things progress, she begins to understand who she is and what she wants out of life. While I would definitely categorize this along the lines of an LGBTQ genre, I think it could also be one of those books people should read at least once in their life as it tells the tale of self-discovery.
Minor spoiler. Each of her "lovers" contributed to her journey in a way. Kitty was the one that awakened these hidden desires in her, yet kept her still closested (somewhat understandable considering the story was set in the 1890s in England (Alan Turring anyone?)). Diana, while semi-cruel and not truly a "loving" relationship, helped Nan be comfortable in who she was. Zena, while their affair was brief, held up a mirror to Nan and showed her that she was being selfish. Flo is the one that truly helped Nan be free, with herself and her feelings.
All in all, this was a beautiful story. I really struggled between giving it four and five stars. I settled on four stars because I really liked it and would recommend it to people.
hellogaby's review
5.0
4.5 ⭐
In hindsight, I realize that a more mindful approach would have been to research the meaning of "Tipping the Velvet" before showcasing the book in public. But, alas, I was unaware of the erotic connotations associated with the title/meaning, which may have led to some unintentional and potentially embarrassing situations, hahaha!
In hindsight, I realize that a more mindful approach would have been to research the meaning of "Tipping the Velvet" before showcasing the book in public. But, alas, I was unaware of the erotic connotations associated with the title/meaning, which may have led to some unintentional and potentially embarrassing situations, hahaha!
rebeccacider's review
5.0
I put off reading Tipping the Velvet for years, I think, because of the American cover, with its implausible sexy circus girls. This is a book with sexy bits, but those sexy bits include "what if a masc-of-center lesbian did odd jobs around your house in trousers"; the cis male gaze has no place in this novel.
Tipping the Velvet is a glorious pastiche of Victorian sentimental fiction, a genderqueer picaresque that put me in mind of Orlando, an investigation of the dueling impulses of subversion and solidarity, individuality and community, that play out in the queer experience. It's a fun, sensational, refreshing romp of a novel, and still deserves its place in the canon.
Tipping the Velvet is a glorious pastiche of Victorian sentimental fiction, a genderqueer picaresque that put me in mind of Orlando, an investigation of the dueling impulses of subversion and solidarity, individuality and community, that play out in the queer experience. It's a fun, sensational, refreshing romp of a novel, and still deserves its place in the canon.
kelsiepixler's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
theminiarcanist's review
5.0
Sarah Waters does not disappoint-- this is the second book I've read of hers and I'm absolutely in love with her prose and characters, as well as the world. This would be a book I'd recommend to anyone coming to terms with their sexuality, as I felt the differentiating views of queerness in regards to class and privilege was interesting and encompassing.
andipants's review
5.0
Loved it. Victorian London+coming of age story+lesbian romance? Um, yes please. It's maybe not quite as good as Fingersmith, but for me it was pretty damn close. The plot is a bit rambling, but the plot isn't the main focus here; the joy is in the setting, the characters, and the relationships, and those are wonderful and messy and ever-so-believable. Nancy isn't always terribly likable, but it's great to see her grow and mature, and the ending is satisfying and well-earned. Well worth the read.