Fingersmith - Sarah Waters

In writing 'Fingersmith' Sarah Waters has not only written a fantastic historical thriller but she has shown her literary skill and knowledge by mimicking the Victorian mystery melodrama genre with great aplomb. The story deals with two young girls both just seventeen, one Sue Trinder an orphan and street thief brought up in Borough a rough quarter of Victorian London, the other Maud Lilly an only child also orphaned at a young age brought up in a mental asylum but now living with her rich uncle Lilly (based on real life book collector Henry Spenser Ashbee) in the decaying splendour of Briar a country manor house on the banks of the Thames on the outskirts of ...  Read the complete review

Tempted by my first experience of the written work of Sarah Waters, and her book “Affinity” (Published in 2005 and therefore later than this work), I bought this book with high expectations and upon recommendation. The story is set in London, the year 1862. We are introduced to the characters that are to form the foundation of the book fairly early on, and the reader is taken from the lowly “Borough” area of London where Susan Trinder's formative years are spent in the care of a Mrs. Sucksby who takes in infants, and Mr. Ibbett, who looks after the local Locksmith shop. The characters that build up the texture of the story are colourful and very believeable, ...  Read the complete review

The first of Sarah Waters books that I have both read and enjoyed, Fingersmith is a brilliant Dickensian tale of orphans, the seedy criminal underworld of 19th century London and mis-placed identity that has much in common with Oliver Twist to which there are many crafty nods throughout the course of the novel. Sue Trinder has been brought up an orphan in the house of Mrs.Suckesby surrounded by ne'er-do-well types, screaming babies and the popular fence of stolen goods Mr.Ibbs after her mother was hanged for murder within sight of her bedroom window. A regular caller, known only as Gentleman, pays a visit one evening with Sue in mind for a devious ...  Read the complete review

If I may I'd like to preface this review with a caveat or three. First of all, I'm a huge Sarah Waters fan, simply finding her to be one of the most exciting young writers working today. Secondly, I'm new to DooYoo, and delighted to be here. As far as I can find there are no restrictions about posting a comment elsewhere after it has been posted here, which is what I'd like to do with this. When I'm truly excited about something I tend to want to tell the world, and I hope that none of my new colleages find that objectionable. Nonetheless, I'm still feeling my way and appreciate very much your guidance and time spent in reading ...  Read the complete review

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters (2002, Virago Press) was nominated for both the Man Booker prize and the Orange prize, which is no slight achievement and which is fully deserved by this gripping and complex story. The novel is set in 1862 in London and provides a treat of atmospheric urban Victorian settings. The den of thieves, the lunatic asylum and the creepy mansion are staples of the Gothic imagination, but Waters' descriptions make them vivid and compelling. Mrs Sucksby's shady town house is palpably seedy; Maud Lilly's home becomes increasinbly sinister with each new turn of events. This novel is far more than the sum of these ...  Read the complete review