155
Book · 1998
Tipping the Velvet
A young oyster seller falls in love with a music-hall performer and follows her to London. Across the stages, streets, and drawing rooms of Victorian society, Nan discovers changing possibilities for desire, independence, and belonging.
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Waters brings together a vibrant ensemble of lesbians and other women who love women. Unapologetic Victorian Toms (sapphic women) abound, from the feminine to the butch and everything in between, and it’s truly awesome to have this many Queer ladies in one book. These are flawed, beautiful, cruel, kind, gentle, rough, complex women, and the depth and range of characters is totally awesome!
Dora on Dora Reads I absolutely adored this, even more than Fingersmith. So well written, so engaging and moving. I love the exploration of Victorian society, especially of the Victorian lesbian underworld. At its heart, this is just a brilliant coming of age story (with a fair bit of romance thrown in).
Katie Lumsden on Goodreads This is not a “tragic lesbian” novel. This is not a sanitized, palatable queerness written to make straight readers comfortable. This is a full-bodied, unapologetic queer coming-of-age story, drenched in desire, class struggle, performance, heartbreak, and self-discovery.
The Book Baddie Diaries on Substack Nancy is a lovely character to follow through this story, so fully realised that you can see just why she makes all of the decisions that she does. There’s sex and heartbreak and everything in between on Nancy’s journey.
Sash S on The Lesbrary A story that depicts the struggles of love between women in Victorian England.
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