May 19, 2009

Fingersmith - Sarah Waters


I actually finished Fingersmith a while ago now but I have been waiting for inspiration so that I could write a post and a review that did justice to the book. Unfortunately inspiration is sadly lacking in my life at the moment - work and other "duties" feel like they have taken over - so I thought I should at least get a post together on this one before all of my thoughts slowly leave me (one of my faults - no matter how much I love a book I quickly forget all of the details about it and only a vague feeling will remain).

After reading and loving Affinity earlier this year and previously loving The Night Watch everyone kept telling me that I had to read Fingersmith - I am so glad I listened.

I was totally captivated by the story of orphan Sue Trinder, living in the London of 1862 with a group of petty thieves (fingersmiths) who form her family. Sue moves to the country early in the novel to work as a ladies maid for Maud Lilly - a job that forms part of a plot to seduce the young lady in question and steal her considerable wealth.

The storyline and characters in this novel are so much richer than I can describe without giving too much away. There is a real depth to every character portrayed in this book - but especially Sue and even Maud as we learn more about her from her own perspective later in the book.

This was an amazing novel - one that I would like to read again (knowing what I now know about how the story turns out). I can't wait to read the new Sarah Waters novel now!

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oooh I love her books, Fingersmith especially. I'm glad you liked it :) I can't wait to check out her new book!

megan said...

I'm really glad you mentioned that you often forget details of a book quite quickly - this happens to me all the time!! So I'm always saying, 'oh yeah, I've read that...it was good...or it was bad' and can't remember any specifics! I'm so glad I'm not the only one :)

I am so dying to read the new Sarah Waters - I am even considering breaking my book-buying ban!

Unknown said...

Fingersmith is one of my all time favourite books, so I'm really pleased you liked it. Little Stranger is very good, but not in the same league as this one, so don't build your expectations up too much, but I'm sure you'll love it anyway!

Molly said...

Because of Farm Lane's high recommendation, I borrowed Fingersmith from the library last week. Now, based on your review, I think I need to read it this week.

And thank you so much for sharing your propensity for forgetting book details. I always have a difficult time remembering the details, and up until now, thought I was the only bibliophile who did so.

Nadia said...

I can't wait to read Fingersmith now! Oh, and I am so glad you mentioned how you forget book details after reading a book - that happens to me too! I always feel so lame for forgetting, but am glad to read that I am not the only one out there who forgets. yay!

Thoughts of Joy said...

I have one book by Waters on my TBR Shelves, but it's not this one. I have it on my TBR List, though. :) I sure hope to get to it sometime this year. Your review has really encouraged me.

Karen said...

Hi Amanda - That's exactly how I feel, I still need to read Tipping The Velvet too so I have plenty of Waters in store at the moment.

Hi Megan - I thought I was the only one!! It seems from the comments here that we are definitely not alone! I would lend a book to my best friend not long after I had finished it and as she was reading it she would be talking to me about particular scenes etc... and I would just have to nod along and pretend I remembered that particular part! Very frustrating.

Hi Jackie - Thanks for the warning! I have heard that it is quite a different book from her others. But I am sure, as you say, I will still enjoy it.

Hi Molly - it seems we are not alone! I hope you enjoy Fingersmith when you get to it.

Hi Nadia - it sounds like there are heaps of us who forget details so that is comforting!

Hi Joy - I would definitely encourage you to read at least one Waters book this year - a fantastic writer.

Wendy said...

So glad to hear you loved this one as I did - Waters is such a tremendous writer, isn't she?

Iliana said...

Fingersmith is on my pile of books to read although right now I'd love to get her new book. I just love her writing.

Anonymous said...

The Night Watch was a bit too slow for me although I don't doubt her writing prowess. Fingersmith is my next book and now that you have recommended it, I would bump it up the pile. :)

Tara said...

I am also the having the same lack of inspiration to write...so it seems easier to comment at this point! Anyhow, glad you loved this teriffic book! It's one of my favorites.

Karen said...

Hi Wendy - she is a brilliant writer! Makes me want to quit my job and just read for a living!

Hi Iliana - I'm really looking forward to reading her new book too. It's always nice to discover a new author that you love and realise they have a few books waiting for you to consume!

Hi Matt - I hope you enjoy FS - I thought it was a very different book to The Night Watch in style and tone so you might enjoy it more.

Hi Tara - that's exactly what I'm doing at the moment!

JoAnn said...

Fingersmith was such a good book! I certainly understand waiting for inspiration to write a review...it took me two weeks to get to The Home-Maker!!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

"one that I would like to read again (knowing what I now know about how the story turns out)." Hmm--is there a little twist? This one is definitely on my list and I got a nice bookstore coupon in my email this morning, so maybe I'll pick it up. Love rich characters!! (well, not rich rich, but you know what I mean. :P)

Karen said...

Hi JoAnn - I'm still struggling to find that motivation I think! Will just have to keep reading until it finds me...

Hi Trish - I think you could say there was a twist in this one - but as I have said before, I can be quite a dense reader at times and not see things coming!!

Danielle said...

I loved this book. It was one so many people told me to read and for some reason I dragged my feet about it. So glad I finally did read it, though. I totally didn't see those twists coming--she completely floored me!

Karen said...

Hi Danielle - I'm really glad to hear somebody else say they didn't see the twists coming - I always feel like I miss things that others see so easily. I don't really mind - it makes the reading fun!

jspeyton said...

I head that this book was based on Wilkie Collin's The Woman in White. I LOVED The Woman in White, and I suspect I'll love this too. I'm kind of surprised I haven't read this sooner!

Really glad you liked it.

www.whosabiblioaddict.com

AthnamaS said...

i watched affinity, tipping the velvet, and fingersmith already but, I want to have the book. Especially Fingersmith. The only problem is, I'm not sure if it's available in our country >> Philippines. I'm desperately searching for it and it's stressful enough already. BUT I JUST HAVE TO HAVE IT!!! :) I can't just forget how wonderfully made the story is. HAVE TO READ IT!!!