On a score of 1-5 stars (5 being the best), how do you rate Fingersmith?
* Couldn't stand it!
5%
[ 1 ]
**
5%
[ 1 ]
***
5%
[ 1 ]
****
11%
[ 2 ]
***** Loved it!
58%
[ 10 ]
Gave up on it (explain why below)
0%
[ 0 ]
Didn't read this one
11%
[ 2 ]
Total Votes : 17
Author
Message
sirg1006 Administrator
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 2142 Birthday: 10th June
Location: Scottish Borders
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 2:21 am Post subject: Oct/Nov Book Choice - FINGERSMITH
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
Discuss here your thoughts on the book once you have finished reading it. Did you (not) enjoy it? Anything that struck you or maybe someone else could answer if you have a question?
For those who have finished it, please choose a star rating for the book based on how much you liked it. What did you think of it? Do you have any questions based on the book?
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 7637 Birthday: 7th July
Location: Shropshire
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:03 pm Post subject: Gripping Gothic Tale
I've just finished Fingersmith and will post my views later. What a fabulous book and clever twist (I didn't see it coming til it was about to happen). I will definitely read more of Sarah Waters' books. _________________ Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10
I LOVED this book.
Truly unputdownable!!
Brilliantly written. I'm sure I was there - I met all the people - felt all the draughts.........well you know what I mean!
One of my favorite reads this year. I lent it to my Mom and she loved it too. I will certainly read more of her work.
ZaN _________________ ****************************
READING
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 7637 Birthday: 7th July
Location: Shropshire
Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 8:57 pm Post subject:
Spoiler:
Quote:
Sue and Maud initially appear to be almost perfect opposites: where Sue's hands are toughened by work, Maud's are smooth and childlike; where Sue is illiterate, Maud does nothing but pore over books. In what ways do the scale and nature of their differences change as the novel progresses? In what ways have they grown alike by the end of their story? How are they different?
I think this is a good question about Sue and Maud. By the end of the book, they've been brought together by the similar ways they've been mistreated by Mrs Sucksby and Gentleman. It's really nice to see them able to shed all the lies and deceit at the end of the story and be themselves. After all the (Bleep!) they were put through, I thought they deserved time together to chill out and get on with their relationship, knowing they have no money worries etc. The ending made me smile, I have to say.
_________________ Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 7637 Birthday: 7th July
Location: Shropshire
Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 11:09 am Post subject:
You will not regret reading it MM and won't want it to end. It's fantastic _________________ Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 955 Birthday: 12th December
Location: Paisley, Scotland
Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:19 pm Post subject:
I am enjoying it so far too! Still less than halfway through though! Hope to get it finished this weekend, but don't know! _________________ Currently reading: The Human Stain by Philip Roth
'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.'
Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 180 Birthday: 20th April
Location: Middlesex
Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:28 pm Post subject:
I read it quite a while ago & loved it. The twist is excellent & really didn't see it coming & I usually do. Found it a bit long . Saw the TV dramitisation of it afterwards & was disappointed. The actresses playing the 2 main characters just didn't seem right although otherwise it was well done. Anyone who has yet to read it you will enjoy. Still haven't read her latest one The Nightwatch but will definitely read more of her work.
Really enjoying this, only 150 pages through though! I hope it's going to be just as good all the way to the end... intrigued as to what to twist might be, hope I don't find a spoiler by mistake!
Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Posts: 232 Birthday: 30th March
Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:21 pm Post subject:
I read Fingersmith at the beginning of this year (before I discovered risi and read more than I swapped ) and I thought it was one of the best novels I had read in a long long time and it is probably my favourite read this year.
I think Sarah Waters has created a work of genius with Fingersmith, I really felt like I was there, the story was original and unpredictable - fabulous!
Spoiler:
I think perhaps there is a stigma attached to this novel though becuase it deal with a homosexual relationship but there is so much more to the story than this. And it is not dealrt wit in a sleazy way. It is just part of the story
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 7637 Birthday: 7th July
Location: Shropshire
Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:28 pm Post subject:
I agree with you Smiler
Spoiler:
Fingersmith isn't a novel about a lesbian affair with loads of sordid details! It enhances the novel rather than being central to it. I sometimes wondered if Maud & Sue really were lesbians; it was as if they were experimenting, but obviously an attraction emerged from that and grew stronger. There is definitely sooo much more to the book than details of a lesbian affair
_________________ Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 630 Birthday: 6th October
Location: norwich,norfolk
Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:20 pm Post subject:
am just up to the bit where....
Spoiler:
Sue first seduces Maud unintentionally in her bed whilst trying to explain what Gentleman will do on her wedding night-found it very erotic(not sleazy) and loved the way both girls begin to realise that there is an emotional bond even if they cannot quite accept it.
wasn't sure if there was any lesbianism in this book though i knew there was in tipping the velvet-am quite glad there is though in a blokes pervy kind of way even though this is not pervy in the slightest.Actually when Sue explained about how you felt this special feeling inside that told you what you were doing was right I thought "this is how I felt with Vicky- my wife-the first time-and still do...."Is that a bit of a soppy thing to think....not very blokey I must admit!!lol
was this adapted into a drama like tipping the velvet was-thought it was but not so sure-if so may look out for it on dvd!!
Sue first seduces Maud unintentionally in her bed whilst trying to explain what Gentleman will do on her wedding night-found it very erotic(not sleazy) and loved the way both girls begin to realise that there is an emotional bond even if they cannot quite accept it.
wasn't sure if there was any lesbianism in this book though i knew there was in tipping the velvet-am quite glad there is though in a blokes pervy kind of way even though this is not pervy in the slightest.Actually when Sue explained about how you felt this special feeling inside that told you what you were doing was right I thought "this is how I felt with Vicky- my wife-the first time-and still do...."Is that a bit of a soppy thing to think....not very blokey I must admit!!lol
was this adapted into a drama like tipping the velvet was-thought it was but not so sure-if so may look out for it on dvd!!
Yes it has been adapted into a drama, I have it on my rental list with Blockbusters... as soon as I've finished the book I will watch it!
Well I finally finished Fingersmith this morning, I must say I absolutely loved it. I'm usually put off my big books but I just wanted to read and read this one, and it was one of those books that you don't want to end.
Spoiler:
I enjoyed the twists, the first one when Sue gets put in the madhouse isn't as twisted as what Maud is told when she gets to London! I just knew there would be a happy ending though, which I really like about a book...
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Born 30/12/08
) and I thought it was one of the best novels I had read in a long long time and it is probably my favourite read this year.