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2000 - 2007 Booker Prize Orange Prize Recommended books

Fingersmith – Sarah Waters


This book was one of the oldest, unread residents of my book shelves. Although I wanted to read it, I kept putting it off as I had already seen the excellent BBC adaptation of it, and I don’t normally like reading books when I know the plot. So when the Orange Prize readers Yahoo group announced it was Sarah Waters month , I decided that this was the incentive I needed to finally take it off the shelf.

I’m really glad I did, as it is one of the best books I have ever read. It didn’t matter that I knew what was going to happen, as the writing was so vivid, that it took the story to a whole new level.

The pace was perfect, despite being 550 pages long, my interest was held throughout. I enjoyed reading this book so much that I was torn between the desire to read it, and not wanting it to come to an end.

It completely immerses you in Victorian England. I loved the way the story was told by the two orphan girls. Seeing everything from two different  perspectives was very clever, and added to the suspense.  The intricate details of the plot, and  all the twists and turns make this a very well constructed novel. It’s hard to describe the plot without giving some of it away, so I won’t try to. I just urge you to read it.

Highly recommended.

Winner of the CWA Ellis Peters Dagger for Historical Crime Fiction. Short listed for both the Orange and the Booker Prize.

13 replies on “Fingersmith – Sarah Waters”

Great to read your review … this book is next up on my TBR pile too. Like you, it’s been on the pile for some time and “Sarah Waters Month” was the inspiration to pull it off the shelf. I’m really looking forward to reading it.

Wow a five-star book…don’t you love it when you read a book you love that much!?! This one is also my my TBR pile for December’s Sarah Water’s Month…and I have heard som many good things about it! Thanks for pricking my interest even more!

I read this book on your recommendation and really enjoyed it.
I read the first section and didnt quite understand what the fuss was about, especially reading the ‘The little strangers’ and feeling the same thing.

However as the book (and parts) progressed I was absolutely sucked in. Absolutely loved it.

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