Reviews with content warning for Blood - Du bout des doigts

(another library audiobook rental)

i definitely would have enjoyed this more if i read a physical copy, but the audiobook was also very good!

this is a fantastic lesbian classic that really appealed to my historical fiction fan brain. the details of the culture/customs era and setting were really fun and added some levity to the darker plots.

Sue’s perspective in parts one and the end of part three were hilarious, but the scenes at the asylum were honestly nauseating at times. Maud’s point of view was less funny, more thoughtful and romantic. I loved that she had feelings for Sue before Sue realized her own feelings.

several of the plot twists were brutal, though i admit i spoiled many of them through impatient googling. the pacing was about right, and the romantic element kept me on my toes the entire time. although i really liked living in each character’s head, some parts did drag on and on, which is why this only gets a 4/5 from me.

overall, i enjoyed the complexity of how each woman felt about themselves and each other, their clear motivations, their unique histories, and their satisfying, poetic ending.

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aduqu's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Thoroughly enjoyable, and definitely a page turner! There was twist after twist, and each twist colored the events before it differently.

It didn't quite reach 5 stars for me because it did drag a bit in the middle, but otherwise was a captivating read!

Content Warnings

cattheteawitchfairy's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

DISCLAIMER - I read this text as a set text for university meaning I did not pick this up for myself. It does not necessarily fit my usual reading selection so my review may be rather biased.

What a read! I would probably have never picked this up for myself yet it’s become a favourite.

Wonderful writing style with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming at all. Engaging characters and a romance with spicy bits that leave you wanting more!

Would highly recommend.

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clovelatte's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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lironore's review

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mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Sarah Waters est une conteuse hors pair ! Même les longueurs avaient tout leur sens. La tension est intense et on se demande toujours quel rebondissement viendra chambouler l'intrigue. J'ai eu dû mal à arrêter de lire.
- écrit comme un classique mais avec un talent incroyable pour le conte. La plume est fluide et pleine de sens.

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becksusername's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I took too long to get to it and had to return to library and place a new hold.

When the perspective first changed to Maud's I got bored for a while, but other than that, this book was so good!

Content Warnings

surelyinthefountain's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It's good! The prose is lush and descriptive. There's this moody, claustrophobic feeling that the writing does so well -- you really get the sense that everyone's got a predestined role to play with little real agency as they rattle on towards their ultimate fates. Fortune feels like a character, and that's pretty neat.
There's a lot of content in here that's uh...pretty triggering, to say the least. Thematically, the book is in no small part about trauma -- its effects, its consequences, etc. -- so it kind of needed to be so. I don't think Waters ever goes gratuitous with it, either. But yeah, the forced institutionalization stuff in here is no joke.

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aragorns_nameless_daughter's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

10/10 storyline, plot twists, character development, writing style, setting, suspense, drama and unexpected humor

I can't even think of another book where the main character felt so real and relatable, nor one where the story was so entirely unpredictable, it leaves you speechless.

I'd prepared myself for a casual read, the synopsis sounding engaging enough, but what I'm walking out with is a book that's going straight into my favorites.

There were a few very dark chapters in the second half that almost tempted me to go for the 4 star rating, but that wouldn't do my whole reading experience any justice. This is a literary masterpiece.

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