A review by bookbelle5_17
Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

Oyster girl, Nancy Astley's, life is changed as she experiences a sexual awakening starting with performer Kitty Butler, a woman who dresses like and puts on a show. Nancy goes from being an admirer with a crush, to Kitty's dresser, her lover, and eventually her performing partner, Unfortunately, societal expectations force them apart, and Nancy experiences her new found sexuality in dark heartbreaking ways.
This erotic and beautiful novel fascinated me with its heartbreaking story about this young woman's journey from Oyster girl to a Drag King. Nancy goes through so much just be her true self, even sacrificing her dignity in the process. I only hated one of the characters that came into Nancy's life, Diana. Her lifestyle wasn't my cup of tea, but I understood it and I get Nancy being susceptible to it. I hated how Diana treated her and there is one part during her time with Diana that made me uncomfortable to read. Water's writing is on par and makes for a relaxing story that includes enough description that you can easily picture in your head. She's uses the F word a few times and there are some scenes with a the characters using a dildo. It is a tragic but hopeful story by the end.
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