Tipping the Velvet
Author: Sarah Waters
Published by: Virago
Pages: 473
Format: Kindle
My Rating: ★★★
Published by: Virago
Pages: 473
Format: Kindle
My Rating: ★★★
From the oyster huts of Whitstable to the music halls of Victorian London, Tipping the Velvet is the glorious first novel from this much-loved author
'Piercing the shadows of the naked stage was a single shaft of rosy limelight, and in the centre of this was a girl: the most marvellous girl - I knew it at once! - that I had ever seen.'
A saucy, sensuous and multi-layered historical romance, Tipping the Velvet follows the glittering career of Nan King - oyster girl turned music-hall star turned rent boy turned East End 'tom'.
'Piercing the shadows of the naked stage was a single shaft of rosy limelight, and in the centre of this was a girl: the most marvellous girl - I knew it at once! - that I had ever seen.'
A saucy, sensuous and multi-layered historical romance, Tipping the Velvet follows the glittering career of Nan King - oyster girl turned music-hall star turned rent boy turned East End 'tom'.
My thoughts:
Sarah Waters’ Tipping the Velvet is a historical novel set in Victorian England, following the journey of Nancy Astley as she navigates love, heartbreak, and self-discovery within London’s queer scene. The book is packed with drama, romance, and an exploration of identity, making for an eventful and unpredictable read.
While I found the plot engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep me reading, I really struggled with the writing style. The first-person narration was a particular challenge, mainly because I didn’t connect with Nancy as a protagonist. She’s a deeply flawed and often frustrating character, making it difficult to fully invest in her journey. Her choices, at times reckless and self-serving, made me feel more detached than immersed.
Another aspect I didn’t love was the explicit nature of the sex scenes. While I understand their relevance to the story, they felt a bit excessive at times, sometimes overshadowing the more compelling aspects of Nancy’s experiences.
That said, Tipping the Velvet is undeniably bold, offering a vivid portrayal of LGBTQ+ life in a time when such stories were rarely told. Despite my reservations about the writing style and character choices, I can appreciate the novel’s significance and the way it brings queer history to life.. If you enjoy historical fiction with a daring and provocative edge, this might be a book worth exploring. It was certainly an interesting one to discuss at this month’s book club!
Overall reaction:
Sarah Waters’ Tipping the Velvet is a historical novel set in Victorian England, following the journey of Nancy Astley as she navigates love, heartbreak, and self-discovery within London’s queer scene. The book is packed with drama, romance, and an exploration of identity, making for an eventful and unpredictable read.
While I found the plot engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep me reading, I really struggled with the writing style. The first-person narration was a particular challenge, mainly because I didn’t connect with Nancy as a protagonist. She’s a deeply flawed and often frustrating character, making it difficult to fully invest in her journey. Her choices, at times reckless and self-serving, made me feel more detached than immersed.
Another aspect I didn’t love was the explicit nature of the sex scenes. While I understand their relevance to the story, they felt a bit excessive at times, sometimes overshadowing the more compelling aspects of Nancy’s experiences.
That said, Tipping the Velvet is undeniably bold, offering a vivid portrayal of LGBTQ+ life in a time when such stories were rarely told. Despite my reservations about the writing style and character choices, I can appreciate the novel’s significance and the way it brings queer history to life.. If you enjoy historical fiction with a daring and provocative edge, this might be a book worth exploring. It was certainly an interesting one to discuss at this month’s book club!
Overall reaction:
