Tipping the Velvet

Virago V S.

By Sarah Waters

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Average Rating: (See all 3 reviews) Format: Paperback, 472 pages, New edition Edition Published In: United Kingdom, 04 March 1999 Ships within 6-11 days Nan is captivated by the music hall phenomenon that is Kitty Butler, a male impersonator extraordinaire treading the boards in Canterbury. Through a friend at the box office, Nan manages to visit all her shows and finally meet her heroine. Soon after, she becomes Kitty's dresser and the two head for the bright lights of Leicester Square where they start an all-singing and dancing double act. At the same time, behind closed doors, they admit their attraction to each other and their affair begins. About the Author Sarah Waters was born in Wales in 1966. She has a PhD in English Literature and has published articles on lesbian and gay writing and cultural history. She has worked in bookshops and libraries and has taught for the Open University, though has given up full-time academic work in order to concentrate on writing fiction. She is currently working on her third novel. Reviews 'An unstoppable read, a sexy and picaresque romp through the lesbian and queer demi-monde of the roaring Nineties. Could this be a new genre? The bawdy lesbian picaresque novel?' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY 'This could be the most important debut of its kind since that of Jeanette Winterson' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'A delightful novel which sets a new standard for lesbian historical fiction, and should entice new readers to the genre' EMMA DONOGHUE Publisher: Virago Press Ltd ISBN: 1860495249 EAN: 9781860495243 Dimensions: 19.0 x 12.0 centimeters

This is another book I read after having seen the mini-series, but this is one story that is powerful enough to assert itself despite the imagery of the screen. The characters were believable and likable (including Kitty) and Nan and Florence and Ralph were delightful. This book also gave me quite an education in lesbian sex - I blushed reading it! But don't get me wrong, it is much more an emotional and psychological journey with sympathetic and human characters who despite mistakes manage to discover a kernel of truth about their lives.

This is a gorgeous book for anyone! I saw it first on TV as it was made into a BBC drama (which I now own on DVD) and I only watched it because it had lesbian themes but it is so much more than that. On reading the book I found so many more stasfying layers to the characters and events that happen in this historical tale. The characters are believable, I laughed, I cried, I rooted for the underdog! Sarah Waters is a fabulous writer, though I think this is her best work.

The story of Kit Butler, male impersonator is well told in this neat novel. Made into an excellent telemovie by the BBC, the story of the fishmongers daughter who becomes a stage star is well worth reading! Kit's is a rags to riches to rags novel that takes you into her life, amazed when it finanly comes to a satisfying end