Fingersmith [B1145]

2002 PB in nice clean condition. 2003 Lambda Literary Award Winner. Now adapted as 'The Handmaiden', a film directed by Park Chan-wook and starring Kim Tae-Ri. Sue Trinder is an orphan, left as an infant in the care of Mrs. Sucksby, a "baby farmer," who raised her with unusual tenderness, as if Sue were her own. Mrs. Sucksby's household, with its fussy babies calmed with doses of gin, also hosts a transient family of petty thieves-fingersmiths-for whom this house in the heart of a mean London slum is home. One day, the most beloved thief of all arrives-Gentleman, an elegant con man, who carries with him an enticing proposition for Sue: If she wins a position as the maid to Maud Lilly, a naïve gentlewoman, and aids Gentleman in her seduction, then they will all share in Maud's vast inheritance. Once the inheritance is secured, Maud will be disposed of-passed off as mad, and made to live out the rest of her days in a lunatic asylum. With dreams of paying back the kindness of her adopted family, Sue agrees to the plan. Once in, however, Sue begins to pity her helpless mark and care for Maud Lilly in unexpected ways...But no one and nothing is as it seems in this Dickensian novel of thrills and reversals.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "Long but enjoyable- dark, twisty and gothic. Some parts I feel dragged at times but it was so well written that it was still entertaining."; "A twisty-turny bodice-ripping gothic romance lifted to greatness by Waters' wonderful female-centered narrative and attention to detail. One of the best books I've read this year. Must read."; "My girlfriend has been begging me to read this since we moved in together (and I loved Tipping The Velvet) and obviously she was right about it being perfect, again. Batsh*t insane, heartwarming slash wrenching, kind of unbelievable at times but isn't that the point? A window into many things: familial love, betrayal, class, patriarchy, surrender and, ultimately, lesbianism."; "Although the book is long, it is worth your time. Well-developed characters, a well-researched world, and a complete plot with just the right amount of lesbian romance make this book nearly perfect. Although it can drag at times and the dual perspectives can feel repetitive, I think the characters and story make the almost 600-page book worth reading."