Fingersmith

By: Sarah Waters

Narrated by: Juanita McMahon

Length: 23 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author of Affinity, Sarah Waters was named Author of the Year at the 2003 British Book Awards. Fingersmith was shortlisted for the Orange Prize and the Booker Prize, and was chosen as book of the year 2002 by more organizations than any other novel. Orphaned as an infant, Susan Trinder was raised by Mrs. Sucksby, “mother” to a host of pickpockets and con artists. To pay her debt, she joins legendary thief Gentleman in swindling an innocent woman out of her inheritence. But the two women form an unanticipated bond and the events that follow will surprise every listener.

©2002 Sarah Waters (P)2002 Recorded Books

LOOOOOOONNNG!!!!!

This was a 23 hour listen!!! There was really no need for it to be. The story is basically told twice by two different people from 2 perspectives. I think there were probably more timely ways to do this. I read this book because it was in a list of books with the best plot twists. It does have a good one, but I'm not sure it's good enough to listen for 23 hours! So, while it's not bad, it is difficult to listen to for such an extended time.

Tip: listen at 1.2x or 1.5x speed

Part one is a bit boring but omg it’s so worth it once you get through to part 2 into the actual story. Loved the twists and turns. Only complaint is the narrator talks VERY slow. Wonderful performance, but I had to speed it up or I would have never finished the book.

Sarah Waters write with wonderful prose but...

Wonderful prose, beautiful writing. This could have been a five star book for want of a ruthless editor. The first part (of three) was captivating, but this gave way in part two to tedium. By the time I'd reached part three I only wanted it to be over.

Too Long

Too, too long but I felt obligated to finish it because I had already invested too much time in it.

Well crafted story!

This book was marvelously written and full of perfect descriptive emotional moments! A great romance and story of deception and redemption! Flips points of view that makes you see many different sides to the same story, marvelous!

Victorian gothic keeps you guessing

So Victorian, so gothic, so twist turney. A real juicy tale, complex characters, great setting, excellent narration. Listening to this was like eating a delicious ice cream Sunday for twenty hours. Highly recommend!

Amazing book! Plot twists and all!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Ofcourse. I have read many books these past couple years as it is how I stay sane during work. This one took me by surprise at how good it was.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't want to say. I don't want to give anything away.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes. I was stunned at several parts.

Any additional comments?

This book is one that you start listening to it thinking the storyline is plain and simple, but it was not. It takes you through some amazing surprises and twists. You think you know something and turns out it is completely different.

Favorite Book of the Year

I stumbled on this book and probably selected it because it had a Victorian era storyline. I cannot emphasize how much I loved it. The plot was riveting and the performance by Juanita McMahon was perfect. The woman is a gifted actress/narrator. Outstanding narration aside, a book is only as good as its story and this one was entertaining and compelling. One cannot describe the book without using the word Dickensian, and like Dickens, Sarah Waters draws you in to a world so vivid and rich with detail (but interesting details!), you cannot help being caught up.

I hate reviews that give the story away, but this is a girls' story (in more ways than one). Lots of mystery and romance, and such an engaging first person narrative. If you love Victorian London, endearing heroines, and a story you cannot put down, this is the book for you.

I am now going through all Waters' novels -- each very different, but so well written. My heart belongs to Fingersmith though, it was my first and favorite of the bunch.

Pygmalion meets Oliver Twist

Compelling detail of life min Victorian England among the rich and poor. Fascinating story line and wonderful character development as two female orphans live through trauma, cruelty, hardship. and misunderstandings to find both revenge and love. Excellent narration.

twists!

Such good twists! I found myself audibly gasping! highly recommend this to anyone. the love story was downplayed a bit in my opinion but still good👍🏻