Tipping the Velvet

By: Sarah Waters

Narrated by: Juanita McMahon

Nan King, an oyster girl, is captivated by the music hall phenomenon 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 begin a glittering career as music-hall stars in 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.

©1998 Sarah Waters (P)2003 W.F. Howes

What a treat!

Where does Tipping the Velvet rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

To date, this is the best audiobook I've listened to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Tipping the Velvet?

There's no *one* memorable moment. It was 19 hours of memorable moments.

Which character – as performed by Juanita McMahon – was your favorite?

Nancy - the narrator. She captured the pure essence of who Nancy is, what she was feeling, and the import of what she was telling.

If you could rename Tipping the Velvet, what would you call it?

I wouldn't

Any additional comments?

19 hours of absolute bliss. Juanita McMahon absolutely nailed the narration. Sarah Waters' writing is perfection, in my opinion - on this book, at the very least. I read the book years ago and fell in love with it then. After listening to the audiobook, I've fall in love all over again.

New Favorite Author

The narration of this audio book was incredible!! 👏👏 I'm so happy I chose to listen to it. This is my first Sarah Waters novel and it did not disappoint.

amazing story!

My favorite book of all time. I've read it 5 times and just listened to the audio book for thr first time and it felt like I was reading it for the first time. Amazing narration. I love this story so much.

Absolutely loved this book

This book thrilled me an shocked me and I couldn't wait to pick it back up each day. The main character, Nan, was one I really connected with. I think I related to her immaturity at that age, making decisions and mistakes with lasting consequences. Wanting to be grown up and on your own but not realizing how vulnerable you are to the situations the world can bring you when you rely on others. The downfall of being attracted and distracted by shiny-pretty material things instead of keeping all food head on your shoulders. I mean if you're young and beautiful you can be who you want right? I loved the setting and time period. The sensuality between her and her lovers drew me in. The author really captured the main characters and I felt I knew Nan. The narrator is absolutely brilliant. I say give it a go! The story brings you in really quickly and you won't want to let go. I feel like Nan did learn some important lessons overnight the years and I am happy with the way the book ended.

Beautifully Written Love and Coming-Of-Age Story

This book was wonderful. It was well written, kept my interest, and was just spicy enough without the sex scenes seeming too egregious. If you just like a good story, this book is for you. But, reader beware: you, too, will fall in love with Nancy!

What an amazingly great book!

As others have noted, it was not a usual theme they would buy. I don't get squeamish, but I saw it in my library and did not remember why I bought it and I was not looking forward to reading it. Glad I did though. I loved the way she used words like queer and gay throughout the book only because they were words of the time, much different as they are used today. The other sayings and slang were laugh out loud funny, along with what Nan would be thinking. I loved her through the good and bad times. Narration was the best I have come across I think. I would recommend this book to anyone. I plan on reading other Sarah Waters' books. This girl can write.

Nan <3

What did you love best about Tipping the Velvet?

I love all of the historical details about lesbian life during this time period. I think the characters are all well developed, and the story is entertaining. I also liked that, though there is love, it's not a love story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nancy, of course! I read this book years ago when I was in college and fell in love with everything about it, but I was particularly in love with Nan who was unabashedly herself throughout the novel. I was afraid the book wouldn't live up to my memory of it this time around, but Nan managed to charm me yet again.

What does Juanita McMahon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Every single character had a unique voice with Juanita McMahon's reading.

If you could rename Tipping the Velvet, what would you call it?

I wouldn't rename it at all. If you're in the know, the name is cheeky and screams "lesbian" without being crude.

Any additional comments?

This made me want to read more by this author.

A Gripping Love Story

Love found, and love lost. Sarah Waters is a fantastic writer, and every emotional impact dealt is like experiencing it for yourself.

So good!

Such a good story. Kept me intrigued the whole time. First really good lesbian book I’ve listened to. Very pleased!

finding love and struggling with property

a beautiful story about the Journey of a young woman who finds a love but has to struggle with abuse and being a street walker until she finally finds it. she has been beaten and she has had her heart broken more than once.