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  • Sarah Waters is an eloquent writer. The era in which the book takes place is also quite interesting. While the book is about lesbianism, one should try and look at it as part of the story- not as the whole story.

    Nan starts off as an ordinary oyster girl living with her family. When she go ... Continue

    Sarah Waters is an eloquent writer. The era in which the book takes place is also quite interesting. While the book is about lesbianism, one should try and look at it as part of the story- not as the whole story.

    Nan starts off as an ordinary oyster girl living with her family. When she goes to a local playhouse, she finds Kitty and her life is forever changed in many ways.

    Ms. Waters doesn't beat you over the head with paragraph after paragraph of the trysts. The few scenes that do take place are only a few sentences at best. Instead she gives you an overview of the time in which the story takes place. The mores and morals of people of that time are much the same as ours, just different costuming.

    I liked this book a great deal. It is the 2nd book I've read by her and highly recommend both. The other is Fingersmith, with an interesting twist at the end.

    

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• ― Helena said on Oct 12, 2007 about the Paperback edition| Add your feedback

This stunning and steamy debut chronicles the adventures of Nan King, a small-town girl at the turn of the century whose life takes a wild turn of its own when she follows a local music hall star to London...

"Glorious...a sexy, sinewy sojourn of a young woman in turn-of-the-century England."--The Boston Globe

"Erotic and absorbing...If lesbian fiction is to reach a wider readership, Waters is the person to carry the banner."--The New York Times Book Review

"Wonderful...a sensual experience that leaves the reader marveling at the author's craftsmanship, idiosyncrasy and sheer effort."--The San Francisco Chronicle

"Amazing....This is the lesbian novel we've all been waiting for."--Salon.com

"Compelling...Readers of all sexes and orientations should identify with this gutsy hero as she learns who she is and how to love."--Newsday

"Echoes of Tom Jones, Great Expectations...Waters's debut offers terrific entertainment: pulsating with highly charged (and explicitly presented) erotic heat."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

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