Book review by Corey
Fingersmith
Fingersmith follows Sue Trinder, an orphan raised among thieves in Victorian London, who becomes part of a scheme to con a wealthy young woman named Maud Lilly out of her inheritance. Sue is sent to Maud’s isolated country house as her maid, but the plan gets much more complicated once the two women become close and the truth about who is using whom starts to unravel.
The book is full of deception, shifting loyalties, gothic atmosphere, and a lesbian relationship that becomes much more important than either woman expects. It takes its time, but the twists are worth it, and the way the story changes depending on whose perspective you are seeing makes it much more clever than a straightforward historical romance.
The Goods
- Excellent plot twists
- Strong lesbian relationship
- Great Victorian atmosphere
- Both main characters are very well developed
- The changing perspectives work extremely well
The Bads
- Quite long
- The pacing can be slow early on
- Some sections are very detailed
- A few twists take a while to pay off
- Not a quick or casual read
My Recommendation
This is a great choice for readers who like lesbian historical fiction, gothic stories, complicated relationships, and plots built around deception and betrayal. Sue and Maud’s relationship gives the book a lot of emotional weight, while the twists and changing perspectives keep making you rethink what you thought you understood. If you enjoy LGBTQ+ fiction with rich atmosphere, morally complicated characters, and a slow-burn story that rewards patience, Fingersmith is absolutely worth the longer read.
