Recently Released
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Recently Caught
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Social Links
Bookish Quotes
"A book must be the ax for the frozen sea within us."
Tipping the Velvet
|
Tipping the Velvet
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
28 journalers for this copy...
|
Here we are in Minneapolis, where I bought this book used. Who knows what crazy adventures she had before I took her home with me ...
|
|
|
|
|
I just started reading this before bed last night and already I'm 100 pages in. It's completely captivating.This book will be shared with the participants listed below and then... who knows? 1. Sign up for this BookRay by sending me a Private Message. New members will be added to the end of the list. 2. When the person above you on the list finishes the book, they will send you a Private Message to ask for your mailing address. If you are too busy to read the book in the next few weeks, let me know and I will move you down on the list. 3. Make a journal entry when you receive the book to let us know you got it. 4. When you finish the book, make another journal entry telling us what you thought. Pictures, favorite quotes, and other embellishments are encouraged. 5. Send a Private Message to the person after you on the bookray list and request their mailing address. If the person is going away on vacation or doesn't answer within 7 days, please PM me so I can move the missing person down the list, and then... repeat step 5. 6. Send the book on its way. It's that easy! Participants: 1. Flashgirl (MN, USA) 2. mrsordonez (MO, USA) 3. lightwavz (MI, USA) 4. sweetsangria (OR, USA) 5. noraneptune (USA) 6. woodsroy (New Brunswick, CA) 7. talkland (UK) 8. kangaroo (UK) 9. Lukutoukka (Finland) 10. symphonicca (Austria) 11. grover3d (WV, USA) 12. MarthaMinx (NC, USA) 13. jenvince (CA, USA) 14. weeblet (VA, USA) 15. midwinter (AZ, USA) 16. EyeFeminie (TX, USA) 17. guinaveve (OH, USA) Bookray complete! (That is, the first leg of this book's journey. New bookray participants see entry further down for instructions.) Side note: For anyone who hasn't read it yet, you may want to join swan-scot's Fingersmith BookRing. |
|
|
|
|
When I heard this book repeatedly described as a "bawdy Victorian romp," I expected something much more fast-paced. Instead this book began at quite a leisurely pace, with all the exquisite poetry of covert glances and held breath. What reader couldn't relate to an infatuation from afar? And while it developed, as promised, into a raunchy, explicit story of sexual self-discovery, the story retained a slowness and fascination with detail. But this story wasn't only about self-discovery of a sexual nature. It was, in essence, a coming-of-age tale. The novel seemed carefully calculated to bring Nance through each of the various lesbian subcultures of the time, and with each transition Nance develops her integrity and personal power, emerging at the end as a mature, self-realized woman.I haven't read any of Waters' other books, but I hear they are even better. I am anxious to get my hands on the next one. I only hope this book doesn't reflect poorly for those who already read and loved Fingersmith! The picture shows some friends and I letting down our hair after getting into the spirit of our local "male impersonator" show (longing, of course, for a glance from one of the performers...) Mailed to mrsordonez. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oh my goodness! I absolutely loved this book, and could hardly put it down. I apologize for hanging on to it for so long, but I had a major move (left my home of 13 years) and time was short for reading for a while. Now that I'm kind of back into my life again, (there's still boxes everywhere) I dedicated this weekend to finishing this jewel of a novel. I hate to comment much openly, as I don't want to spoil the book for future readers, so I'll make a spoiler posting. Highlight the blank area with your mouse to read the following text.**********spoiler********** Hopefully, I'm doing a good job of hiding this from future readers. Previous ones will probably be able to read this in the email, however, as it doesn't "read" html. I must say that I was flabberghasted at the end of the first part when Nancy left Kitty. I fully expected them to be together for the whole novel, and was so so so disappointed at first that they were not. Their love was innocent and new to them, and felt much like some of my own experiences. I am very glad, however, that Nancy was able to mature and accept herself as a "tom" and grow out of her "schoolgirl crush" with Kitty into a full-fledged mutually loving relationship. I must admit I relished the scenes with Diana because it seemed so, what's the word?, naughty... I was sad to find that none of the book really delved into the picture on the cover (which would have been a REAL vaudeville show!). I am always one to look for the meaning of the title in the book, and this one didn't show up until about page 416. By then I had already guessed it. I was really angry that Nancy had to be a "gay boy" on the streets in order to earn an income. Whether as a male or female, she was always made to bend to the male desire and power that hung constantly over her. I was glad when she met Diana and freed herself from that, however demeaning her role thus became in that household. I didn't fully understand Zena's blaming of Nancy for the loss of her job, when Zena was also a willing (if not seduced) participant. I was very happy that at the end of this book, Nancy hadn't had only a handful of sexual and romantic encounters, but rather quite a few. Unfortunately, it doesn't always seem that it was so easy to find so many "toms" out and about. It certainly hasn't been easy for me. Although I rather dislike England and rather dislike the turn-of-the-century time period, for some reason, neither one bothered me here. I guess my only complaint was that the affair with Flo seemed rushed and forced. It was like Nancy had run out of options about 2/3 through the book, so Waters just dragged up a former acquaintance to make a happy ending. I wished that Nancy hadn't ended up with someone she considered "plain" but rather with her heart ablaze as it had been with Kitty. I guess that's all I'll comment for now. I'll be getting the book moving again as soon as possible. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just finished this one up a few minutes ago... What to say, what to say... I have so many comments and I truly rode the emotional rollercoaster on this one. I was so entranced by Part 1 and disappointed by its ending (although I didn't blame Nancy at all...). Part 2 left me feeling used up and discarded. If the djinn's wish were offered to me, I would've chosen in the opposite direction, especially given the kind hospitality and gentle nature of Mrs. Milne and Gracie (that was the biggest disappointment of the book for me). Part 3 left me feeling human again and had me singing Billy Bragg songs. I was very happy with the ending. As flashgirl said, this was a novel about growing up, about realizing and standing up for who you are and about not having to hide. Overall, I loved it! I think I will buy a copy to send to my friends db and ss who are celebrating their second anniversary of partnership. ss is herself an east end girl!Thanks for the bookray, flashgirl! To stay true to the nature of the journal entries here, I wanted to say as a side note that my favorite 'girl in drag' movie is Twelfth Night... Imogen Stubbs and Helena Bonham-Carter are both on my "If I Were A Lesbian..." List. Which brings up a strange point to me. I have a list, I admit it. Most of my straight female friends have a list. But any male friends? No way! Why is this? Why don't men just admit that handsome men such as Rupert Everett are just downright sexy?! Ah, I suppose we will never know! I'll send this along to sweetsangria very, very quickly... I know that this one has a long journey ahead! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I didn't love this book and I didn't hate it. The first part was probably my favorite of the 3. The second part was depressing, and the third part didn't seem realistic. I didn't like how Nancy stopped talking to her family, and even when she was at her lowest, she didn't consider going home to whitstable. There were a few times that I considered giving up and not finishing the book, but I decided to finish it and overall I'm glad I did.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Journal Entry 28 by
Hey there! I just received this well worn and well-travelled book in the mail yesterday! Am just finishing up another bookring at the moment ( "Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon"), and then will start on this book. I am excited to read it, as I recently read "Fingersmith" by the same author and LOVED it! Will journal more once I have started reading--- thanks for passing it along!
|
|
|
|
|
Journal Entry 29 by
Wow! I am roaring through this book. I am staying up way too late at night reading this book---- enjoying the unfolding of the story and the characters, relishing the wonderful attention to detail and the breath-taking awakenings in the narrative. I have also been surprised by the huge shifts that happen in the story, and yet how subtly and 'naturally' they happen. So you are in one frame of mind when you pick the book up, and are in a completely different place when you put it down a few hours later.The homey-ness and pungency of the oyster-shucking life, the comfort (and subsequent magic) of the theatre, with its burning lamps and smoke and greasepaint. The tentative longing and burst of love--- All wonderful images! (there are more, but i don't want to spoil it for future readers....) :) I do have to say that, although I am liking this book a ton, i can't help but compare it to the other Sarah Waters book I have read. On that point, I notice that the writing, while wonderful and captivating and all of that good stuff, isn't as good as in "Fingersmith", which came later. However, this is just a testament to her improving as a writer, and what a strong foundational talent Waters has! Anyway, I will continue on my journey through the backstreets of London, and will journal more when I am done. Good good GOOD book! Am very glad I got a chance to read it! |
|
|
|
|
Journal Entry 30 by
I really enjoyed this book! **Spoiler** There is a musical called "Aspects of Love", and this book felt a little bit like the story in that musical, in that it explored a lot of different kinds of loving (and often the pain associated with that kind of love when things go sour). Nancy's platonic and comfortable love for her sister and her family (as well as for her 'host' family when she got back on her feet after the break-up), the passionate and deep (and haunting) love between kitty and nancy (as well as flo and Lillian, one could argue), the 'love' of convenience between Kitty and Walter (and one could also say between Nancy and Zena), the imbalanced, destructive and purchased love between Diana and Nancy, the similarly commodified 'love' between Nancy and her tricks, and, as cheezy as it sounds, the eventual love that develops in nancy for herself. If she didn't respect and love herself, i don't think she could have made the choice to stay with flo--- going back with kitty would have been too easy. Some people who read this book thought the love she had for Flo wasn't as exciting as that of kitty, and i do understand the feeling. It wasn't was whirl-wind or roller-coaster-ish. If you think back to your first love, something of them will always be with you. But I felt like the love between flo and nancy was REAL, in a way that the relationship with kitty never was (and perhaps never could be). Nancy was finally in a place where she could have a real relationship and be okay with it in public, and with herself, and i just don't think kitty was there, or would ever be there. Anyway, all this to say i really enjoyed the book. It made me think a lot (obviously), and the juicy parts were a nice diversion from the more tragic parts of the story (which were also nice, in their own way--- so well written!) I will for sure be looking for more Sarah Waters books (i believe she has another one called 'Affinity'... I will have to try to find it!) Thanks, flashgirl, for starting the ring! Very glad i got an opportunity to get my hands on this one! :) ******************** Sent to grover3d on Oct. 22nd--- enjoy! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
i *really* liked this one. it gave me a feeling of immersion that i rarely get from a book. it also bucked up my vocabulary a bit ;)thanks for sharing, and i'll mail next week! **mailed 6/22** |
|
|
|
|
Journal Entry 39 by
|
|
|
|
|
Journal Entry 40 by
|
|
|
|
|
Journal Entry 41 by
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
indygo88 (IN) arugh48187 (MN, US shipping) Lpree (Nebraska, ship anywhere) mellion108 (MI, ship anywhere) Flakes (IL, ship anywhere) ajsmom (Canada) Arwen-Galadriel(Canada) LisaGriffith (Massachusetts, ship anywhere) Franciek (Italy) back to me, guinaveve |
|
|
|
|
Released 6 yrs ago (2/13/2006 UTC) at Fellow BookCrosser in Postal release, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES: Enjoy! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Released 6 yrs ago (5/23/2006 UTC) at Post Office at 153rd and Garrett in Apple Valley, Minnesota -- Controlled Releases WILD RELEASE NOTES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Journal Entry 55 by
|
|
|
|
|
Journal Entry 56 by
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Released 5 yrs ago (9/25/2006 UTC) at controlled release in Postal Mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases WILD RELEASE NOTES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Released 5 yrs ago (5/24/2007 UTC) at Fellow BookCrosser in Postal release, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases WILD RELEASE NOTES:
|
|
|
|
|
Journal Entry 72 by
|
|
|
|
