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Fingersmith cover art

Fingersmith

By: Sarah Waters
Narrated by: Juanita McMahon
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Editor reviews

Fingersmith is the dazzling audiobook written by Sarah Waters and narrated by the ever-popular Juanita McMahon. This is the enigmatic story of the fingersmith’s, working their way through the pockets and purses of 1862 London. It is a curious look at their lives told through the eyes of a young girl growing up among them. She has been unwittingly set on a path since her birth that is as mysterious as the family who care for her and the young orphan living nearby that she can't help but feel a connection with. This story is enchanting as much as it is suspenseful. Available now from Audible.

Summary

London 1862: Sue Trinder, orphaned at birth, grows up among petty thieves - fingersmiths - under the rough but loving care of Mrs Sucksby and her 'family'. But from the moment she draws breath, Sue's fate is linked to that of another orphan growing up in a gloomy mansion not too many miles away.

©2002 Sarah Waters (P)2002 W F Howes Ltd

The Pride List of Queer Storytelling

To mark Pride 2023 Audible teamed up with non-profit organisation, Out on the Page, supporter and champion of LGBTQIA+ writers and writing, to release an extensive Pride List of Queer Storytelling. Featuring contributions from some of the UK’s most important and exciting voices from the LGBTQIA+ community, this audiobook is one of the many featured on the list that is available to listen to on Audible.

Critic reviews

"Sarah Waters is one of the best storytellers alive today " Matt Thorne, ( Independent on Sunday)
"Intensely atmospheric, impeccably paced, and cunningly structured, this is that rarity in contemporary fiction: a deeply serious novel that is also a thumping great read" Douglas Kennedy, ( Mail on Sunday)

What listeners say about Fingersmith

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Brilliant!

If you could sum up Fingersmith in three words, what would they be?

clever, gripping, enjoyable

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

She is one of the best narrators I have listened too (and I have listened to 1000's of audiobooks) she really brought all the characters to life and has a beautiful voice. I wlll be buying more books narrated by her!

Any additional comments?

I have listened to all Sarah Waters books now and all are absolutely brilliant, and coupled with such an excellent narrator they make very gripping reads! I thoroughly recommend!

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22 people found this helpful

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Very well read, brilliant story.

Lovely listen, fantastic reader, gripping storyline. Overall, time well spent. If you want a book representative of Victorian England, this is definitely worth it!

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Intriguing, surprising and engaging story

I’ve only recently discovered this fine novelist through reading her book The Paying Guests. Fingersmith is an earlier novel but has the same strengths of strong characterisation, pacy story with surprises along the way.

The narrator is outstandingly good as she made the book sound more like a drama as she brought the various players to life with her fine ability to create different voices.

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12 people found this helpful

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beautifully written, beautifully read

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

I think this to be Sarah Waters finn st book to date, her amazing descriptions of Victorian London and asylum life are so vivid and the fast paced plot carries you on an amazing journey. Exploring the fragile nature of identites based on ones ancestors and the mutability of human nature, how two main characters change and grown through the story. It is a great book, beautifuly written

What did you like best about this story?

The opening descriptions of the house in london.

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12 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Excellent narration of very good novel

This was the first Sarah Waters book I have read, chosen because recent newspaper reviews deemed it one of her best. There certainly was much to like: an original plot, convincing central characters and a definite Dickensian quality to the cast of minor crooks, liars and perverts.

It is generally a well paced novel and the narrator does an excellent job of sustaining atmosphere.

Recommended , particularly for those who want a longer listen.

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9 people found this helpful

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very enjoyable!

I couldn't stop listening! Great story and a brilliant narrator. Accessible Dickens, gripping and well paced for a good, long listen.

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9 people found this helpful

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Perfect.

Just brilliant.
I loved the narrator who brought the characters to life.
The story was very Dickensian and completely unpredictable.

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9 people found this helpful

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Olivia Twist

As I listened to the first few chapters, my initial thoughts were pessimistic. A couple of Artful Dodgers attending an actual play of Oliver Twist? Unsubtle, I grumbled. Returning to the Fagin-esque inhabitants of the robber's den? Uninspired, I huffed.

But then the plot started to thicken.

This is a dual-perspective tale of deception set in a fairly clichéd Victorian London and the countryside nearby. The main character, Sue, is a fingersmith, brought up in the poorer part of London to a hodgepodge family of thieves and swindlers. As the hallowed 'scam to make their fortunes' is plotted, Sue finds herself learning how to be maid to a lady, her co-protagonist, Maud.

To reveal more would be a disservice, as the twists and turns throughout are part of what make this tale so enjoyable. The characters, while dredging Victorian conventions, are a colourful bunch and I loved and hated my way through them. Juanita McMahon's narration is superb, if a little "gor blimey gov'nor", and she creates an absorbing atmosphere with emotionally powerful characters.

At almost 24 hours, however, Fingersmith is slightly too long, and at times I did let frustration spoil my constant enjoyment when arguments went over the same ground, over and over (Maud, I'm looking at you). But this is a fairly minor criticism as by the end I found myself not wanting to leave Waters' world and I'll happily return for a revisit in the future.

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5 people found this helpful

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Absolutely brilliant!

I love this book. Whether it's as a paper copy or Audio. Fantastic twists and turns

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3 people found this helpful

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Brilliant!

My favourite book... I read it when it was first published: this Audible version is fabulous. Wonderful narration.

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3 people found this helpful