Fingersmith
A BBC 2 Between the Covers Book Club Pick – Booker Prize Shortlisted
📘 About This Book
From an award-winning author, Fingersmith is an extraordinary, ingenious tale of fraud, insanity and secrets 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 Sue draws breath, her fate is linked to that of another orphan growing up in a gloomy mansion not too many miles away. 'A page turning thriller while managing to be a tender love story' Adam Kay 'Intensely atmospheric, impeccably paced, and cunningly structured' Mail on Sunday 'A chilling, ingenious erotic thriller - unputdownable' Sunday Express 'Long, dark, twisted and satisfying... An unforgettable experience' Julie Myerson, Guardian
📖 Summary
Set in the shadowy and atmospheric underbelly of Victorian London in 1862, Fingersmith is a masterclass in suspense, deception, and unexpected romance. The story follows Sue Trinder, an orphan who has been raised among a close-knit family of petty thieves and pickpockets, affectionately known as fingersmiths, under the rough yet caring supervision of Mrs Sucksby. Sue has known little of the world outside her criminal upbringing, but her life takes a dramatic and fateful turn when she becomes entwined in an elaborate plot of fraud, insanity, and closely guarded secrets. From the very beginning of her life, Sue's fate has been inextricably linked to that of another orphan. While Sue grew up in the gritty, impoverished lanes of London, this other young woman spent her formative years isolated within a gloomy, oppressive mansion not too many miles away. The plot thickens when a charismatic con man, known to the underworld as Gentleman, enters the picture with a scheme so intricate and daring that it requires Sue to act as a maid to the wealthy heiress in the gloomy mansion. The objective is to help Gentleman win the heiress's heart, marry her, institutionalize her, and split her vast inheritance. However, as Sue embeds herself in the heiress's life, the boundaries between the planned deception and reality begin to blur in ways that neither Sue nor Gentleman could have possibly anticipated. Sarah Waters crafts an intensely atmospheric world that captures the grim texture of nineteenth-century London while delivering a narrative structure that is both cunningly plotted and impeccably paced. As the characters navigate a labyrinth of lies, betrayal, and hidden pasts, the novel transforms from a traditional historical thriller into something far richer and more profound. It brilliantly balances the tension of a page-turning crime novel with a deeply tender and moving love story that challenges the characters' loyalties and identities. With its dark twists, shocking revelations, and unforgettable emotional core, Fingersmith invites readers into a labyrinthine journey where nothing is quite as it seems and every secret holds the power to destroy or redeem.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Intensely atmospheric and immersive historical setting
Cunningly structured plot full of unpredictable twists
Combines a high-stakes thriller with a tender love story
Engaging and complex characters with rich backgrounds
⚠️ Cons
The dark themes and subject matter may not suit all readers
The intricate plot requires close attention to follow every twist
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Fingersmith? +
The book was written by award-winning author Sarah Waters.
When is the novel set? +
The story is set in London in the year 1862.
How many pages does this edition have? +
This edition spans 418 pages.
What is Sue Trinder's background? +
Sue is an orphan who grew up among a family of petty thieves, or fingersmiths, under the care of Mrs Sucksby.
What genres does Fingersmith belong to? +
It is primarily classified as fiction, specifically blending historical thriller, romance, and mystery elements.
