Fingersmith

[starrylizard]

So, I've seen Tipping the Velvet a few times, but for some reason I never watched the other mini-series that came with it. Not a deliberate thing, I just have a bazillion DVDs I've bought that I need to watch sometime.

Anyway, I rectified that over the last two days. Oh my, I have never been so glued to a period drama. It mentions Dickensian London on the back of the box, which I thought was referring to the period... but oh gosh, it meant it twists and turns and rips your heart out like a Dickens novel.

This is TEN TIMES better than Tipping the Velvet. The subtle romance, the betrayals, the gloves (Between Sherlock and this, I think I have discovered some strange glove kink), the horrible people twisting their lives... *clutches heart*

It has none of the course humour that I find a bit disconcerting at times in TtV either.

I haven't wanted to yell so much at the screen since watching North & South with my Dad. "No Margaret, John loves you! Arrrgh." *cough*

Too romantic. If it hadn't ended how it did, I would have been a blubbering mess. Thank goodness for proper endings.

Five stars from me. *****

Comments

[kittysorceress.livejournal.com]

I *love* Fingersmith. I saw it much before I saw Tipping the Velvet and it's certainly my favourite of the two. I much prefer it's original book to TtV as well.

Have you seen Affinity? It's the other BBC production based on a Sarah Waters novel of the same ilk.

Ugh! After my exam tomorrow, I'm rewatching these. You've given me a Craving.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

No I had no idea there were more of them. Affinity you say? I shall seek it out on Amazon today. I can't imagine reading the books. I think I'd die in a puddle from the suspense before I made it through.

I have real trouble watching episode 2 of Tipping the Velvet. It's just not titillating at all for me and the humour kind of annoys me, especially on rewatches, so I tend to fast forward or just skip straight to 3. I do love the vaudeville and the romance in it though.

I have no idea why I hadn't watched Fingersmith before this though. They came in the same box and all. *hands* And it's far more my thing. So romantic you forget to breathe and the betrayal. I just about hit the telly at the end of episode 1. Holy plot twist sent to kill me. :D

[kittysorceress.livejournal.com]

I picked up my copy of Affinity at Electric Shadows about a year ago, so it is available in a region 4 distribution if you're interested. It's a shorter one as well, just 90 minutes.

For TtV, I have difficulty with the very end of episode one and the start of episode two, as I had the misfortune to watch them during a very nasty breakup after a girlfriend had cheated on me. Maybe that's my problem with the whole thing. I don't know. I just found the whole thing not as captivating as Fingersmith.

The book of Fingersmith is really very worthwhile. You get even more of the kjskdddaslkjfklafhsakjlf than you do with the miniseries. It's AMAZING.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

I just found the whole thing not as captivating as Fingersmith.
THIS! It is designed I think to be titillating, not captivating. Different audience in mind perhaps. Although I still enjoy it, especially the bits with Nan and Flo realising their love and the ending where she tosses the rose to the right girl. I'm just an old romantic at heart. :)

The book of Fingersmith is really very worthwhile. You get even more of the kjskdddaslkjfklafhsakjlf than you do with the miniseries. It's AMAZING.
Maybe I can pick up the book one day too then. My reading list is a mile long and I read waaaay slowly these days, so the mini-series was the faster option for a first go. You make me want to read it though.

[connikins.livejournal.com]

I read both books before seeing the TV dramas and so I feel like I probably liked Tipping the Velvet better because I liked the book better? (Also there is Surprise!Cumberbatch)

But you are so so right with the glove costume porn.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

I wondered about the book. It feels like something that would maybe work better in a book, especially the bits I wasn't as fond of. Books let you get so much more into the mind of the character. I wish I could read quickly like I used to as a spring chicken. I used to literally finish a book in a couple of days. Now I never seem to get the time.

I have made a resolution to do more reading though, so you never know. I may get to it one day. :)

Oh the gloves. Seriously. *tingles* They need their own icon. :)

[dragonflylady77.livejournal.com]

Hee glove!kink FTW!

ETA LJ posted my comment before I was ready!

I think I've seen bits of TtV. Never heard of Fingersmith though.

Proper endings = &hearts

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Tipping the Velvet is naughty and romantic and hilarious in turns, but parts of it bore me to tears on re-watches.

Incidentally, the way to make an entire table of people go quiet and stare at you is to mention the words "lesbian period romance". lol

[dragonflylady77.livejournal.com]

*points to icon*

[boom-queen.livejournal.com]

*waves* hi, pardon my friending spree :D

Fingersmith is my favorite of all times! I love Tipping the Velvet and Affinity too, but Fingersmith is the best (both the miniseries and the book). I think it's the tightest storyline. Tipping the Velvet is great but it jumps all over the place. Fingersmith just sucks you in with each plot twist and the gorgeousness of the characters/romance. Best lesbian gothic ever!

Speaking of, you MUST see charmax's Fingersmith vid if you haven't already. So good!

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Ooh thanks for the rec. I'll be checking that out right away.

Lesbian gothic - is that the name of the genre? I have to admit to simply stumbling on to my copy of Tipping the Velvet and Fingersmith and bought them mostly because it had a pretty cover, was made by the BBC and there was Keeley Hawes in one of them. I'm so very glad I did though. I honestly haven't seen anything like them before. :D

Annnd welcome to the madness that is my LJ. :D