Sneaker Fox's Fingersmith Review... In a Word..Lovely

I finished Fingersmith this weekend, and it was great. Sarah Waters is a genius when it comes to dialogue. She captures so much detail and feeling in her dialogue, which really makes this book fly by. I don't know what I was expecting from my first Sarah Waters novel, but I was not expecting such a thrilling second half! The first half is heartwarming and insightful, while the second half is extremely fast paced and thrilling. The plot twists come suddenly and are suprising. I was blind sighted, which does not happen that often. I can't wait to read more books by this author.
The author was born in 1966 and has to date written a total of 4 novels. Her other works include Tipping the Velvet, Affinity, and her newest novel The Night Watch. She has been awarded much critical acclaim for all of her novels both from mainstream media and from the gay and lesbian comunity.
Bottom line.. I can't wait to read her other novels and can only hope they are as detailed and beautiful as Fingersmith. You will love it!

Sources used:
http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth03a23o034012634831

http://www.sarahwaters.com/biog.htm

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters - December Selection

December's book club selection will be Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. In searching for suitable books for our club I explored reading lists online. Fingersmith was on the Orange Prize for Fiction's "50 Essential Reads by Contemporary Authors". This list oddly enough contained last months selection as well :). http://www.listsofbests.com/list/99

I'm excited about this months selection, and I am sure it will lead to some lively and opinionated discussions!!

Booklist review from Amazon.com:
From Booklist
Waters' third novel, set in Victorian England, opens when Sue Trinder, an orphan raised by a band of thieves, is recruited by Richard Rivers, a con man known as Gentleman, to help him in his quest to marry Maud Lilly, an heiress living in isolation in the country with her eccentric uncle. Maud stands to inherit a small fortune when she marries, and Gentleman intends to marry her, steal her inheritance, and imprison her in a madhouse. Sue agrees to pose as a maid to Maud and to gain her confidence. But Sue finds Maud sweet and trusting, and, to her surprise, she begins to fall in love with Maud and have serious misgivings about Gentleman's plan. But Sue only knows a small part of the scheme, and it will affect both her and Maud in ways she does not realize. The intricate plotting and startling revelations will keep the reader enthralled, rapidly turning the pages to get to the exciting conclusion. Waters' gripping, engrossing thriller would make the Victorian master of suspense, Wilkie Collins, proud. Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Amazing Read!

AMAZING BOOK. My plan this week was to only get through the part I needed to be able to participate in the live chat, but I could not stop. It probably didn't help I had 2 days off in a row in which I could read most of the day. :) The second section is probably my favorite. It is definitely the I-can't-put-you-down-you're-so-good section. LOVE IT!

Okay, question though. I still don't understand the huge problem churches have due to it's "Atheist nature". It really didn't have an atheist nature. It was more like an "organized religion blows, but there is a God" type theme. I guess in that nature I could see how religious groups had issues with it. It very much made the church into the bad guy, lemming creator. Honestly, what's so wrong with atheism, though?

My all-time favorite thing about this book, though, is it's ability to stretch the imagination. It gives just enough details to let you imagine what's going on, how people act, and how this world functions, but not so much that you can't create them in your own way. Having watched the movie, as well, made me able to put voices with the characters in my head, which is always fun. :)

I dunno, what do you guys think?

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman - November Selection

For the opening book of the Secondhand Book Club, we are going to read The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. It is the first book in the His Dark Materials series and is shadowed by controversy with the opening of the film last year.

Synopsis from book cover:
Lyra Belacqua is content to run wild among the scholars in Jordan Collage, her dæmon familiar always by her side. But the moment she hears hushed talk of Dust, an extraordinary particle, she's drawn to the heart of a terrible struggle—a struggle born of Gobblers and stolen children, witch clans and armored bears. And as she hurtles toward danger in the cold, far North, young Lyra never suspects the shocking truth: her destiny must be fulfilled not in this world, but far beyond.

Editorial reviews:
"Extraordinary storytelling at its very best." —Detroit Free Press

"The Golden Compass is one of the best fantasy/adventure stories that I have read. This is a book no one should miss." —Terry Brooks

"As always, Pullman is a master at combining impeccable characterizations and seamless plotting, maintaining a crackling pace to create scene upon scene of almost unbearable tension. This glittering gem will leave readers of all ages eagerly awaiting the next installment of Lyra's adventures." —Publishers' Weekly