Rating: 
Summary: Good god, what a triumph!
Review: When I heard about this book, I thought, "Victorian-era erotica? I don't think so!" But in the end, it turns out that my thirst for totally engrossing, wonderfully entertaining, and incredibly well-written lesbian fiction has at last been quenched. Nearly 500 pages was barely enough of Waters' evocative tale of Nancy Astley, aka Nan King, and her life and times as a newly out "tom" (surely the 19th-century English equivalent of "dyke"), a male-impersonating prostitute, a kept "boy," and finally a self-realizing adult. The sights, smells, sounds, tastes of turn-of-the-century England were so brilliantly captured that I couldn't wait to take the subway somewhere, anywhere, so that I could sit down and read without anyone bothering me! The novel is an erotic and emotional triumph. I can't wait to read Affinity, Waters' next...it's already sitting on my desk. If I haven't raved enough about this book, take my word that it's highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: (3.5) A "Ladies" Guide to Victorian England
Review: I almost decided not to review this first novel by Sarah Waters, as I was quite speechless after finishing it. But having enjoyed AFFINITY, her second novel, I know that Waters is a uniquely talented writer. TIPPING THE VELVET leaves nothing to the imagination, so it's quite a crash course for the uniniated, but certainly worth the effort.In the early 1960's, Harold Robbin's potboiler, THE CARPETBAGGERS, was a source of sexual information, and then some. In much the same way, Waters is fearless as she wades through the lesbian adventures of Victorian England. Nan King propels the reader through an emotional rollercoaster as she embarks upon a career as a music hall entertainer in drag, as well as behind the closed doors of the mansions of wealth and privilege (read: privacy), all with the intensity of new romance and broken hearts. What can I say? I was blushing through most of the book...and I did pass it on to other friends of whatever sexual orientation.
Rating: 
Summary: Different and well written
Review: This is the second of Ms. Waters' books I read. The tale takes many twists and turns, which seems typical of her storytelling. It's not for the faint of heart, as some of the story is quite dreary, and some of it involved things that some people probably don't like to think much about. But it's worth the effort. Ms. Waters is a great writer and pulls you immediately into the era in which the story takes place. If you love historical fiction, then you will be very pleased with the amount of detail and how the book makes those times come alive in your imagination. If you don't care much about historical settings, the tale is still interesting enough to keep you constantly involved in wanting to know what happens next. I rated it a four mostly because of the darker aspects in the book that won't appeal to everyone. But if you feel like taking a bit of a risk, you won't be disappointed, and the ending makes it all worth while.
Rating:
Summary: THE lesbian coming of age story for now
Review: Note - don't read this if you don't want to know the plot of the book in advance. This is a deliberate lesbian coming of age/finding yourself novel - young Nancy, a Whitstable oyster girl (no, that's not the rude bit, even if it sounds like it) finds that she fancies women not men, follows a 'masher' (male impersonator) to the big smoke, ends up on the music hall stage as one herself before fleeing for the streets when she finds her lover sleeping with someone else - and a man no less. She becomes a rent-boy, then the live-in plaything of Diana, a very wealthy widow. Again, she ends up on the streets and finds herself living in the household of social agitator Florence who is - surprise, surprise - a lesbian. They fall in love, overcome differences and potential splits, before heading into the future together. This is improbably Victorian melodrama, with a main protagonist that you can't really like - she is a very annoying character at times. And embarrassingly badly written sex scenes are always such - no matter what the combination. But this is still quite a readable book, even if it is strident in its attempt to be a 'lesbian' story.
Rating:
Summary: What a Fun Read!
Review: My first encounter with this story was through the British TV movie adaptation, and it made me want to read the book. While the movie was enjoyable, the book is an absolutely smashing good yarn and read. It's not Victorian era [censored pictures], but a Dickensian tale of a woman who realises as a teen ager that she's attracted to other woman, specifically one woman, who comes to perform at a theatre near her parents home. She ultimately takes up with this woman and that sets the book's improbable but amusing story in full gallop. Highly enjoyable and immensly readable I recommend this book highly to those readers who know what they are getting into. It's not The Well of Loneliness, but it is much more fun.
Rating:
Summary: Good god, what a triumph!
Review: When I heard about this book, I thought, "Victorian-era erotica? I don't think so!" But in the end, it turns out that my thirst for totally engrossing, wonderfully entertaining, and incredibly well-written lesbian fiction has at last been quenched. Nearly 500 pages was barely enough of Waters' evocative tale of Nancy Astley, aka Nan King, and her life and times as a newly out "tom" (surely the 19th-century English equivalent of "dyke"), a male-impersonating prostitute, a kept "boy," and finally a self-realizing adult. The sights, smells, sounds, tastes of turn-of-the-century England were so brilliantly captured that I couldn't wait to take the subway somewhere, anywhere, so that I could sit down and read without anyone bothering me! The novel is an erotic and emotional triumph. I can't wait to read Affinity, Waters' next...it's already sitting on my desk. If I haven't raved enough about this book, take my word that it's highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: This book is utterly okay...
Review: I admire Sarah Water's style, 19th century Cockney lesbian fiction. In small doses. And yet, I really have little to say about this book except that while you are reading it, it is difficult to put down. The debachary, the sex, the music, the lesbianism all conspire to make it something quite different. That said, it leaves you with a sour taste in your mouth and unsatisfied sigh. There is something very premediated about the whole thing, and like other reviewers have suggested, Sarah Water's main downfall is her desire to create the lesbian novel of the 21st century. Its just that little bit too long to maintain. Infact, I have to wonder how original her other two works are considering they, like this one, are long 19th century Cockney lesbian fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: Just becasue it's erotica, doesn't mean it's good
Review: I am amazed by all the hype surrounding this book. I found it boring and a chore to get through. I really enjoyed the descriptions at the beginning of the book, but it fell apart very soon after. The main character was very unlikable and selfish. I didn't care what happened to her. The "erotic" scenes were poorly written and not enjoyable. I also found the series of events that Nan went through to be totally over-the-top and unbelievable. People in the story often acted out of character to suit situations and move the story forward. I can only guess that people are so taken with the idea of reading lesbian erotica that they fail to pay attention to the actual book. I truly hated it - A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!
Rating:
Summary: Seductive
Review: I loved this book. It was full of illicit love, passion and hardship. It is well written, easy to read and sensitive. If you are homophobic don't read it. It is definately a story of a homosexual nature. But don't be fooled it is a love story of greatness. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: So Real !!!!
Review: I loved this book!!! Tipping the Velvet brings to life what we all experience at the hands of love. Packed with emotion and reality - it is written so well you forget you are reading.
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