Tipping The Velvet

Intelligent, witty and stylish, the novel re-imagines a lost lesbian history through vivid sensual detail, evocative period slang (the title is a sexual euphemism) and a satisfyingly complex plot * Independent *
Waters is an extremely confident writer, combining precise, sensuous descriptions with irony and wit. This is a lively, gutsy, highly readable debut * Observer *
An unstoppable read, a sexy and picaresque romp through the lesbian and queer demi-monde of the roaring Nineties. Imagine Jeanette Winterson on a good day collaborating with Judith Butler to pen a Sapphic Moll Flanders. It's gorgeous * Independent on Sunday *
This could be the most important debut of its kind since that of Jeanette Winterson * Daily Telegraph *
An extremely confident writer, combining precise, sensuous descriptions with irony and wit in a skilled, multi-layered pastiche of the lesbian historical romance -- Christina Patterson * Observer *
Erotic and absorbing... Written with startling power * New York Times Book Review *
Wonderful... a sensual experience that leaves the reader marveling at the author's craftsmanship, idiosyncrasy, and sheer effort * San Francisco Chronicle *
Compelling... readers of all sexes and orientations should identify with this gutsy hero as she learns who she is and how to love * Newsday *
Delectable... written in roguishly lilting prose filled with the sights, sounds and stenches of London street life * Seattle Times *
Glorious... an exceptional debut * Boston Globe *
Richly entertaining... Waters's debut offers terrific entertainment: swiftly paced, crammed with colorful depictions of 1890s London and vividly sketched Dickensian supporting characters, pulsating with highly charged (and explicitly presented) erotic heat * Kirkus *
This lush tale fearlessly and feverishly exposes the political, social and sexual subversions of Victorian-era gender-benders: sapphists, libertines and passing women... Waters is a masterful storyteller... Nancy's search for love and identity is a raucous, passionate adventure and a rare, thrilling read * Publishers Weekly *