Basically, this book, Sarah Waters, Tipping the Velvet is amazing. It is hard to believe this is Sarah Waters' first book; she is such a confident and vivid writer and anyone who reads this book will not be disappointed. It has everything in it: love, lust, sex and the harsh realities that women in the 19th century faced. It is an addictive read that will leave you thinking about it long after you have finished reading it. Its storyline is gripping and the ending is beautiful, albeit a little sad. However, in some parts of the book the story tends to drag a little but the vast majority of it will leave you both laughing and crying, and maybe even identifying with the main character, Nancy.
In short, this is a truly magnificent read and I would recommend it to anyone. Sarah Waters is a brilliant writer; the story is easy to get into but extremely hard to put down once you have started. However, read the book before you watch the film or you may be left a little disappointed.