Fingersmith by Sarah Waters Summary
Overview of Fingersmith
In Victorian London's criminal underworld, Sarah Waters' award-winning thriller weaves deception, desire, and shocking betrayals. Named #14 on The Guardian's "100 best books of 21st century," this masterpiece earned more "book of the year" honors in 2002 than any other novel. What twisted secrets await?
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Key takeaways
A Tale of Deception in the Shadows of Victorian London
In the grimy streets of 1860s London, a young woman named Susan Trinder has grown up among thieves and con artists. Orphaned as an infant when her mother was hanged, Sue has been raised by Mrs. Sucksby, a "baby farmer" who abandoned her criminal enterprise to focus solely on raising Sue. Their home on Lant Street serves as headquarters for a small criminal family specializing in stolen goods. Sue's fingers are nimble-perfect for picking pockets and cleaning stolen jewelry-but her heart remains innocent despite her surroundings. Everything changes when a gentleman con artist known as "Richard Rivers" arrives with an elaborate scheme. His plan seems simple: Sue will pose as a lady's maid to Maud Lilly, a wealthy heiress living with her scholarly uncle at a country estate called Briar. Sue's job is to encourage Maud to fall in love with Rivers, who will marry her, claim her fortune, and then commit her to a madhouse. For her part in this deception, Sue is promised three thousand pounds-wealth beyond her wildest dreams. What could be simpler? A few months' work, a vulnerable mark, and a fortune to split. Yet as Sue steps into Briar's shadow, she enters a world where nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted-especially those closest to her heart.
The House of Secrets and Gloves
When Deception Becomes Desire
The Asylum's Cruel Embrace
The Tangled Web Unravels
Sacrifice and Redemption
Finding Truth in a World of Lies
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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