Tipping the Velvet
Published in 1998, Tipping the Velvet is a gay fiction and sapphic fiction play by Sarah Waters and Juanita McMahon. The story is set in England and Great Britain, in the 19th century. Readers will find themes of female impersonators, gay men, lesbians and relations with lesbians.
Open Library readers give it an average of 3.9 out of 5 from 13 ratings, and 147 more have it on their want-to-read list. It has been published in 22 editions across 3 languages.
It runs to roughly 480 pages — 8–9 hours of reading at an average pace.
About Tipping the Velvet
Nan King, an oyster girl, is captivated by the music hall phenomenon Kitty Butler, a male impersonator extraordinaire treading the boards in Canterbury. Through a friend at the box office, Nan manages to visit all her shows and finally meet her heroine. Soon after, she becomes Kitty's dresser and the two head for the bright lights of Leicester Square where they begin a glittering career as music-hall stars in an all-singing and dancing double act. At the same time, behind closed doors, they admit their attraction to each other and their affair begins.
Awards & lists
- 🏆Lambda Literary Awards 2000 — Lesbian Fiction (winner)
Quick answers
Who wrote Tipping the Velvet?
Tipping the Velvet was written by Sarah Waters and Juanita McMahon and first published in 1998.
What genre is Tipping the Velvet?
It is usually shelved as Gay Fiction, Lesbian & Sapphic Fiction, Victorian-Era Fiction and Historical Fiction.
How long is Tipping the Velvet?
The median edition has 480 pages, about 8–9 hours of reading at 250 words per minute.
What books are similar to Tipping the Velvet?
Readers who like it often enjoy The Picture of Dorian Gray, The River Knows and Second Sight.
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