by John Louie Ramos

Created on: May 22, 2010

The Fingersmith is a Victorian-inspired novel written by renowned writer/storyteller Sarah Waters. The novel depicts the cruel nature of deception, sufferings, treachery and pain. Waters perfectly blends the elements of man's dark passions, historical fiction and Victorian picaresque to come up with this exemplary literary piece.

The novel revolves around the lives of Sue Trinder and Maud Lily both are orphans but each has a different and distinct form of misfortunes. Sue was raised among thieves by a caring and adoptive mother Mrs. Sucksby while Maud was a wealthy heiress. However, despite the vast riches, Maud's life was full of sufferings, she was worked hard each day at his uncle's library of pornographic literature. On one occasion, she described the nature of her work as; "I was bred to the task, as servants are."

In the early part of the story, Sue met an ambitious Richard 'Gentleman' Rivers who had orchestrated a planned to marry Maud and confine her into a madhouse. Sue agrees to take part in the plot and in return she will receive a share of Maud's inheritance.

However, unknown to Sue, Rivers also talked to Maud and reveal a similar plan of marriage but with a different end - to confine Sue to a madhouse. Maud because of her wanting to get out of her uncle's estate agrees to the plan.

Waters crafted a genuine treachery, worthy of praise and affirmation.

Both Sue and Maud played their roles well. However, in the process, they fell in love with each other. Now, the two girls reluctantly pushed for their own part on River's plan. The wedding was arranged but at the madhouse, Sue was presented as Maud Liliy and Maud as Sue Trinder. Hence, Sue was the one who had been put into exile at the madhouse.

Sue was devastated and angered by the double-crossing. Her love for Maud was instantly transformed to hate. The latter part of the story reveals the secret between the identities of the two "orphans."

Maud was the real daughter of Mrs. Sucksby while Sue was the real heiress, the daughter of Marianne Liliy. Seventeen years ago, Marianne initiated the "switching" of the babies, because she knew that her cruel father will abuse her daughter. In return, both girls will be given a fair share of the Liliy inheritance.

Mrs. Shucksby was the mastermind of the plot.

Maud was shocked with the revelation. In the meantime, Sue half-mad because of the deception escaped with the help of a certain Charles. In the end, the secrets were revealed. In a confrontation, Rivers was stabbed and killed.

Mrs. Sucksby, the caring mother that she is, blamed herself and was put into trial eventually being hanged to death. Maud and Sue, despite of all the things that happened, make peace and freely vent their feelings toward each other.

In what was one of her greatest work, Waters relate a story common to all of us - a story of sweet bitterness. This novel along with the masterfully crafted Tipping the Velvet, were undoubtedly Water's greatest works.

Waters has the ability to captivate her readers. Her genuine way of story telling is impressive and the full extent of the personal connection she endowed in her readers was quite unique. 

The novel covers the sinister nature of human soul. It gives us an outward look of our inner precepts and our profound understanding of things. Fingersmith means petty thief hence, the novel is quite right "We were all more or less thieves."

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