Sarah Waters's debut novel is an extraordinary coming-of-age novel, and not only because it is set in Victorian England with a title which is an euphemism for cunnilingus. Tipping the Velvet chronicles the transformation of Nancy Astley, daughter of an oyster-parlour family, when she becomes smitten with the male impersonating singer "masher" Kitty Butler and follows her to London as her dresser -- and eventually partner in the music-hall act and secret lover. When her first love is dashed, she begins a path into more gender-bending activities as Nan King: first as a renter, then a 'kept boy' of a mistress in Sapphic decadence, before an "out" lifestyle among the progressive set.

It's not just the erotic content or the risque lifestyle which draws the reader in, but rather the complete honesty and openness with which Nan(cy) tells her tale. There is no shame in her consciousness as she relates the range of emotions she experienced during her adventures. Waters brings different slices of Victorian life into a crisp focus with the details and lush language she uses to cast this often-perceived-as prim and proper era into a different and dazzling light.