Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters

I had previously read Sarah Waters' Fingersmith via Jax. I thoroughly enjoyed that book so I was happily looking forward to reading Tipping the Velvet.

I was disappointed. Now, I can't differentiate between the effect of my higher than usual expectations and the actual (not very good) writing but I just didn't like this book.

Yes, it's gender-bending and modern thinking (maybe). But, it felt like a romance novel for lesbians. It read like one of those epic Danielle Steele (yes, I have to admit, I've read my share of her books. this was in my early teens, mind you. so shut up) novels with improbable plot twists but for lesbians.

Does it sound like i'm homophobic? I'm not and I don't wish to come across as one. My emphasis on the book being about lesbians is that that idea is exactly what the book seemed to be touting.

I felt like the book was saying (yes, yes, i know books don't actually speak. i'm not completely silly), "Hey, lookie here! A book about lesbians! How marvellously exciting and ingenious!."

Now the book isn't deplorable or horribly bad but I have to wonder how it made it to my List. It's worst crime is being mediocre. This List has a lot of explaining to do...