Tipping the Velvet: A Novel

“Erotic and absorbing…Written with startling power.”—The New York Times Book Review
 
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.

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Published May 1, 2000

481 pages

Average rating: 7.62

42 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

CheriF
Sep 25, 2025
8/10 stars
Doing a re-listen.

I still very much enjoy this book. Even though Nancy is mostly super selfish and naive through nearly all of it. Florence makes up for it all.

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