The Crimson Petal and the White Audiobook (Unabridged)

" Read at least 10 years ago but a forever favorite! "

" 900 pages of descriptive narrative of what life was like in Victorian England told from the perspective of Miss Sugar, a prostitute who becomes the mistress of and then a governess in the household of Mr. William Rackham, a loutish perfume magnate. It is difficult to tell from the author's descriptions of the manners and mores of the various characters presented just who exactly are the true "ladies and gentlemen" of English society. "

" Fascinating, 21st century candour and 19th century prudishness brought together through the behaviour of men and the women of the sex trade. Not my favourite type of book, I couldn't relate to any of the characters, not one really appealing personality, but I read every page. "

" GUTG at page 180. I probably would have stuck this out if it weren't 800-plus pages. That's a big commitment, and one I wasn't prepared to make. Having just finished Under the Skin, I admire Faber's range as a writer, but this just wasn't my thing. For whatever reason, I've never been able to find the Victorians fascinating, and his head-meet-anvil, wink wink nudge nudge narration of their absurdity, hypocrisy, et al, et al, quickly became grating. "

" Good story, can't wait for the 2nd one. "

" LOVED it-another staple on my bookshelf "

" I tried pushing through page by page but I found it difficult to get through. The book's story seemed really promising but I really just couldn't finish it. Perhaps I'll try reading this book again. In the meantime, I'm going to rate this book a single star. "

" Well. "

" People raved about this, but I found it unreadable. I switched to book on tape to finish it and still hated it. I usually love period pieces but this didn't have a single sympathetic character. "

" It was an interesting read. A Victorian tragedy with some hope at the end for Sugar. I was hooked. "

" It was a very long book, and I enjoy a lot of it, immensely. Other parts, including the concluding 200 or so pages, not so much. "

" The review for this is on its way! Give me some time to settle and organize my thoughts! "

" This book is raw. There aren't flowery words to explain away the grit and horror that lies within. But the story is gripping, if a little slow moving, and for that the pages devoted to chamber pots can be forgiven. "

" Brilliant, best book I've read in the last twelve months. "

" It was too long for me - towards the end I started to skim out of want to just get the thing done and read. But overall, enjoyed the story, it's very real and has all of the classic tropes of historical fiction that I love. "

" I really enjoyed this book. I was a little dissapointed that it took 500+ pages before stuff began to happen, but what can you do? "

" Amazing. I want to read it again and again! "

" It was well-written, informative but so unflinchingly depressing that I stopped reading it after I had read about a third of it. I don't necessarily need my history sugar-coated, but this book was just bad for my mental health. "

" Haven't finished yet. It gets really good and just as quickly becomes hard to keep reading. "

" Right from the start, very catchy. Second Person, is very rare in literature style. My professor said it is not, because students always write "you, you, you!" in their papers. Yet, it is rare to find a book that speaks to you! "

" I didn't finish the book...even though it was uniquely written I didn't like it. "

" This book was impossible to put down. "

" writing style is readable, but 800+ pages for a rather loooong drawn out ride to no where wasn't entertaining enough to be worth it! Historical fiction not my thing perhaps.... "

" One of the best books I have ever read - hands down! Couldn't put it down, so intriguing and addictive. Unfortunately all other books by this author are kind of weird - don't live up to this book at all. "

" I'm currently enjoying this book. It is a huge change from my normal novels, but it's a good change. I'm hoping it turns out to be just as good all of the way through. After watching the television adaption, I felt that I should read the book. "

" I didn't feel like I enjoyed this one as I read it but it sticks with me nearly 5 years later so I must have gotten something out it. For example, I still know how 19th century London prostitutes prevented pregnancy. Shudder. "

" Slow to start but I found that I was quickly pulled into the story. I now want to know what happens next to the main characters. "

" This is a very long book that I did NOT want to end, so that is saying something about how much I loved it. Right from the beginning the author invites you in to that historical world where women are either delicate flowers or whores. "

" Love, love, LOVE this book. "

" An all time favourite, can't wait to see the mini-series. "