Tipping the Velvet

Tipping the Velvet is a historical fiction novel written by Sarah Waters and published in 1998. Set in Victorian England, the story follows the journey of Nancy Astley (Nan), a young woman living in the coastal town of Whitstable. Nancy’s life takes an unexpected turn when she falls in love with Kitty Butler, a male impersonator who performs in a local music hall.

Drawn to Kitty’s charm and talent, Nan leaves her humble background behind and joins Kitty on stage as her dresser. As their relationship deepens, Nan realizes her own desires and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and sexual awakening. The two women eventually become lovers and travel to London, where they find success in the city’s underground queer scene.

Nan becomes homesick and takes some time off to go home and spend time with her family. It turns out home isn’t that great and so she returns to London early only to find Kitty in bed with Walter Bliss. Kitty ends their show and declares that she is going to marry Walter.

Shocked, Nan wanders the streets. She goes on her own journey of self-discovery, sometimes dressed as a man, sometimes as a woman. She has a series of relationships with women of different social classes before eventually settling down with a socialist activist named Florence. Nan ends up jumping on stage during a rally where Kitty sees her. Kitty invites Nan to come back with her as her secret lover. Nan refuses Kitty and chooses to pursue a life with Florence. 

Although Kitty is depicted as a manipulative and inconstant bi character,Tipping the Velvet, remains a very fun queer read. It was adapted into a three part series by the BBC in 2002.