Crimson Petal and the White

[mixedmamameansbusiness]

Just started. What did you all think?

Absolutely loved it! It really plays around with your sympathies for all the characters and the insight into the seamier side of Victorian London is interesting.

I suffered through this book a while ago. I enjoyed the story but the writing was dire.

I really loved this book. I thought the character of Sugar was cleverly drawn and it was easy to be drawn into the murky underworld of
Victorian London. I thought it was really well written and researched - not sure the TV series quite worked.

LOVED this book....leant my copy to someone and never got it back (aargh)

Loved it and hadn't seen the TV series. There's a follow up called the apple which was good too.

Enjoy!

Adored it, apart from the ending.

There's a follow-up?

I didn't watch it on TV although I am sure I will afterwards. I feel an addition to my Wishlist coming on - a sequel and the TV series.

I loved it. It took me a while to get into the style of writing but thoroughly enjoyed it. Tv series was ok but not as good as the book. I wasn't sold on the casting choices.

I've met the author a few times and he was telling me about the new book he was writing (before I'd read it.) I said oh what's it about and he says a prostitute in London. I was nodding along and then said oh how did you get the idea for that?
Cue red faces from us both!! He said oh I have a good imagination and I wanted to crawl under the desk in embarrassment!

Haven't read any more of his stuff, has anyone else??

I'm reading this book at the mo and really enjoying it though it is taking an age to get through!!

The characterisation is exceptionally good and, like another poster said, all the characters have their good and bad points.

I can't imagine where the story is going....Sugar has just been installed in her new flat courtesy of William Rackham, whilst Agnes is at home being pathetic!

It is such a rich, multi-faceted novel there's no way any film or tv adaptation could contain it all.

That said, would really like to see the bbc adaptation. I wonder if they portray Sugar's skin condition, methinks not

They did portray Sugar's skin condition in the BBC adaptation, it was done pretty well.

I havent read the book tho.

I really enjoyed this book and have given it as a present to friends as well. It got me into reading other brilliant novels set in Victorian times, like Fingersmith and The Observations.

I hadn't heard of The Apple but will look for it now - thanks

Under the Skin by the same author is excellent. I only heard about it via MN but it`s a really good read.

The Apple is a collection of short stories rather than a full blown sequel.
I have copies of Crimson Petal in paperback, on my Kindle and audiobook .
I did enjoy the TV adaptation but like most adaptations it couldn't capture the complexity of the novel. And I found the guy from the IT Crowd who was playing Rackham had a habit of slipping into his Irish accent from time to time.

My most cherished favourite book. Ever. There are no equals.

TV thing was bit meh though.

I struggled with the Irish guy playing Rackham too but then he did
manage to capture his absolute selfishness really well. I thought Romola Garai was right for Sugar, it's a difficult character to bring to life.

I really enjoyed it until about 4/5 of the way through - then felt the plot lost its way and the ending didn't match up to the rest.

Thought the adaptation was impressive but then Romola Garai could possibly turn me...

I loved this...watched the tv series first and then the book.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Apple too.....I wanted to know more though about the characters!
Romola Garai was gorgeous.