Highly enjoyable read, chronicling the life of a gay oyster girl who briefly becomes a success on the stage before her world turns to custard. The characterisation, I thought, was mostly excellent - Kitty is particularly believable - and I appreciate that it doesn't sink into over-sentimentality. On that note, I really love the ending, and how it doesn't fall into the trope where the first and most consuming romance is always the best. The relationship between Nan and Florence is built in another way entirely, and I liked Florence so I'm glad she wasn't thrown over.

I do think the story sagged a bit, became a bit less believable, in the middle. I didn't find the whole Diana stretch particularly convincing; the story and the characters seem much more credible when they're in working class neighbourhoods. Waters captures those very well, whereas her depictions of wealthier communities seemed far more stereotypical and one-note.