 Tipping the Velvet was critically acclaimed upon its release and Waters ' writing style highly praised . Harriet Malinowitz wrote that the story is an " utterly captivating , high octane narrative " and Mel Steel of The Independent wrote , " Could this be a new genre ? The bawdy lesbian picaresque novel ? Whatever it is , take it with you . It 's gorgeous . " Kirkus Reviews also praised it , writing " Waters ' debut offers terrific entertainment : swiftly paced , crammed with colorful depictions of 1890s London and vividly sketched Dickensian supporting characters " , comparing the depiction of Nancy 's parents to the fishing community in David Copperfield , and adding that it " <unk> [ es ] with highly charged ( and explicitly presented ) erotic heat " . John Perry in The San Francisco Chronicle stated that it " has the qualities of an extravagantly upholstered armchair . Tricked out in gaudy fabric and yards of fringe , it offers a sensual experience that leaves the reader marveling at the author 's craftsmanship , idiosyncrasy and sheer effort . " Perry did acknowledge , however , that modern optimism was probably the impetus driving Waters ' vision of a lesbian past . 
