A euphemism for “cunnilingus”, the Victorian England-set Tipping the Velvet-exploring 18-year-old Nan’s infatuation with Kitty, a male impersonator whose mix of masculine, feminine and the worlds in between proves irresistible-is fantastically erotic. Also common in the would-be canon: explosive depictions of sex, usually all the more satisfying because the characters face agonising obstacles getting to and/or having it.
