Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary

Part One of Fingersmith is comprised of Sue's memory of the events related in the book. It is written in Sue's voice and from her point of view. In the opening paragraph, the reader learns that Susan Trinder grew up in the home of Mrs. Sucksby, proprietress of a "baby farm," because she had been orphaned when her mother was hanged for murder. The other residents of the household are young thieves and a locksmith named Mr. Ibbs. Mr. Ibbs, in fact, deals in stolen goods.

Sue relates her memory of a series of events that occurred when she was 5 or 6 years old. She had been taken by a thief to beg at a local theatre. The girl took Sue into the theater for a performance of "Oliver Twist." Sue was terrified by the play, not knowing the difference, at that...