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The Essex Serpent

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Set in Victorian England, "The Essex Serpent" by Sarah Perry follows the story of Cora Seaborne, a widow who is determined to forge her own path in a time of changing social norms. The novel intricately weaves together themes of superstition, religion, science, and women's rights, all set against the backdrop of the Victorian era. As Cora navigates her newfound freedom, she becomes entangled in a web of relationships with a diverse cast of characters, from the vicar and his wife to a surgeon and a Marxist assistant. The narrative unfolds in the Essex countryside, where rumors of a mysterious sea serpent add an element of suspense and intrigue to the story.

Characters:

The characters are richly developed, each representing various societal themes such as faith, science, and gender roles, creating a dynamic interplay.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is poetic and evocative, rich with atmospheric details and reflective of Victorian literary traditions.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Cora Seaborne, a widow pursuing her passion for paleontology in Essex, amid local folklore about a mythical serpent, which leads to various interwoven character dynamics and thematic explorations.

Setting:

The setting is evocative of late 19th century Essex, utilizing the natural environment and local folklore to enhance the story's gothic elements.

Pacing:

The pacing is initially slow and character-driven, with a gradual buildup leading to a more engaging climax before concluding neatly.
One o’clock on a dreary day and the time ball dropped at the Greenwich Observatory. There was ice on the prime meridian, and ice on the rigging of the broad-beamed barges down on the busy Thames. Skip...

Notes:

The Essex Serpent is set in the 1890s in the fictional town of Aldwinter, Essex.
The main character, Cora Seaborne, is a widowed paleontologist interested in fossils and nature.
The novel explores themes of science versus religion, as embodied by Cora and the local vicar, Will Ransome.
Cora's son, Francis, is portrayed as an intriguing yet quite unlikeable child, likely reflecting autism traits.
The story includes elements of gothic horror, particularly surrounding the mythical Essex Serpent that causes fear in the community.
The author, Sarah Perry, received significant acclaim for her writing style, which has been described as poetic and lyrical.
The narrative touches on Victorian social issues, including women's rights and the working class struggle.
The characters represent various societal roles, such as Cora as the independent woman, Will as the conflicted clergyman, and Luke Garrett as the ambitious surgeon.
The book also explores personal relationships, with multiple love triangles and friendships that highlight the complexities of human connection.
The atmosphere of the coastal setting plays a crucial role in the story, impacting the characters' feelings and decisions.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of domestic abuse, mental health issues, and illness.

Has Romance?

The book features romantic elements, particularly the complicated relationship dynamics among the main characters.

From The Publisher:

SOON TO BE A TELEVISION ADAPTATION STARRING CLAIRE DANES

A Kirkus Review Best Book of 2017 * A Washington Post Notable Work of Fiction * Winner of the British Book Awards Fiction Book of the Year and overall Book of the Year * Waterstones Book of the Year * Costa Book Award Finalist

"A novel of almost insolent ambition-lush and fantastical, a wild Eden behind a garden gate...it's part ghost story and part natural history lesson, part romance and part feminist parable. I found it so transporting that 48 hours after completing it, I was still resentful to be back home." -New York Times

"An irresistible new novel…the most delightful heroine since Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice." -Washington Post

London, 1893. When Cora Seaborne's brilliant, domineering husband dies, she steps into her new life as a widow with as much relief as sadness: her marriage was an unhappy one, and she never suited the role of society wife. Seeking refuge in fresh air and open space, she leaves the metropolis for coastal Essex, accompanied by her inquisitive and obsessive eleven-year-old son, Francis, and the boy's nanny, Martha, her fiercely protective friend.

Once there, they hear rumors that after nearly three hundred years, the mythical Essex Serpent, a fearsome creature that once roamed the marshes, has returned. When a young man is mysteriously killed on New Year's Eve, the community's dread transforms to terror. Cora, a keen amateur naturalist with no patience for religion or superstition, is immediately enthralled, certain that what locals think is a magical sea beast may be a previously undiscovered species.

Eager to investigate, she is introduced to parish vicar William Ransome, who is equally suspicious of the rumors but for different reasons: a man of faith, he is convinced the alarming reports are caused by moral panic, a flight from the correct and righteous path. As Cora and William attempt to discover the truth about the Essex Serpent's existence, these seeming opposites find themselves inexorably drawn together in an intense relationship that will change both of them in ways entirely unexpected. And as they search for answers, Cora's London past follows her to the coast, with striking consequences.

Told with exquisite grace and intelligence, The Essex Serpent masterfully explores questions of science and religion, skepticism and faith, but it is most of all a celebration of love, and the many different-and surprising-guises it can take.

Ratings (11)

Loved It (4)
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It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (38):

Read It (12)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (20)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (3)
 
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