Reviews

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

jebus's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

shimmery's review against another edition

5.0

In the last decade of the 19th century Cora finds herself widowed and happier than ever. Moving with her son to Essex, for the first time she can do whatever she wants (which is mainly fossil hunting in men's clothes and eating a lot of cake).

In the village there is rumours of a serpent who comes in on the estuary and kills whatever is left out after dark. The story follows the village's inhabitants and Cora's acquaintances and all things felt but not seen.

Poetic, fun and clever, this book deserves every bit of praise it has got. It is really a beautiful read and the characters are all fantastic - the narrative is driven by them rather than the plot. It of course couldn't be a neo Victorian novel without the presence of a huge amount of desire, and this is handled expertly. The whole thing ties together really well without the the ending feeling contrived.

There's no excuse to read bad books if you haven't got round to this one yet.

kathrynjbrand's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

rbouwmeester's review against another edition

2.0

De gemiddelde email op werk heeft een beter plot en meer boeiende karakters dan dit boek.
2

commeunemadeleine's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

phoebegrwr's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.25

chaoticfall's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Would've preferred it if Cora and Martha were a couple, because it felt like it would go in that direction at certain points. (Not why I'm rating it 3.5 btw)

jennazim's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Terminal illness

fruitkate's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

notsailingalone's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, Child death, Terminal illness, and Injury/Injury detail