Reviews

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

llrmontgomery's review

mysterious reflective slow-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

3.5

carolyn0613's review against another edition

5.0

This is an amazing book. One of the best I have read in years. I loved the strong female characters, the atmospheric Essex setting and the beautiful detailed descriptions of the old fossils and new surgery. I cannot recommend it more highly.

haniya1's review

slow-paced

3.25

biedermeier_margo's review

emotional hopeful mysterious slow-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

3.5

kate_fuldade's review against another edition

sad slow-paced

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

1.0

aliceing's review

challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Picked this up on a whim in the library and am shocked by how much I enjoyed it! Truly a weird, mysterious, lilting story with people caught off guard by their circumstances and their flaws. I found the pacing pretty fast to be honest, but the writing really flows which adds to that sense. It’s certainly historical fiction but without the extensive, highly detailed imagery/atmosphere that I usually associate with the genre. Will definitely recommend to others and maybe return to on the right fall/winter day. 

caitlinrpowell's review

slow-paced

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

3.0

adalovelace's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

timna_wyckoff's review

4.0

This is totally not my usual kind of book, but.....I really rather liked it :) Listened to the audiobook, for bookclub. I enjoyed every character (a wonderful ensemble!) and really appreciated the medical/science sub-storylines. I've described this to a couple people as "Calpurnia Tate....for grown-ups".

imsosobored's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-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