A review by darumachan
The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

emotional inspiring mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This one is a bit of a mystery for me. I read the audiobook, and often caught my mind wandering while listening. Usually if this happens, it's a sign that I'm not enjoying the book, but not so with the Essex Serpent. The pace is very slow, to be sure, and the plot and POV are constantly drifting and meandering, kind of like how I imagine Cora to be while on her long walks. Maybe that's what I enjoyed about this: the prose matched the setting and atmosphere so perfectly. It was almost like a meditation, where it's ok if you get off track or space out a little, as long as you just keep coming back. 

Another thing that I enjoyed about this is that it read as including subtle but solidly affirming  representation of LGBTQIA+ identities, disability, and neurodiversity. While i wouldn't say that there is direct or overt engagement with these identities, there were several characters who clearly identified as "queer" in the sense of being out of step with mainstream social expectations of the time. What was so lovely about these characters is that they found one another and formed an inclusive community in which they could live and be supported and loved not just in spite of, but because of the traits that made them "quirky" or "misfits" in other contexts. Things i noticed included possible autism spectrum, lesbian, gay, asexual, aromamtic, and polyamory. But again, nothing overtly identified, which only read as more authentic to the setting. 
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