A review by aliceing
The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

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.