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of
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The Essex Serpent
from the Booker-longlisted author of Enlightenment
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 67,759 ratings, 8,544 reviews)
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Format: Paperback / softback
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See more2016's literary sensation, a thrilling and unforgettable historical novel of love and intrigue now out in paperback.
The literary sensation and Waterstones Book of the Year: a thrilling and unforgettable historical novel of love and intrigue now out in paperback
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Description
The number one bestseller and British Book Awards Book of the Year
London 1893. When Cora Seaborne's controlling husband dies, she steps into her new life as a widow with as much relief as sadness. Along with her son Francis—a curious, obsessive boy—she leaves town for Essex, in the hope that fresh air and open space will provide refuge.
On arrival, rumours reach them that the mythical Essex Serpent, once said to roam the marshes claiming lives, has returned to the coastal parish of Aldwinter. Cora, a keen amateur naturalist with no patience for superstition, is enthralled, convinced that what the local people think is a magical beast may be a yet-undiscovered species. As she sets out on its trail, she is introduced to William Ransome, Aldwinter's vicar, who is also deeply suspicious of the rumours, but thinks they are a distraction from true faith.
As he tries to calm his parishioners, Will and Cora strike up an intense relationship, and although they agree on absolutely nothing, they find themselves at once drawn together and torn apart, affecting each other in ways that surprise them both.
The Essex Serpent is a celebration of love, and the many different shapes it can take.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry is lauded as a captivating blend of Gothic and Victorian elements, drawing comparisons to classics by Dickens and Stoker. Critics praise its lush prose, rich character development, and vivid evocation of both landscape and period. The novel explores themes of science, faith, and love with originality and depth, making it a charming and intellectually engaging read.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781781255452
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 20 April 2017
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Serpent's Tail
Edition: Main
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 26.0mm
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 194.0mm
Weight: 342g
Pages: 448
Collections
About the Author
Sarah Perry was born in Essex in 1979. She has a PhD in creative writing from Royal Holloway, and has been the writer in residence at the Gladstone Library and the UNESCO World City of Literature Writer in Residence in Prague. Her first novel, After Me Comes the Flood, was longlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and the Folio Prize, and won the East Anglian Book of the Year Award in 2014. She lives in Norwich.
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