The Essex Serpent

A Novel

By: Sarah Perry

Narrated by: Juanita McMahon

Length: 14 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Costa Book Award Finalist and the Waterstones (UK) Book of the Year 2016

An exquisitely talented young British author makes her American debut with this rapturously acclaimed historical novel, set in late 19th-century England, about an intellectually minded young widow, a pious vicar, and a rumored mythical serpent that explores questions about science and religion, skepticism, and faith, independence and love.

When Cora Seaborne's brilliant, domineering husband dies, she steps into her new life as a widow with as much relief as sadness: her marriage was not a happy one. Wed at 19, this woman of exceptional intelligence and curiosity was ill-suited for the role of society wife. Seeking refuge in fresh air and open space in the wake of the funeral, Cora leaves London for a visit to coastal Essex, accompanied by her inquisitive and obsessive 11-year old son, Francis, and the boy's nanny, Martha, her fiercely protective friend.

While admiring the sites, Cora learns of an intriguing rumor that has arisen further up the estuary, of a fearsome creature said to roam the marshes claiming human lives. After nearly 300 years, the mythical Essex Serpent is said to have returned, taking the life of a young man on New Year's Eve. A keen amateur naturalist with no patience for religion or superstition, Cora is immediately enthralled, and certain that what the local people think is a magical sea beast may be a previously undiscovered species. Eager to investigate, she is introduced to local vicar William Ransome. Will, too, is suspicious of the rumors. But unlike Cora, this man of faith is convinced the rumors are caused by moral panic, a flight from true belief.

These seeming opposites who agree on nothing soon find themselves inexorably drawn together and torn apart - an intense relationship that will change both of their lives in ways entirely unexpected.

Hailed by Sarah Waters as "a work of great intelligence and charm, by a hugely talented author," The Essex Serpent is "irresistible...you can feel the influences of Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens, and Hilary Mantel channeled by Perry in some sort of Victorian séance. This is the best new novel I've read in years." (Daily Telegraph, London).

©2016 Sarah Perry (P)2017 WF Howes

Critic reviews

"I loved this book. At once numinous, intimate and wise, The Essex Serpent is a marvelous novel about the workings of life, love and belief, about science and religion, secrets, mysteries, and the complicated and unexpected shifts of the human heart - and it contains some of the most beautiful evocations of place and landscape I've ever read. It is so good its pages seem lit from within. As soon as I'd finished it I started reading it again." (Helen MacDonald, author of H is for Hawk)

"An array of adjectives comes to mind at the opening words of this audiobook: alluring, poetic, with an air of exactness and aged wisdom.... Narrator Juanita McMahon expertly inhabits its sharp-tongued, sweet-spirited, stoic, wondrous characters. Her vocal characterizations are gothically charming.... A superb narration!" ( AudioFile)

Gorgeous

This is a beautifully told story. The narrator is exceptional. I think I would have loved the book if I had read it, rather than listened to it, but not as much.

Not what I expected

This was a well written story, but not what I expected. Masochistic physical and sexual abuse, disturbed children, attempted murder, infidelity, tuberculosis, heart surgery, superstition, unrequited love, homosexuality, suicide, wealth vs poverty, and it goes on. I expected it to be a bit mystical, but it wasn’t at all. I’ve never read a book that had so many issues crammed into one story. I don’t think all the people in a group this size are generally this damaged. It was a pretty depressing read for me.

A bit meandering but it gets there.

This book felt long. It has some slow parts but it usually picks up eventually. The story is a very interesting one as well. For those who think this is a fantasy book, it's definitely not. It's just a book about a woman who is recently widowed and her figuring out how to live life. Its not a great romance, it's not about a snake, it's mostly about internal journeys and self discoveries. But it's good and entertaining if you are into that sort of thing.

Puts new Apple show to shame

Very impressed with the narrator’s ability to give each character a unique and easily identifiable voice.

Sadly the book puts Apple’s new show to shame. It’s much better than the show is so far.

Decent read; affected narration

A good story. The minor characters really shine, especially the children, who are fully drawn and not relegated to a supporting role. Really didn't like the narrator's rendering of the main character's speech impediment. It was incredibly distracting and skewed my impression of Cora negatively; she sounded like an old polish grandmother.

Narrator criticism UNFOUNDED!!

Complex story with psychologically complicated characters. I felt the narrator was exceptional in capturing each one. The naysayers should perhaps have paid more attention to the story being narrated before offering such unjust criticism.

Okay story, excellent performance

What does Juanita McMahon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I alternated between reading from the (gorgeously jacketed) hardcover, and listening to the audiobook. Juanita McMahon is excellent. Her voice is soothing and easy to pay attention to, and she gives distinct voices to the many characters without things getting silly.

Any additional comments?

I didn't hate it, didn't love it, I can't even really say I liked it, but it was OK. The writing is beautiful, in that I reread some passages several times over because I just like they way the words were strung together. However, the story itself did not engage me. There were many elements that held great potential to be more interesting to me than they actually were. One problem was that I think there were perhaps too many themes and plot threads, each explored too shallowly to really shine. And none of the characters successfully captivated me, least of all Cora Seabourne.

Good, but not what I had expected.

Nice, but nice only. I kept waiting for the moment the story would grab me but it never did. Fantastic reading, I must say. I don't think I would have finished the book had it not been for the colourful reading.

Grace

A graceful piece of historical fiction that brings together love and friendship; science and superstition.

Incredible performance!

Exceptional performance by narrator and beautifully poetic story! Very much enjoyed this book and so glad I listened to it instead of reading it myself.