The Essex Serpent

Perry’s second novel is a powerful, beautifully written historical novel about love, friendship and superstition.

Cora Seaborne, widow of a cruel husband, becomes intrigued by rumours of a mythic beast, the Essex Serpent, who may or may not haunt the Blackwater near the village of Aldwinter. Here she meets the vicar, William Ransome, a man of faith while Cora is a woman of science. Despite their differences a fast friendship grows up. Drawn to each other their lives are changed in subtle ways and neither of them will ever be the same again.

But the cast of characters doesn’t end with theses two. There are the Ransome children, and Will’s wife Stella, ill but the light of his life. Francis, Cora’s possibly autistic son; Luke Garrett, a brilliant surgeon in love with Cora; Spencer, his faithful friend. Martha, Cora’s companion who becomes an activist in the nascent women’s movement. For as well as folklore, this tale deals with the injustices of Victorian slums and the efforts to reform society.

It’s an ambitious, sometimes meandering, sometimes chilling book. Perry writes intelligent, graceful prose and this novel encompasses many aspects of love and friendship as her characters’ lives revolve and entwine around each other. I read, and enjoyed her debut novel, After Me Comes The Flood, but this is a huge leap forward, both in scope and execution.

Well worth your time.