What do readers think of The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry? Write your own review.

The premise of faith (characterized by Anglican vicar Will Ransome) versus reason (naturalist Cora Seaborne) to explore the unexplained sea monster on the coast of England in late Victorian times is an appealing storyline, and there were many interesting conversations, observations, and descriptions along the way. For me, the story ended up being a little too long, with characters that—although unusual and even eccentric--didn't draw me in. Religion and science could have been more fully explored, especially since their importance to the main characters let them both down by the end of the story. Some aspects of the novel would provide rich fodder for discussion, particularly in terms of characters and the ideas of the era.

This book has many great reviews. However I found it difficult to get through. The characters are well developed but the storyline just didn't catch me.

This novel is set in Victorian London and a village in Essex in the 1890's. It was not the usual and expected historic novel. I had difficulty getting involved with the unconventional characters and disjointed plot. Despite the exquisite and poetic language, I found myself detached and ultimately disinterested.

For me this is a rather dark and dour novel with a main character who is somewhat unappealing. Few of the characters really grab the reader. The main character is an intelligent young woman married to an abusive man and his death is a relief. The storyline however remains far too dark for this reader. Cora joins forces with a vicar to investigate the mysterious return of a legendary serpent but the story truly is about the Victorian era and its mores.

Older readers may find this book interesting for its discussion about the mid nineteenth century and superstition. Younger readers might find it a bit too dark and gothic.

Book clubs would concentrate on discussing how different this era was but how superstition and the natural world collided as the century headed towards its end into the modern world.