The Essex Serpent

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A Kirkus Review Best Book of 2017 and a Washington Post Notable Work of Fiction, this acclaimed historical novel marks the American debut of a talented young British author. Set in late nineteenth-century England, it follows Cora Seaborne, an intellectually curious widow, as she navigates her newfound independence after the death of her domineering husband. With her inquisitive eleven-year-old son, Francis, and his protective nanny, Martha, Cora escapes London for the coastal town of Essex. There, she encounters rumors of a mythical serpent said to roam the marshes, allegedly responsible for a recent death. Intrigued, Cora, a keen amateur naturalist, believes the creature may be an undiscovered species, while local vicar William Ransome views the tales as a product of moral panic. Despite their differing perspectives on science and faith, Cora and Will are drawn to each other, leading to an intense relationship that challenges their beliefs and transforms their lives in unforeseen ways. This novel explores themes of skepticism, love, and the tension between independence and societal expectations.