Questions About The Essex Serpent

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Answered Questions (24)

I'm about 100 pages in, and if something doesn't start happening very soon, I'm going to toss this book in the mud, the same mud that has been repeatedly described at least 100 times up to this point. Virginia Woolf's stories come off as action-driven thrillers compared to this so far. So, if the whole book is like this, tell me now, so I can stop the pain. Is there any plot at all?

Samantha I made it through almost 200 pages before giving up. Comes across as both dull and trying too hard not to be. Obviously the wife is going to die at so…moreI made it through almost 200 pages before giving up. Comes across as both dull and trying too hard not to be. Obviously the wife is going to die at some point (really, she's coughing again? oh she's warm? could she be....dying??) but get on with it already! (less)

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Hi! I'm desperate to read this book but haven't got around to it yet, and probably won't before Christmas. In the meantime, I've bought it for my mother in law. She's very nice, but very, very conservative. Without spoilers (please), is there a lot of swearing/sex in it? If so, I should probably reconsider...

Andrew Cox How weird to read these comments. Whether I am too used to sexual references I don't know but I would not have any qualms about recommending this book…moreHow weird to read these comments. Whether I am too used to sexual references I don't know but I would not have any qualms about recommending this book to anyone. If you find gross sexual scenes & a bit of sexual sadism in it I think you must be reading a different book. I would imagine a very devout Christian might not like some of the arguments around science & religion but these are just philosophical debates & reflects the arguments of the time & certainly does not belittle religious orthodoxy. If you feel remotely offended by anything in this book I recommend you don't open a book again. Amazing,(less)

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Can someone explain the ending to me? Are Cora and Will having an affair?? when she says 'come quickly' at the end is she hoping his wife will die so they can be together??

Jordan

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Can someone explain what all the fuss is about this book? I read nearly all of it and to my mind virtually nothing happened except for people swooning around the place and exchange of some slightly interesting letters. Did I miss some deep and hidden meaning or am I just without feeling?

Sharon J

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I was super excited by the book at first, but nothing much happens (there's not even a freakin' serpent!). Good premise and good cast of characters, but it failed for me. I wasn't happy with the ending at all. Felt like I'd wasted a week of reading! Why do so many modern novels that imitate Victorian works fail so badly?

Virginia Imitation Victorian works also fail abysmally when the writer is unable to approximate Victorian speech adequately. At one point Cora even says she's …moreImitation Victorian works also fail abysmally when the writer is unable to approximate Victorian speech adequately. At one point Cora even says she's "bored of" something. Tone-deaf mIstakes like this ruined the book for me.(less)

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