Cora, both intrigued and skeptical is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. As they are walking through town they come across a beggar with amputated legs who tells them about the legend of the Essex serpent and how the locals think that it has returned because someone washed up dead on the shore on New Year’s. Michael dies shortly after the first chapter from throat cancer and Cora finds it difficult to pretend that she grieves his loss she feels a sense of relief and freedom instead.Īfter Michael’s death Cora moves to Essex with Martha and Francis in pursuit of fossils and she discovers that she loves it there, much to Martha’s dismay.

Martha and Cora are often incredibly close as shown by Martha’s protectiveness of Cora and the fact that they lay in bed together when Cora needs comforting, which is often, as Michael is borderline sadistic and physically abuses her as shown by the scar Cora has on her collarbone from the silver candle holder that Michael pressed into her skin. They are a wealthy couple able to afford the company of Martha who takes care of their son Francis, since he is a strange boy and his parents cannot be bothered to deal with him. Michael is abusive towards his wife, Cora who is introduced shortly after. The narration follows him to the household of his patient Michael-Seaborne who is a politician and described as a very cruel and difficult person. Luke Garret learning every detail about the human heart.

It is New Year’s eve and as the old year closes and the new one moves in, everything is consumed with darkness.Īfter that teaser chapter, the novel opens in London and we are in the presence of Dr. The first chapter that is not really a chapter opens up with an unnamed man walking around Black water, he eventually wades into the blackness of the marshes and the text suggests that there is something there waiting for him. The overall narration of this novel is done in the present tense, omniscient third person where the narrator has a bird's eye view from above and is commenting on all of the lives of the characters. Note: The following version of this book was used to create this study guide: Perry, Sarah.

The essex serpent book