{"title":"Sarah Perry Books","description":"\u003cp\u003eBrowse the books by Sarah Perry we have in stock, new and second-hand, in paperback and hardback. Mostly fiction, as well as crime and thrillers. Every book ships from our own UK warehouse. Free UK delivery on orders of £10 or more.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-essex-serpent","title":"The Essex Serpent","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn NPR and Kirkus Review Best Book of 2017, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and a Washington Post Notable Work of Fiction. Winner of the British Book Awards Fiction Book of the Year and overall Book of the Year, selected as the Waterstones Book of the Year, and a Costa Book Award Finalist\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"A novel of almost insolent ambition--lush and fantastical, a wild Eden behind a garden gate...it's part ghost story and part natural history lesson, part romance and part feminist parable. I found it so transporting that 48 hours after completing it, I was still resentful to be back home.\"  -New York Times\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“An irresistible new novel…the most delightful heroine since Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice…By the end, The Essex Serpent identifies a mystery far greater than some creature ‘from the illuminated margins of a manuscript’: friendship.”  -Washington Post\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Richly enjoyable... Ms. Perry writes beautifully and sometimes agreeably sharply... The Essex Serpent is a wonderfully satisfying novel. Ford Madox Ford thought the glory of the novel was its ability to make the reader think and feel at the same time. This one does just that.\" -Wall Street Journal\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn exquisitely talented young British author makes her American debut with this rapturously acclaimed historical novel, set in late nineteenth-century England, about an intellectually minded young widow, a pious vicar, and a rumored mythical serpent that explores questions about science and religion, skepticism, and faith, independence and love.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen Cora Seaborne’s brilliant, domineering husband dies, she steps into her new life as a widow with as much relief as sadness: her marriage was not a happy one. Wed at nineteen, this woman of exceptional intelligence and curiosity was ill-suited for the role of society wife. Seeking refuge in fresh air and open space in the wake of the funeral, Cora leaves London for a visit to coastal Essex, accompanied by her inquisitive and obsessive eleven-year old son, Francis, and the boy’s nanny, Martha, her fiercely protective friend. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile admiring the sites, Cora learns of an intriguing rumor that has arisen further up the estuary, of a fearsome creature said to roam the marshes claiming human lives. After nearly 300 years, the mythical Essex Serpent is said to have returned, taking the life of a young man on New Year’s Eve. A keen amateur naturalist with no patience for religion or superstition, Cora is immediately enthralled, and certain that what the local people think is a magical sea beast may be a previously undiscovered species. Eager to investigate, she is introduced to local vicar William Ransome. Will, too, is suspicious of the rumors. But unlike Cora, this man of faith is convinced the rumors are caused by moral panic, a flight from true belief.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese seeming opposites who agree on nothing soon find themselves inexorably drawn together and torn apart—an intense relationship that will change both of their lives in ways entirely unexpected.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHailed by Sarah Waters as \"a work of great intelligence and charm, by a hugely talented author,\" The Essex Serpent is \"irresistible . . . you can feel the influences of Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens, and Hilary Mantel channeled by Perry in some sort of Victorian séance. This is the best new novel I’ve read in years\" (Daily Telegraph).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"sb-details\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/sarah-perry-books\"\u003eSarah Perry\u003c\/a\u003e (all their books in stock)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublished:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2017\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 432\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e HarperCollins\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9780062666376\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins","offers":[{"title":"Poor Condition — £2.02","offer_id":47908878057649,"sku":"SB-0062666371-C4","price":2.02,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0618\/2669\/5345\/files\/0062666371.jpg?v=1789195728"},{"product_id":"the-essex-serpent-1","title":"The Essex Serpent","description":"\u003cp\u003eTHE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLEROverall Book of the Year and Fiction Book of the Year at the British Book Awards 2017 (Nibbies)Longlisted for the 2017 Baileys Women's Prize for FictionThe Waterstones Book of the Year 2016Shortlisted for the 2016 Costa Novel Award'One of the most memorable historical novels of the past decade' Sunday TimesLondon 1893. When Cora Seaborne's husband dies, she steps into her new life as a widow with as much relief as sadness: her marriage was not a happy one, and she never suited the role of society wife. Accompanied by her son Francis - a curious, obsessive boy - she leaves town for Essex, where she hopes fresh air and open space will provide the refuge they need.When they take lodgings in Colchester, rumours reach them from further up the estuary that the mythical Essex Serpent, once said to roam the marshes claiming human lives, has returned to the coastal parish of Aldwinter. Cora, a keen amateur naturalist with no patience for religion or superstition, is immediately enthralled, convinced that what the local people think is a magical beast may be a previously undiscovered species. As she sets out on its trail, she is introduced to William Ransome, Aldwinter's vicar.Like Cora, Will is deeply suspicious of the rumours, but he thinks they are founded on moral panic, a flight from real faith. As he tries to calm his parishioners, he and Cora strike up an intense relationship, and although they agree on absolutely nothing, they find themselves inexorably drawn together and torn apart, eventually changing each other's lives in ways entirely unexpected.Told with exquisite grace and intelligence, this novel is most of all a celebration of love, and the many different guises it can take.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"sb-details\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/sarah-perry-books\"\u003eSarah Perry\u003c\/a\u003e (all their books in stock)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublished:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2016\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 416\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Serpent's Tail\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9781781255445\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Serpent's Tail","offers":[{"title":"Standard Secondhand — £1.00","offer_id":47916897140913,"sku":"SB-178125544X-C3","price":1.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0618\/2669\/5345\/files\/178125544X_7caf842c-6b7a-4e1f-82b5-a88de3184231.jpg?v=1790306117"},{"product_id":"the-essex-serpent-from-the-booker-longlisted-author-of-enlightenment","title":"The Essex Serpent: from the Booker-longlisted author of Enlightenment","description":"\u003cp\u003eLondon 1893. 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As he tries to calm his parishioners, Will and Cora strike up an intense relationship, and although they agree on absolutely nothing, they find themselves at once drawn together and torn apart, affecting each other in ways that surprise them both.\"The Essex Serpent\" is a celebration of love, and the many different shapes it can take\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"sb-details\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/sarah-perry-books\"\u003eSarah Perry\u003c\/a\u003e (all their books in stock)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublished:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2017\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 416\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Serpent's Tail\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9781781255452\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Serpent's Tail","offers":[{"title":"Standard Secondhand — £1.00","offer_id":47916897173681,"sku":"SB-1781255458-C3","price":1.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0618\/2669\/5345\/files\/1781255458.jpg?v=1789162656"},{"product_id":"enlightenment-a-beautiful-summer-read-about-love-mystery-and-unlikely-friendship-from-the-1-sunday-times-bestselling-author","title":"Enlightenment: A beautiful summer read about love, mystery and unlikely friendship from the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2024**\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e A story of love and astronomy told over the course of twenty years through the lives of two improbable best friends\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e'Gorgeous... 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Inspired by Maria, and the dawning realisation James may not reciprocate his feelings, Thomas finds solace studying the night skies. Could astronomy offer as much wonder as divine or earthly love?\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Meanwhile Grace meets Nathan, a fellow sixth former who represents a different, wilder kind of life. They are drawn passionately together, but quickly pulled apart, casting Grace into the wider world and far away from Thomas.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e In time, the mysteries of Aldleigh are revealed, bringing Thomas and Grace back to each other and to a richer understanding of love, of the nature of the world, and the sheer miracle of being alive.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e*A BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR THE \u003ci\u003eGUARDIAN\u003c\/i\u003e*\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"sb-details\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/sarah-perry-books\"\u003eSarah Perry\u003c\/a\u003e (all their books in stock)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublished:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2024\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 400\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jonathan Cape\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9781787334991\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Jonathan Cape","offers":[{"title":"Poor Condition — £1.00","offer_id":47917162889393,"sku":"SB-1787334996-C4","price":1.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0618\/2669\/5345\/files\/1787334996.jpg?v=1789616213"},{"product_id":"melmoth-the-sunday-times-bestseller-from-the-author-of-the-essex-serpent","title":"Melmoth: The Sunday Times Bestseller from the author of The Essex Serpent","description":"\u003cp\u003eTwenty years ago Helen Franklin did something she cannot forgive herself for, and she has spent every day since barricading herself against its memory. But the sheltered life she has crafted for herself is about to change. A strange manuscript has come into her possession, and its contents have the power to unravel every strand of her fragile safety net. It is filled with testimonies from the darkest chapters of human history, which all record sightings of a tall, silent woman in black, with unblinking eyes and bleeding feet: Melmoth, the loneliest being in the world. Condemned to walk the Earth forever, she tries to beguile the guilty and lure them away for a lifetime wandering alongside her. Everyone that Melmoth seeks out must make a choice: to live with what they've done, or be led into the darkness. Despite her scepticism, Helen can't stop reading, or shake the feeling that someone or something is watching her. As her past finally catches up with her, she too must choose which path to take. Exquisitely written, and gripping until the very last page, this is a masterpiece of moral complexity, asking us profound questions about mercy, redemption, and how to make the best of our conflicted world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"sb-details\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/sarah-perry-books\"\u003eSarah Perry\u003c\/a\u003e (all their books in stock)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublished:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2018\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 270\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Serpent's Tail\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1788160665\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Serpent's Tail","offers":[{"title":"New — £4.28","offer_id":47917202145457,"sku":"SB-1788160665-C0","price":4.28,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard Secondhand — £1.00","offer_id":47917202178225,"sku":"SB-1788160665-C3","price":1.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0618\/2669\/5345\/files\/1788160665.jpg?v=1789443103"},{"product_id":"melmoth-the-sunday-times-bestseller-from-the-author-of-the-essex-serpent-1","title":"Melmoth: The Sunday Times Bestseller from the author of The Essex Serpent","description":"\u003cp\u003e20 years ago Helen Franklin did something she cannot forgive herself for, and she has spent every day since barricading herself against its memory. 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