Episode 1
Widow Cora and her young son leave London for Colchester, where she first hears about the sea serpent. Read by Ruth Gemmell.
It’s 1893. Newly widowed, Cora Seaborne and her young son, Francis, leave London and head for Colchester. Cora plans to look for fossils but is intrigued to hear about the myth of the Essex Serpent.
Sarah Perry's award-winning novel set at the end of the 19th century and inspired by true events.
Moving between Essex and London, myth and modernity, Cora's spirited search for the Essex Serpent encourages all around her to test their allegiance to faith or reason in an age of rapid scientific advancement.
At the same time, Sarah Perry’s novel explores the boundaries of love and friendship and the allegiances that we have to one another. The depth of feeling that the inhabitants of Aldwinter share are matched by their city counterparts as they strive to find the courage to express and understand their deepest desires, and strongest fears.
Abridged in ten episodes by Jeremy Osborne.
Read by Ruth Gemmell.
Producer: Rosalynd Ward
A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2017.
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Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Reader | Ruth Gemmell |
| Author | Sarah Perry |
| Abridger | Jeremy Osborne |
| Producer | Rosalynd Ward |
Broadcasts
Mon 3 Apr 201722:45BBC Radio 4- Mon 2 Apr 201814:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Tue 3 Apr 201802:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Mon 28 Jun 202114:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Tue 29 Jun 202102:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
