Each part is packed full of information to take in, however, it still remains effective in pushing the reader to follow Helen’s story. With each section of the novel alternating between modern-day Prague with Helen and manuscripts on Melmoth written as far back as the 1600s It is clear that Perry has put effort into this element of her narratives within Melmoth. The frequent changes in narration prove to be successful in driving the reader forward, discovering the myth of Melmoth and answering the underlying questions about Helen’s life and what this seemingly ordinary woman has done. Sarah Perry’s writing style flows easily between time periods and through completely unique voices and characters, it takes on a journey through time and moments of painful change.ĭuring an interview with Sarah Perry, she said that her main driving force for the novel was for the readers to find out what Helen Franklin did. In every character’s background, there lies a horrific event, this is what fuels the plot and justifies Melmoth’s curse. Set in bohemian Prague, the characters meet in small secluded cafe’s behind velvet curtains telling the untold secrets of Melmoth. As the manuscript is read, Perry begins a climactic and harrowing journey of the curse of Melmoth and the historical periods for which she is cursed to witness for the sin she has committed, alongside Helen’s own journey of loneliness and burden. These accounts range from Josef Hoffman’s growing up during a Czechoslavakian war to a Turkish beggar witnessing the Armenian massacre, all of which contain sightings of Melmoth. The novel begins with the main character, Helen Franklin a translator who is given a mysterious manuscript that holds the accounts of the appearance of a ghostly woman, Melmoth.

Her style continues from her best-selling novel The Essex Serpent (2017) with a range of narrative voices and harrowing journeys that are within our history. The module is the first English academic study in the world dedicated to a major literally prize and includes access for the students to authors and members of the publishing industry who run tutorials on subjects ranging from book marketing and publicity, to book prize logistics and sales in publishing to help students to explore how literary prizes help to produce, promote and celebrate contemporary writing.Īward-winning novelist Sarah Perry’s third novel Melmoth is a fantastical and gothic reinvention of Charlies Maturin’s classic Melmoth The Wanderer (1820).

Next up is a joint review of Sarah Perry’s novel, Melmoth (Serpent’s Tail) by students Molly Holborn, Angharad Stephens and Hannah Wadham. In the run up to the announcement of the winner of this year’s International Dylan Thomas Prize, Wales Arts Review will be publishing reviews of the six shortlisted titles, written by the students of the IDTPrize module at Swansea University.

Melmoth review