tyranalaurus's review against another edition
5.0
makes me wish id read the scarlet letter in school! the author did so much research regarding witch trials and slavery which i think was really awesome. the vibes (single mother, family ancestry, witchcraft) were pretty similar to weyward, which i just read before this and also really loved.
4parkerlane's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Having not read The Scarlet Letter since high school, I found myself googling quite a bit but that is more of a plus than a minus. I enjoyed revisiting the literary merits of Nathaniel Hawthorne and synesthesia as a plot device was both interesting and unexpected.
thatsoneforthebooks's review against another edition
3.0
✨ Review ✨ Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese; Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld
Oh man, I have a lot of feelings about this book. I think that the concept was super inventive - I loved that it told the fictional backstory of the woman who inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne to write the Scarlet Letter. It was such a clever approach to thinking through the role of color and sound via synesthesia, and weaving in different elements of Hester's story.
With that said, I think that there were pieces of this that weren't fully fleshed out or that were problematic. I don't think the book handles race and racial difference well. I think it left loose ends in whether magic existed or was just an excuse used to gain power. I also think she really wrote NH as kind of a jerk (and maybe he was, but
Oh man, I have a lot of feelings about this book. I think that the concept was super inventive - I loved that it told the fictional backstory of the woman who inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne to write the Scarlet Letter. It was such a clever approach to thinking through the role of color and sound via synesthesia, and weaving in different elements of Hester's story.
With that said, I think that there were pieces of this that weren't fully fleshed out or that were problematic. I don't think the book handles race and racial difference well. I think it left loose ends in whether magic existed or was just an excuse used to gain power. I also think she really wrote NH as kind of a jerk (and maybe he was, but
sammyshellstorm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lizziesz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mlsweeten's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
victoriahoperose's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0