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tnociti's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
smilesgiggle's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this unique look at women in Hawthorne's era. Very slow build - the relationship between Hester and Hawthorne actually starts more than halfway through the book. I considered not finishing several times.
Hester and her husband leave England due to her husband's debts. Hester must leave behind her beloved father - and depend solely upon her husband.
While her husband travels as a ship medic, Hester earns money with her incredible needlepoint. She expertly hides words underneath her designs, a skill passed down in her family.
I enjoyed Hester's wish for independence; the juxtaposition of her with her "freed" neighbors - outcasts from supposed polite society.
Hester and her husband leave England due to her husband's debts. Hester must leave behind her beloved father - and depend solely upon her husband.
While her husband travels as a ship medic, Hester earns money with her incredible needlepoint. She expertly hides words underneath her designs, a skill passed down in her family.
I enjoyed Hester's wish for independence; the juxtaposition of her with her "freed" neighbors - outcasts from supposed polite society.
windsorgrace's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
My bestie recommended this book to me and I’m in the middle of a re-listen of an epic series and needed a break. I checked the library, and the audiobook was available. While Hester is far from my usual reading material, I enjoyed it. I haven’t read a purely historical fiction book with no magic in a long time.
This is a retelling of The Scarlett Letter, seen through the eyes of “the real” (for the sake of this fictional book) Hester. Her husband leaves her alone in Salem, as a recent immigrant, with no money. With no way to support herself, Hester begins embroidering gloves for the local tailor. Along the way she meets Nathanial Hawthorne and begins an elicit affair. The rest of the book is a combination of Hester’s sewing and embroidery projects and how she deals with her lover.
I enjoyed how the author explained the red letter on clothing and why. Finding the threads from the original Scarlet Letter to Hester was fun. Who knew someone could make such a boring book (Scarlet Letter) something so interesting. Have you read it? What did you think?
jgdye's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
melissafrench's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.75
I really got swept away in this book. It made me want to revisit The Scarlett Letter for the first time since high school. I find the concept of synesthesia fascinating and while I kept expecting for it to become more explicitly symbolic in the book I appreciated how ultimately it was just the way Isobel experienced the world. I’m always looking for historical fiction from different perspectives and I really appreciated this neurodiverse POV.
ktemiller's review against another edition
5.0
For fans of the Scarlett Letter, this is such a unique take on the story. It showcases how Hester was a hero.
krystal_lacelle's review against another edition
5.0
“A vivid reimagining of the woman who inspired Hester Prynne, the tragic heroine of Nathaniel Hawthrone’s The Scarlet Letter, and a journey into the enduring legacy of New England’s witchcraft trials.”
I believe this might be my new favourite book. I read The Scarlet Letter in high school… or maybe even just the cliff notes, and I remember very little of it. I’ll start with that honesty. So my review is purely on this book alone, Hester. I have never read a book with this much atmospheric appeal. I could vividly see everything the author wrote beautifully and vibrantly. She had such a way of describing the scenery, the colours, and the smells. It was bewitching if you will. The way she told the story of Isobel and her “unique sensory phenomenon” know as synesthesia was incredible. In her case she could see colours in letters, and voices.
Isobel lived a life of secrecy. Her mother wanted her to hide her colours from the world in order to protect herself during a time when woman would be accused of witches for the silliest things. Which could result in being cast out or killed. Reading about her journey of hiding her colours, losing her colours, finding them again and then learning to use them to her benefit was inspiring. I don’t want to give too much away but I’m just obsessed with this book.
It’s full of history, heartache, healing, finding yourself, believing in yourself, forgiveness, resilience, magic, being there for people who need and deserve it, relationships (good and bad), and motherhood.
I didn’t want this book to end. This is definitely a book I will re-read a few times in my life I’m sure.
“you must love what is close and true; you must look to the present and future and not to the past.”
I believe this might be my new favourite book. I read The Scarlet Letter in high school… or maybe even just the cliff notes, and I remember very little of it. I’ll start with that honesty. So my review is purely on this book alone, Hester. I have never read a book with this much atmospheric appeal. I could vividly see everything the author wrote beautifully and vibrantly. She had such a way of describing the scenery, the colours, and the smells. It was bewitching if you will. The way she told the story of Isobel and her “unique sensory phenomenon” know as synesthesia was incredible. In her case she could see colours in letters, and voices.
Isobel lived a life of secrecy. Her mother wanted her to hide her colours from the world in order to protect herself during a time when woman would be accused of witches for the silliest things. Which could result in being cast out or killed. Reading about her journey of hiding her colours, losing her colours, finding them again and then learning to use them to her benefit was inspiring. I don’t want to give too much away but I’m just obsessed with this book.
It’s full of history, heartache, healing, finding yourself, believing in yourself, forgiveness, resilience, magic, being there for people who need and deserve it, relationships (good and bad), and motherhood.
I didn’t want this book to end. This is definitely a book I will re-read a few times in my life I’m sure.
“you must love what is close and true; you must look to the present and future and not to the past.”
ken121592's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0