A review by phantomgecko
Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
5.0
Big fan.
A novel that takes embroidery and sewing and portrays it as the legitimate art medium it is. Her needlework is not a weak female stereotype. It quite literally empowers her to be her own woman in a time when that's not easy.
Isobel is a fun character too. She's kind and clever but also naive and makes frustrating mistakes.
Also, hadn't thought much about xenophobia in New England. Like, here's a literate white woman in Massachusetts but oops, she's from ScOtLanD which means she's an imMiGraNt and uNtrUstwOrthY.
As a whole though, this was a great novel with great historical influence and creative speculation.
A novel that takes embroidery and sewing and portrays it as the legitimate art medium it is. Her needlework is not a weak female stereotype. It quite literally empowers her to be her own woman in a time when that's not easy.
Isobel is a fun character too. She's kind and clever but also naive and makes frustrating mistakes.
Also, hadn't thought much about xenophobia in New England. Like, here's a literate white woman in Massachusetts but oops, she's from ScOtLanD which means she's an imMiGraNt and uNtrUstwOrthY.
As a whole though, this was a great novel with great historical influence and creative speculation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Classism, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death, and Slavery