so-soI read this for a book club. I probably wouldn't have chosen it on my own. It was good in parts. I read the Scarlet Letter a long time ago. I think if I remembered more of that I would have enjoyed Hester more.
32 likes
Hester: A Novel | 
so-soI read this for a book club. I probably wouldn't have chosen it on my own. It was good in parts. I read the Scarlet Letter a long time ago. I think if I remembered more of that I would have enjoyed Hester more.
pickI enjoyed this #LiteraryCrew pick: I have only a hazy memory of The Scarlet Letter, so it was interesting to read this interpretation where primary character is living in a much later era and in a relationship with Nathaniel Hawthorne. Explores issues like class, immigration, gender abuse, the Underground Railroad, and “witchcraft” in the earliest part of the 19th century. Jumping back-and-forth to Puritan Salem could be confusing, though.
pickOf course I was initially interested in this book because of seeing this beautiful cover on Litsy. When I was younger, I was a little obsessed with reading about the Salem Witch Trials, and I read The Scarlet Letter around that time too.
The author had such a unique idea for the origin of the famous red letter, and the reimagining of Hester and Nat‘s stories was so full of emotion!
so-soI haven‘t read The Scarlet Letter, so I‘m not sure if that had an impact on my reading of Hester. I just never really connected with the main characters. I didn‘t always understand their motivations. I enjoyed the characters of Mercy and Zeke and the embroidery information, but overall this wasn‘t really for me.
#LiteraryCrew
It‘s time for our discussion, #LiteraryCrew ! There are 9 questions posted as spoilers that can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag. Mixed reviews on this one, so I‘m interested to see your thoughts!
Next month‘s book is Charlotte Bronte‘s Villette; the reminder will be posted tomorrow.
Thanks for joining this #BuddyRead !
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf
9. Hester imagines the inspiration for Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter through the connection between Isobel and Hawthorne. While there is no specific proof as to the true inspiration, Hawthorne's work is a treatise against Puritanism, specifically John Winthrop's diaries that chronicled Puritan life (including punishment of a woman for adultery.
At the end of TSL, Hawthorne references a gravestone in Boston's King's Chapel Burying Ground ⬇
8. It is true that Nathaniel Hawthorne is related to John Hathorne, one of the Salem Witch Trial judges and the one who refused to believe the whole episode was a hoax. Hawthorne was so ashamed by his ancestry that he added a “w“ to his last name (short bio on Hawthorne linked in the comments).
Have you read any of Hawthorne's works? What did you think of his character in the novel? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
7. How did the end of the novel make you feel? What do you think comes next for Isobel and Margaret in their relationship and their story? ~from Readinggroupguides.com #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
6. Consider Isobel Gowdie and her legacy, as well as the legacy of the other women in Isobel‘s family, including her daughter. Which of the women in the family do you think were the most influential? What do you think Isobel and Margaret‘s legacy will be? ~from Readinggroupguides.com #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
5. Scottish myths and elements of the magical world run throughout the novel. How does Isobel‘s belief in magic and the spirit world change throughout the novel? ~adapted from Readinggroupguides.com #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
4. Discuss the significance of Isobel‘s colors. What do you think it means that she has lost them at certain points in her life and gained them back? Why do you think she is unable to see colors with certain people? ~from Readinggroupguides.com #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
3. Isobel‘s embroidery is an essential part of who she is and allows her to express her internal creative process in a way the world values. Do you have a creative outlet or form of creative expression that is important to you? ~from Readinggroupguides.com #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
2. Examine the various positions and choices that women in the novel are given and have to overcome. What journey did each of these women take, and who do you think ultimately overcame the most? ~from Readinggroupguides.com #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
1. At the beginning of the novel, we are told about the unique phenomenon of synesthesia, which plays a major role in HESTER. In what ways does Isobel‘s synesthesia serve to propel the narrative forward? ~from Readinggroupguides.com #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
Tomorrow is our discussion day, #LiteraryCrew , for Hester. I had hoped to be finished (and this why this reminder is so late), but this one is not clicking for me. Beautifully written, but I‘m not buying the tie to The Scarlet Letter (and that will be discussed tomorrow, as there is a supposed closer connection to Hester than Isobel). I‘ll see how much more I can read tonight!
Looking forward to your thoughts tomorrow! #BuddyRead
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf
I'm excited to be able to participate in #HyggeHourReadathon ! I'm not usually home on Sunday nights. I'm audio puzzling and listening to Hester, which I'm really enjoying.
@AllDebooks @TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit
#LiteraryCrew @Librarybelle
Started this book this morning-so far, I am enjoying it. #literarycrew #historicalfiction #Salem #NathanialHawthorn #TheScarletLetter
bailed#LiteraryCrew I listened to the first two hours and this isn‘t really holding my interest. There are plenty of other books out there and I‘ve decided it‘s time to #HailTheBail!
Why does stuff like this drive me so crazy? It‘s jarring and sort of takes me out of the story for a sec.
#pedantry #LiteraryCrew @Librarybelle
(Images from Google and Wikipedia)
A lovely analogy for intergeneratinal resilience juxtaposed to intergenerational trauma.
#LiteraryCrew #buddyread
Starting this #buddyread
Hester Prynne is one of my favorite heroines. ♥️🟥🔴
This book is starting off great. I already love Isobel- both of them.
How men treated women and accused them of witchcraft is just appalling.
Halloween 2017 my husband and I went to Salem Massachusetts. It was a fascinating day.
#LiteraryCrew @Librarybelle
pickI finished my lego and I finished my audio book. I loved this retelling or reimagining of The Scarlet Letter especially on audio
Bag #5
I‘ve struggled to get into a few audio books since I finished my last, probably because I just haven‘t had enough consecutive listening time. This one sucked me right in - I‘m ahead of myself for #literarycrew maybe that will be my vibe for 2025? 🤣🤣
pickI liked it—it‘s an entertaining story speculating about the inspiration for Hawthorne‘s The Scarlett Letter & if you go in wondering, “what if?!?” there‘s a lot to like. This even though you know what the end must inevitably be even though it‘s clear the Isobel Gamble, whose story it is, has no idea. The legacy of the Salem witch trials looms large over this story about a young woman who refuses to conform or be dependent on the men in her life.
Started this one last night and am enjoying it so far.
#bookhaul
My work staff gifted me a more than generous $100 Barnes & Noble gift certificate as a get well gift. Obviously, they know me well! Visited the store today and left with four books. 💛📚❤️🩹
so-soThis was a little slow for me. It was an interesting retelling and spin on the original story but it just felt like it drug on for me. After the first half, I had a hard time staying interested. It just didn‘t have a whole lot going on for most of the book. Great writing and interesting story, just not my favorite.
pickA lyrical historical fiction filled beautiful prose. A talented seamstress married to a fraudulent Scottish Apothecary arrives in America and meets Nathaniel Hawthorne, who makes her his muse for The Scarlet Letter. Making this story unique is the protagonist struggling with synaesthesia, the ability to see colors through sounds and words. An amazing interpretation of the classic!
so-soThe Scarlet Letter is one of my absolute favorite novels, which may be why this book wasn‘t successful for me. The writing was lovely, but I felt it assumed an interpretation of Hawthorne‘s work with which I do not agree. I also felt that Albanese tried to tackle far too much here.
so-soWhile I thought the writing was great, I did find the story itself slow. I don‘t think having Nathaniel Hawthorne be a part of the plot was essential. He could have been any man and Isobel‘s story would have been the same.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#botm #historicalretelling
pick"I daresay the Scottish wish for enchantments too Mrs. Gamble. Isn't that why you weave magical creatures into your clothing and make little amulets to carry in your pockets?"
Loved this book so much! 4 ⭐️
pickI really liked this one. It's inspired by the Scarlet Letter, imagining events in Hawthorne's life that could have inspired such a tale. Isobel is a wonderful character, and I found the ending very satisfying. This was my June #Bookspin @TheAromaofBooks
Starting this one. I love the cover.
April pick was my super 5 ⭐️ read Hester! Still maintaining that nothing will beat Priory as my all around best read of the year, but it is only April. Who knows? Can‘t wait to see what May brings! #readingbracket2023 #2023readingbracket
pick#TBRtarot @CBee I could not put this down! I used to teach Scarlet Letter all the time but this retelling was super fun and unique. I loved how the author wove Nathanial Hawthorne‘s life and real history into this. It was so well done. I often teach Hester as America‘s first female heroine defying norms and the rules of men and this really showed that from her perspective. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ super 5 star read!
pickSuch a brilliant book! The way the author wove true and imagined pieces of history together was ingenious and made for a compelling, beautiful story. The synesthesia perspective was fascinating and I loved how her embroidery skills moved that part of the story forward. I will be thinking about this book for a long time! And it, finishing it last night in the car means I blacked out my #BookspinBingo card! @TheAromaofBooks Coming in under the wire!
Hester was my absolute fave for March! Though I‘m currently reading (and should finish today) The Once and Future Witches which is EXCELLENT. Tough choice between those two (a lot of similarities between them). #readingbracket2023 @chasjjlee
pickThank goodness for book clubs and the new books they bring into my life!
A recommended read for those who enjoy character growth, the empowering of women, and love stories with a twist.
pickI loved this! Will absolutely be a 2023 favorite. I despised The Scarlet Letter and MUCH prefer this 😂#booked2023 #moderntakeonaclassic
I began this book last weekend on audio, I‘m very much enjoying it so far, although I really don‘t like the flashback scenes to the witch trials, and I think the novel could have stood on its own with just the story of Isobel as she tells it.
