NathanielHawthorne

Hester: A Novel | Laurie Lico Albanese

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

Jerdencon I was listening to this one but didn‘t finish it before the library took it back! It was interesting and I have heard about people who have the color issue - I have to redownload it and finish it. 15h

Librarybelle I hope you‘ll be able to get it back soon, @Jerdencon ! 15h

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Librarybelle

Hester: A Novel | Laurie Lico Albanese

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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 ⬇

Librarybelle ...with an “A“ chiseled into the stone (photo is not mine but one available for fair use. I cannot find my photo). Link to information is below. I know it did not bother some readers, but for some reason, not acknowledging the existing information (or the existing suppositions) bothered me.

Link to Celebrate Boston website: http://www.celebrateboston.com/strange/scarlet-letter.htm

#LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead 1d

julieclair Wry interesting link! For me, the lack of acknowledgment of other information was not a problem. I didn‘t really take this seriously as a plausible story, but rather as pure entertainment, with loose ties to The Scarlet Letter. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but I can also see how, if I had taken it more seriously, I would have been bothered. 9h

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Librarybelle

Hester: A Novel | Laurie Lico Albanese

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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

Librarybelle Link from the Boston Athenaeum: https://bostonathenaeum.org/news/nathaniel-hawthorne/ 1d

Pogue I read the House of the Seven Gables. I Dont remember much about it, but I do remember the tour of the House of Seven Gables and the damage women‘s high heels did to the flooring. 15h

Librarybelle @Pogue That‘s so interesting! 14h

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Librarybelle

Hester: A Novel | Laurie Lico Albanese

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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

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Librarybelle

Hester: A Novel | Laurie Lico Albanese

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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

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Librarybelle

Hester: A Novel | Laurie Lico Albanese

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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

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Librarybelle

Hester: A Novel | Laurie Lico Albanese

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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

julieclair I think she lost her colors during times when she was depressed, or feeling suppressed. I did wonder why she couldn‘t see colors for some people. Looking forward to hearing others‘ thoughts. 9h

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Librarybelle

Hester: A Novel | Laurie Lico Albanese

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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

julieclair I love that Isobel was able to express her creativity in a world that put so many restrictions on women. I don‘t have a passion for any one creative endeavor, although I do enjoy needlework. I find it relaxing. 9h

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Librarybelle

Hester: A Novel | Laurie Lico Albanese

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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

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Librarybelle

Hester: A Novel | Laurie Lico Albanese

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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

PurpleyPumpkin I find synesthesia fascinating! And this is a thought-provoking question. My first thought is that it was instrumental in the shaping of her personality. From the time she was a young child, she was taught to hide this part of herself, largely for her own safety. She didn‘t even really understand it until she was much older. 19h

Librarybelle I like that, @PurpleyPumpkin ! Good thought! 15h

julieclair I had never heard of synesthesia. It‘s fascinating! And I loved how the descriptions of the colors associated with characters words gave clues to their character. 10h

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