55 pages • 1 hour read
Hester
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Book Brief
322
Novel • Fiction
Salem, Massachusetts • 1820s
2022
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Hester follows Scottish seamstress Isobel Gamble as she moves to Salem, Massachusetts and begins an affair with a young Nat Hathorne before he begins his career as famous author Nathaniel Hawthorne. In this feminist reimagining of The Scarlet Letter, Albanese fashions Isobel as the inspiration for Hester Prynne. The novel references sexual assault and slavery and depicts misogyny, addiction, racism, maternal and infant death, injury, and violence.
Mysterious
Dark
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
44,132 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese captivates readers with its imaginative reimagining of literary history and richly drawn characters. Praised for lush prose and evocative settings, the narrative shines but occasionally dips in pacing. Some found its thematic ambitions overshadow character development. Overall, a compelling read for historical fiction enthusiasts.
Who Should Read Hester?
Fans of historical fiction and feminist retellings, particularly those who enjoyed The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne or The Paris Wife by Paula McLain, will find Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese captivating. This book appeals to readers drawn to complex female protagonists and richly woven historical narratives.
44,132 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
322
Novel • Fiction
Salem, Massachusetts • 1820s
2022
Adult
18+ years
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