Short version: Hester reimagines the story of the woman who inspired Hester Prynne in “The Scarlet Letter.”

I had a slow start to this novel, as things start out pretty rough for our heroine, Isobel Gamble. Her mother dies when she is young, and then she is married off to a gross older man who makes a lot of bad choices. But once she began to connect to characters in her new community in Salem, I became more interested - I cannot handle when a story is ALL suffering.

Author Laurie Lico Albanese has a lot of interesting things to say about how men were able to treat women - and the ways that women were able to find ways to fend for themselves and each other that may have been overlooked by the history books. And why? Well, who often had the opportunity to write - and publish - the stories we tell from history?

Too many colors

Please, don’t twist my mind, don’t ruin the image I have of some historical dude or dude-ess by making up stuff. Yes, I have a beef with historical fiction that’s about a real person. No matter how hard I try to not believe everything I read, my mind soaks it up as truth. I would probably testify in court that some real so-and-so committed various crimes based on what my beloved novel (full of fake people) told me. Now that’s messed up, lol! And once the new image is sitting in my head, there’s no room for my original thoughts. Okay, this is me spewing mouthfuls of vagueness, which I hate doing. But if I spill, I could ruin the story for you because you’d know where it was going.

The book is set in 1829 and is a reimagining of a woman who was the inspiration for Hester Prynne, the tragic character in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter. The heroine of this book is Isobel, a seamstress who travels with her husband from Scotland to Massachusetts. She has synesthesia, which in her case means she sees colors where there aren’t any. In those days, this condition wasn’t known to be a real thing, so everyone thought she was witch-y. She had to “hide her colors.” The folks in her new town didn’t like her because she came from Scotland; she was an outsider. It was interesting (and sad) to see the prejudice. The book also has a side plot of the witch trials from the 1600s.

Joy Jar:

-Even though needles and thread (women’s work) were in my face the whole time, the writer was careful to elevate the story from a mere drab Domestic Donna drama to a pretty cool Amy the Artist tale. You start to see Isobel’s gloves and dresses and capes as artistic pieces.

-Isobel was strong and smart and a go-getter. I’m always a sucker for a feisty woman character.

-The other characters—her husband, her friends, her lover—are all interesting and well-drawn.

-The writing is accessible, and it’s smooth sailing language-wise.

-The story picked up in the middle, and the ending was exciting.

-The talk about slavery and the Underground Railroad was illuminating.

Complaint Board:

-Don’t make me think bad thoughts about people of the past! (I’ve already discussed this whine.)

-The side story about the witch trials was BOR-ING! Plus it was a case of been there, done that. I’m tired of witch stories. I know it was heinous, what they did to innocent women, but enough already. I was annoyed when the old story interrupted the main story, never a good sign. And it happened all the time.

-Isobel’s ability to see colors completely got on my nerves. The author went overboard describing the exact colors, Isobel’s exact experience. Too much detail. I wanted dialogue and drama.

-There was the annoying mention of herbs and faeries. I hate it when there is any woo-woo stuff going on. It was minimal, but I always pick up on it no matter how small, and it gets bigger in my head.

-Enough with the sewing already. I wanted people, not thimbles. It was sewing sewing sewing, love story, sewing sewing sewing. I wanted the love story front and center, not the other way around.

-Even though the writing was fine, it seemed too wholesome. Maybe it’s because the writing wasn’t in the least edgy, or maybe it’s just that I associate so much sewing with boring domesticity.

-Evil man, flawless woman. I get tired of the men always being the bad guys.

-I wasn’t hot to pick the book up, especially during the first half.

Bottom line:

This was a decent read, but the sewing and colors stuff definitely had too much air time. Give me the love story any day.

Oh, and by the way, you can enjoy this even if you didn’t ever read The Scarlet Letter. I read that book in high school and remember no details, only the gist. I think it enhanced my experience a bit, but no biggie.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

I loved this story. The authors writing is authentic. Telling a coming to America tale, Isobel comes to America with her husband. Once here his ways of addiction get them into more troubles than they had in Scotland. Isobel falls under the charms of a young Nathaniel Hawthorn. With bit of history about the witches and Salem Massachusetts I was quickly under the spell of Laurie Albanese

This is a unique premise for a book and I like the approach as well as the storyline. Full of myth, mysticism and intrigue. If you like historic fiction threaded with a bit of fantasy as a reader you will enjoy this book. Scotland, 17th century: Isobel Gowdie is four-years-old when her mother teaches her how to make letters with a needle. The letters are supposed to be black, but Isobel sees colors associated with letters, and stitches them according to her vision. When her mother smacks her knuckles, Isobel sees fear in her eyes. Fear, because her mother doesn’t want people to call Isobel crazy. A witch, and here, witches are hanged or burned. One-hundred-forty-years later, Isobel Gamble, descendent of Isobel Gowdie, is conscripted to tambour shop by her mother, a place without colors. But Isobel dreams to be a pattern-maker. She is taught to fear anything that hints at witchcraft. When she meets a man that promises her a sewing room of her own, she accepts his proposal. His poor decisions lead to the poorhouse, and later see them bound for America. As they arrive in the New World, Isobel quickly recognizes some opportunities, awakening her dream of embroidery pattern-making. Her path crosses with Nathaniel Hawthorne, and they feel an attraction from the first encounter. Isobel is a captivating character. She lives in a time when she is supposed to depend on a man, but she sees the New World as her opportunity. I really enjoyed this book. The writing flowed well and the story was easy to follow. Isobel was a strong female character who seemed mature beyond her years and the other characters were well fleshed out. There was a lot of historical information to do with slavery and the underground railway as well as prejudice to do with class and I was left feeling thankful that I didn't live in those times.

Thank you NetGalley, Laurie Lico Albanese, and St. Martin’s Press

Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese is the story of Hester Prynn from the Scarlet Letter, it is a fictional take on who Hester may have been.

Isobel is a wife, seamstress, and descended from witches. While Isobel's husband is off on an adventure, Isobel's life collides with Nathaniel Hawthorn. This is Isobel's story.

It is not necessary to be familiar with THE SCARLET LETTER to read this book but I do think it would help.
It was interesting enough, though slow moving at times. If you enjoy historical fiction, it is a definite read.

This book imagines a story around the inspiration for Hester Prynne from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. Isobel Gamble is a Scottish seamstress who flees Glasgow and sails to the New World in the early 1800s with her apothecary husband Edward. It is absolutely beautifully written and was a page turner for me. It is about love, morality, secrets and freedom. I also loved reading about Salem, Massachusetts during that time. I remember visiting Hawthorne’s birthplace (which is a museum now) after reading The House of Seven Gables and The Scarlet Letter in high school. I find that these retellings of classics either work well or fall flat. This one is superbly done! Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC - it is available now.

Hester is the colorfully imagined story of the woman who might have just inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. Beautifully written, and exceptionally described, I felt like I was back in the 1600’s and 1800’s with a simpler way of life but with much greater restrictions on women’s rights. Romantic and intriguing, I was completely engrossed in the story. Highly recommend you read this book!

Hester is a historical fiction novel with a touch of witch craft. Based on the events surrounding the publication of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" this story gave color and personality to both Nat and his relationships. Told from two historical points it paints a romantic and tragic story. Lovely book all around.

A beautifully written, Scarlet Letter adjacent, novel. The author's writing was incredible throughout the book, there were so many lines that resonated with me and that I highlighted. I enjoyed learning about Salem in the 1800s and embroidery. Finally, while I liked the book, the last few pages made it all come full circle to me and made it an amazing literary experience.

A gifted seamstress possessing sensory gifts, Isobel is in the unfortunate circumstance of having emigrated from Scotland to Massachusetts with her much older, opium addicted husband who she later loses, literally, unsure whether he’s dead or alive—thus condemning her to a sort of limbo. Alone and penniless, Isobel falls back on her talents as a visionary seamstress in order to survive.

She finds herself drawn to Nat Hawthorne, a man with haunting family secrets of his own with whom she becomes romantically involved…..all under the watchful eye of a community suspicious of her unusual talent with the needle as well as what Hawthorne calls her power to enchant and bewitch.

Interwoven with the story of Isobel and Nathan is a graphic probe into what constituted a real American in the early 1800’s as well as a look at the beginnings of the Underground Railroad in New England.

HESTER is a thoroughly engrossing read and should particularly appeal to lovers of imaginative historical fiction as it presents the trials and tribulations of an extraordinary nineteenth century woman attempting to survive in a mans world.

I enjoy reading the backstory of famous novels, and I found the recent book by Laurie Lico Albanese provided a great prologue to “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This novel is frequently required reading in high school. Adults can recall the “Scarlet A” worn by the woman in the story, even if they remember little else. This recently released novel explores the woman’s side of the story.

All the main characters have a secret to protect: opium addiction, seeing words as colors, transporting illegal goods, illicit love affairs. The book expands Hester’s world beyond just her interaction with Nate, encompassing the struggles of surviving in a new world, as an independent woman, with a dangerous secret.

Hester has an unusual gift, a talent with the needle and a unique understanding of color. Telling people that the letter A is red or a word has a certain color causes fear among others, with the threat of being labeled a witch. As a child, Hester’s mother tells her to hide her colors. As a young woman, Hester finds a use for her gift and she finds others who understand it.

The author shares the tension between classes, strangers, and men and women with sharpness. Her storyline propels the reader to learn what happens to Hester as the drama unfolds.

The book contains some interesting historical points, also. The genetic medical condition of experiencing one sense with another, synesthesia, was first recognized in the 1800s. Approximately 1% of the population has this condition, although it is more common for music to be heard as shapes. Another point is that researchers can find a key source or incident sparking all of Nathanial Hawthorne’s books except “The Scarlet Letter”. The creation of a possible rationale for this tale is the aim of author Laurie Lico Albanese. This is similar to the development of the storyline “Carnegie’s Maid” by Marie Benedict. I hope you will read this novel, and keep an eye out for “Hester” as a SCLSNJ Historical Fiction Book Discussion next Fall.

I went into Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese blind. I had no idea what it was about. Most of the times, I think it's the best way to go into a book. In this case however, I wished I would have at least read the synopsis. Had I done that, I would have passed on this book. I barely remember reading The Scarlett Letter in school, though I do know the premise. And I know I didn't really care for the book itself. Hester is the imagined "real story" of the inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne's books. At least the cover is pretty.

With a unique voice, Ms. Albanese deftly transports readers to both Scotland with its heritage of folklore and followed a young woman to Salem, Massachusetts in the 1800's with its rich history of the Salem Witch Trials. While not really a dual timeline story, parts of the story are told through a series of flashbacks that lay a foundation that influence the beliefs of an eclectic cast of characters.
I loved that the heroine proves to be a strong woman in a male-dominated society. Knowing she needs to hide abilities that others will mistake as witchcraft, she forges her own path in the New World. An original retelling of The Scarlet Letter that will hold readers captive until the last page has been read.

Full disclosure- I read part from a print copy and some from the audiobook. Totally engaged by the beautiful reading of narrator and the atmospheric prose.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I thought this was going to be a retelling of the Scarlet Letter which I read in high school but it was more a fictional account of events that influenced Hawthorne’s writing of it. In some ways it’s similar to Hamnet which had a lot of success. I struggled to get into it, but think a lot of people would like it.

“She sees the mans words in the color of evil.”

“My colors had been my inspiration, and then my curse, and after they left me there was no cure for my sadness.”

I will admit this was a straight up seasonal cover buy. That cover is stunning! I am really glad I chose this one. Hester is a vivid reimagining of the woman who inspired Hester Prynne, the heroine of Nathanial Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. This book had it all! Apothecaries, adultry, witchcraft, synesthesia, healing, Salem, strong women, love. I absolutely adored Hester as I love reading about strong women in a time where strong women weren’t allowed to be outwardly strong…but managed to do so despite societal constraints.

The narration of my BOTM audiobook was wonderful and I found myself immediately immersed in Hester’s world. She was such a talented and intelligent character and I loved her trajectory as the story progressed. What a fabulous book!

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. The audiobook copy is my own.

This cover is so beautiful, I just HAD to read it.

I will admit that it took me about half of the book to truly get into it. But I am so glad I continued. We may think we are past the time of women punished for the sins of men. For being blamed when something terrible happens or deemed witches. But we are not. The Scarlet Letter is just as relatable when retold in a new fashion as it was when it was written.

I was impressed with how perfectly Hester ties into to The Scarlett Letter. This is one of those historical fiction options that will grab most readers. I honestly couldn't picture a better ending for Albamese's story.

This book has an interesting premise. What if The Scarlet Letter was inspired by an actual person and what if the author Nathaniel Hawthorne based the character of Dimesdale on himself? This book is fiction but is well researched and accurate to the time period.

This book was a slow read for me. I liked Isobel's family backstory and the way her "colors" were described. I was also interested in her trip to Salem. For me Nathaniel and their relationship was the least interesting part of the book. Once past that part of the book though, it was an easy read to the end.

What I liked about the book:
-I loved the female friendships and how important and impactful they are throughout
-Mercy is an amazing well written character
-Isobel's growth-she moves to Salem at 19 married to a much older man who has his own issues
-Captain Darling-yes he is darling and love that there are some really great strong supportive male characters because there are a lot of awful men in this book (just like there were and still are awful men)
-Isobel's colors-I really loved that this thing that she was taught to hide and told to feel shame about was really this thing to inspire pride and strength
-The accurate depiction of slavery and what "freedom" looked like during that time period
-the accurate depiction of prejudice against Irish immigrants

The ending third of the book really made the middle worth getting through for me. I'd rate this book as a 3.5 and I look forward to reading more by this author. I also enjoyed the authors note at the end talking about Hester from The Scarlet Letter. She described her as a feminist heroine and badass single mother and I think that is a wonderful way to view that character and am glad that she gets her own book told from her own point of view.

I absolutely loved this book. What a cool spin on The Scarlet Letter. Isobel is now one of my most favorite literary characters. This book will stick with me for a long time!

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I saw the cover and title and I knew immediately that I wanted to read this book. There are so many things that called to me - Massachusetts, witches, Isobel's colors, etc - it was almost overwhelming. I've always been fascinated by The Scarlett Letter and this imagining of how the story came to be is truly special.

My grandmother used to hook rugs as a hobby and this plot is thick and intricate in the same wonderful way as that process. At first, it's a hot mess. Slowly, bits and pieces start to bloom and the picture is more tangible. And it keeps going like that until it's finished and you can step back to see the whole, complete thing. It's a work of art and I loved the experience of reading it! The voice Laurie imbued Isobel with is captivating; I devoured this story.

There's so much going on but all of it is integral to the story. Nat Hathorne and his haunting history, Mercy and the black community of free people and slaves, Mrs. Silas and her society ways, all the witches - they're all tied together in a tangle from the very beginning. It never felt like the story was trying to do too much.

It broke my heart, yet left me with hope and an eye on the future.

I'll be recommending this to everyone!