I enjoyed this read. Very interesting well written book. I look forward to more by this author. Absolutely fantastic!

Loved the history of the Salem Witch Trials and the literary parallels to the Scarlet Letter. The characters were well developed and the setting seemed accurate

I remember reading "The Scarlet Letter' in high school and thought it pretty dull. I wanted to know more about Hester - her real thoughts and feelings, what really happened. This book answered all those questions. Written by a woman (which no offense men, but this book needed to be written by a woman to dive into the depths of 'Hester's' mind and emotions), the author reinvents the tale by using different names and characters, but is a metaphor for the famous novel. It even has Nathaniel Hawthorne as a character! With wonderful prose, historical attention to detail, and bringing to life the belief of those times that women who didn't fit in to societal expectations could be guilty of witchcraft, this was a book I could not put down until I finished the last page.

Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese is a remarkable retelling of Nathaniel Hawthorne' s Scarlet Letter encompassing Hawthorne as a character along with Isobel and others. The comparisons of the characters makes the novel enticing to read as the romance develops and Isobel struggles at every turn in her life. I wonder why the title Hester? I realize the significance in relation to the original Scarlet Letter, but to me it was confusing. It is a great read.

This is an amazing, beautifully written historical fiction! The story centers on Isobel Gamble, who represents the "muse" that may have been the inspiration for the character, Hester Prynne, in the Scarlet Letter. Laurie Lico Albanese weaves an enchanting tale, following Isobel from Scotland to Salem in the new United States. It is told in dual timelines, Isobel's story, and the story of her ancestor and namesake, Isobel, once tried as a witch. Isobel endures and experiences much, and we are able to see the world as it was then through the vivid colors, that she both sees and stitches. Isobel is one of those characters that will long be remembered for her strength, love, and determination. I simply loved this book! I did receive a complimentary copy from Netgalley and the publisher and I am so glad that I did. It is one of my favorite books this year.

I know that not all high schoolers love classic novels they’re forced to read, but The Scarlet Letter was one of my favorites in my teen years. For a lot of us, Hester is one of the first feminist characters we come across in a high school curriculum written by old white guys. I was really excited to be approved for this arc to see a modern retelling of this strong character.

I loved getting all of the backstory about Isobel, the “Hester” inspired character. We see where she grows up and how her mother tries to tame her spirit in an attempt to protect her. We also see how she saves herself and her husband before they immigrate to Salem, and then how she uses her intelligence and skill to keep herself afloat when her husband abandons her. I appreciate the inclusion of Black characters and their relationship with Isobel, and how slavery and the Underground Railroad are incorporated into the story. It was great to see those topics addressed head on, though many stories centered around that time make it seem as if it wasn’t a relevant issue in the north.

Definitely pick up this book! If you disliked The Scarlet Letter, this is a fresh take. If you loved Hester like I did, its great to learn more about her.

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

First off, Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Fans of a Scarlet Letter may be drawn to the synopsis of the story. The book was just honestly not for me. Although I am usually a fan of historical fiction, I just could not get into this book. The pacing was too slow for me and I often felt like it was a chore to get through a chapter.

I wish I could have been drawn into the story line more. The writing was done well, and the concept is interesting. The plot was just weak and wasn’t strong enough to hold my interest.

This might be a good fit if you like slower pacing and taking your time with your reading. I really wish I loved this!

3 stars out of 5

Fans of The Scarlett Letter will be fascinated with this imaginative take on the possible inspiration for the story. Hester tells the story of a young woman struggling to navigate her future, while honoring her past. Hester is peppered with historical accounts and references deftly woven into an intriguing narrative.

Here's the story of the inspiration behind the character Hester Prynne is Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic tale The Scarlet Letter. It's a pleasant trend to see "classic stories" retold from an alternative point of view, in this case the female point of view. This book does a very good job of this although I don't much like Nathaniel Hawthorne anymore after the read It would be good for the reader to review/familiarize the original book.
I loved reading the story of Isobel Gamble. The story line was so interesting and consuming. The subplot of her ancestor accused of witchcraft seemed a little distracting detail. It did serve to counterpoint the history of the Hawthorne (Hathorne) family.
The book is very well written and the characters are memorable.
There is a lot of period detail for the historical fiction fan. I particularly enjoyed the stories of Mercy and Zeke with respect to how African Americans/slaves were viewed at the time in Massachusetts.
The ending of the story was enchanting and all the reader could wish for!
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for a honest review. .

Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese is a work of art and an instant classic. I felt the same bliss that I felt reading Hawthorne as an adult. I love this book.

In a reimagination of Nathaniel Hawthorne's inspiration for his novel, Scarlet Letter, a family in 1800's Scotland, still agonize about events involving a relative ( Isobel Gowdie) that occurred during King James' notorious witch hunts. Isobel Gamble a descendent of the accused witch, marries and leaves Scotland with her husband, Edward, to make a new life in the colonies. Isobel who is clever with a needle and thread, is instrumental in saving the life of the ship's captain during their travels. The captain presents her with fabrics and thread hoping to help her realize her ambition of opening her own seamstress shop. When Isobel's husband suddenly leaves her to fend for herself, she finds work in a dress shop doing piece work helping her to survive. Friendless and alone, she finds herself drawn to a dark stranger by the name of Nathaniel Hathorne. A forbidden romance ensues and she soon finds herself pregnant and all of her dreams of a life with Nathaniel evaporate. She survives with the help of her closest neighbors who help her escape with her newborn child.

The characters in this book are well written and I enjoyed it immensely. The undercurrent of witchcraft haunts the main character and compels Nathaniel to swear she has bewitched him when he finds himself ensnared in her unwanted pregnancy. Thank you St. Martin's press for allowing me to read an Arc

Thank you to NetGalley for offering me Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese for my honest feedback.

I have a vague understanding of The Scarlet Letter but never read it before, I was hopeful that my basic knowledge of the storyline would be all that I needed to read Hester and I was correct, all that was needed was a very basic understanding of what inspired this origin story of Nathanial Hawthorne's infamous book. Once I started Hester, I could not put it down. The story grabbed me right from the start and all I wanted to do all weekend was read Isobel's story. I felt the pacing of the story was perfect but the author was descriptive enough that I felt as though I went on this journey with Isobel; I could feel what she felt and I could see what she saw. I look forward to reading The Scarlet Letter next to put all the pieces together from this book.
This story follows Isobel, a women who is a talented seamstress and embroiderer. She can also see colors when people speak and because her ancestor, was accused of being a witch for having the same gift, Isobel is told to hide this gift. Who follow Isobel as she gets married and moves to Salem from Europe. Once in Salem, Isobel story unfolds. This book will stay with me for many weeks to come.

Based on The Scarlet Letter. Set in Scotland and Salem. Incorporates the Salem witch trials and the underground railroad. Beautifully written. Is much more than I expected. A truly wonderful novel and a must read for all historical fiction fans. Enjoyed every minute if the read

Thank you to author Laurie Lico Albanese and NetGalley for granting me an ARC if this book awesome book in return for my honest opinion!

Thanks to St. Martins press for this early copy. Publish date: Oct. 4, 2022.

This historical fiction creates a muse and background for Nathaniel Hawthornes “The Scarlet Letter.” Even if you don’t remember much about The Scarlet Letter, you’ll enjoy this book. Set in 1800 Scotland and then Salem you follow the story of an immigrant woman trying to make her way in the new world, with some backstory that ties back to witchcraft trials in Salem and Scotland.

Overall, beautifully written and strong story line. For historic fiction lovers- this one falls further in the fiction lane, with less historical backing.

Hester Prynne is an iconic character in literature. Nathaniel Hawthorne's books are known to be related to his life. No one has been able to find who 'The Scarlet Letter' is based on. This historical fiction tries to find an answer. Who was Hester Prynne and what was her relationship to Nathaniel Hawthorne. The story was well written and did make sense as a possible relationship. It takes place in Salem which we all know from the witch trials. Will the real Hester be considered a witch? All will be answered in the story.

If you have always wondered about Hester Prynne then you will enjoy this novel. In the time period the world was a hard place for a woman alone. How to make a living and get along in a world where only men could hold jobs. I would recommend reading this book.

Thank you to #netgalley, @LaurieLicoAlbanese, and @StMartinsPress for a copy of this book.

I really enjoy retellings with different perspectives and this one was done very well. I enjoyed the writing style, I think I would of enjoyed it even if I had not been a fan of the Scarlet Letter already and would like to read more by, Laurie Lico Albanese.

The thing to remember is that this a work of fiction - it is the author’s imagined story of a possible inspiration for Hawthorne’s Hester Prynne. And as a work of, I found it enjoyable.

This is what historical fiction should read like! I loved this dual timeline and the locations were amazing. Characters were great, loved this!

"Hester" appealed to me because of its concept — it is an imaginative take on The Scarlet Letter that focuses on an imagined woman named Isobel Gamble. While this book didn't end up being a favorite, I found the idea of synesthesia as interpreted witchcraft the most compelling part of this novel. It was a brilliant tie-in and I loved the vivid descriptions of Isobel's "colors."

Where this book lost me was in its pacing and its characters. Though the author beautifully uses imagery, it felt like it dragged at times where I would have preferred more plot. The romance between Nat and Isobel also didn't interest me; I found it hard to empathize with her as a character and was frankly a little baffled by her obsession with Nat.

It would have been interesting if this was a "what if" retelling of The Scarlet Letter, such as — what if Nat had stayed with Isobel and supported her? What if The Scarlet Letter was an exploration of his other options rather than a retelling of him showing the same weakness that Dimmesdale showed? In some ways, it felt more like a feminist retexturing of the original novel rather than an addition. Which, to be fair, I think if that was the intention, it was very successful in that route — it just wasn't what I personally was hoping for from "Hester."

Overall, this is a strong novel that I think many will love! It takes a more empowering angle than the original novel and though it is centered around a Scottish woman, it does not skirt around issues of colonialism, racism, and slavery in the early US.

3/5 stars.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I enjoyed this book, though I had not read The Scarlet Letter and maybe missed some references to it. Isobel is a seamstress who is married to an older man, Edward, they leave Scotland for Salem in America to make their riches. On the ship to Salem, the captain of the ship falls seriously ill, Edward is an apothecary and he is able to surgically fix the captain and Isobel is able to sew the wound shut, saving his life. Edward is addicted to opium, part of the reason why they left Scotland, and he accepts a job from the captain of the ship they arrived on to sail to various ports to sell and buy goods, he expects to be gone for six months. Isobel is left on her own, but she makes good on her sewing skills and finds a job with a dressmaker which just barely keeps her alive. Along the way she meets Nathanial Hawthorne, at first casually, and then their attraction deepens and they start an intimate affair. Isobel falls in love with him and eventually tells him that, he rejects her and she is devastated. Not long after her husband returns and he is incensed to find her pregnant and he knows it is not his. He has a mad plan to collect the reward on some runaway slaves and wants her to help him. I really enjoyed the setting of this book and the author added details to bring the era to life. I would recommend. Thank you to #Netgalley and #St Martin's Press for the ARC.