A beautifully woven novel that reimagines the life of Hester Prynne, the iconic character from Nathaniel Hawthorne's *The Scarlet Letter.* Set in 1856, the story follows Hester, a talented seamstress grappling with her past and the stigma of her scarlet letter. As she navigates the constraints of Puritan society, Hester embarks on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, ultimately finding her voice and purpose.

Laurie Lico Albanese crafts a rich and immersive narrative that captures the essence of Hester's struggles and triumphs. The lush descriptions and historical detail brought the setting to life, while the exploration of themes such as resilience and identity resonated deeply. Albanese's portrayal of Hester as a complex, multifaceted character added depth to the story, making it not just a retelling, but a fresh and compelling perspective. A captivating read for both fans of classic literature and those seeking a story of strength and redemption.

I listened to the audiobook for Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese. I both loved the story and narration. It was an intriguing account of the lady that inspired Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter.
Isobel is an immigrant to the US and meets Nathanial Hawthorne and.becomes his inspiration for the story. There is another storyline involving The Underground Railroad and women being accused of witchcraft. I thoroughly enjoyed it all!

I loved this book. Reading this book made me read A Scarlet Letter which was never required in high school. I am happy I read both.

I regret not reading this sooner. Although I have never read The Scarlett Letter, I am familiar enough with the story. Hester is an incredibly well written, beautiful, captivating book!

Hester, by Laurie Lucia Albanese, is a novel of historical fiction influenced by Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. Using known facts regarding Hawthorne and the history of Salem, Massachusetts, Albanese has imagined a possible inspiration for the famous novel..

I was thoroughly engrossed while reading about this time period and the daily life of women during that time period. While there are a few points that seem to be added with no real connection to the plot, Hester is very well-written and will engage fans of historical fiction. Highly recommended!

I read this book several years ago before it was first released. I did not submit my review at that time because I simply did not enjoy this book. The description and my enjoyment of The Scarlet Letter caused me to pick it up but I was disappointed.

Thanks to Netgalley.com for this novel. Hester is an extraordinary novel that had me enthralled from the very beginning. It felt grounded in truth and in history. I enjoyed this more than the source material and feel that others will too.

A hauntingly beautiful re-tell of the Scarlet Letter. This book gives us Hester & Nathaniel's version of their love story and it is a beautiful one.

I liked this a lot. I loved the settings of Scotland and then Salem. Isobel is such an interesting character. She goes through so much and feels things so deeply. The aspect of synesthesia added so much to it and I love how the colors were woven in. I am glad I finally read this one, and it made me miss Salem so much! Definitely recommend for lovers of Salem or The Scarlet Letter.

A vivid reimagining of the woman who inspired Hester Prynne, the tragic heroine of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, and a journey into the enduring legacy of New England's witchcraft trials. Isobel Gamble is a young seamstress carrying generations of secrets when she sets sail from Scotland in the early 1800s with her husband, Edward. An apothecary who has fallen under the spell of opium, his pile of debts have forced them to flee Edinburgh for a fresh start in the New World. But only days after they've arrived in Salem, Edward abruptly joins a departing ship as a medic––leaving Isobel penniless and alone in a strange country, forced to make her way by any means possible.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this copy of "Hester."

Since high school, Nathaniel Hawthorne has intrigued me so it's always interesting to read novelizations of his life.

In "Hester," author Albanese imagines a love story that serves as Hawthorne's inspiration for "The Scarlet Letter." Hawthorne is a troubled author who feels trapped by the bounds of current societal rules and his own ancestors' role in the Salem witchcraft trials. Hester is a young wife who has been abandoned by her husband.

But even in the 1800's, what has Salem really learned from the tragic events of 100 years ago?

Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese is a captivating read for anyone who delights in historical fiction, atmospheric storytelling, and the exploration of female creativity, ambition, and desire, as it masterfully weaves together themes of love, sailing, and the struggles of women accused of witchcraft in 19th-century America.

For fans of the Scarlet Letter, Hester was well worth the journey. I absolutely fell in love with Isobel as a character and her growth. From leaving her family to travel to the new world, from taking a chance on not one but two men, and taking her talents and knowing her worth. She is a powerhouse of a character

The plot was incredibly unique and even though it had been years since I read The Scarlet Letter, I was Right back in it. The concept was brilliant and I hope The author pursues more unique ideas such as this.

4.5 stars.

With lyrical prose and rich detail, "Hester" follows Isobel, a seamstress and dress designer newly arrived from Scotland, as she navigates the intricate social landscape of Salem, offering a fresh perspective on the origins of Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic, "The Scarlet Letter."

Isobel emerges as a compelling and resilient figure, challenging prejudices with unwavering determination. She is absolute magic both literally and figuratively as she strives to assert her independence and shape her own destiny.

Albanese skillfully navigates the intricate web of societal expectations and biases of the times, particularly those who are considered outsiders or the 'have-nots'. Beautifully written and well-researched, Albanese sheds light on the struggles of women who dared to defy convention in a male-dominated society.

This is a must-read for fans of historical fiction.

I did NOT enjoy The Scarlet Letter - one of my least favorite books of all time. However, I VERY MUCH enjoyed this one! I love this very speculative look at the classic is not only fleshed out, but brings in so many more elements for a totally new and much richer experience. It's so good it almost makes me want to give The Scarlet Letter another try....almost...

This cover is what initially drew me in. I haven’t read The Scarlett Letter since high school but found this to be very interesting, and imaginative. I am fascinated by the Salem witch trials so this felt like a little dip into an imagined version of that history. The ending wasn’t as strong as I’d hoped, but I still enjoyed!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read Hester.
This is a historical fiction novel. But, it had a dash of fantastical elements to it. Isobel’s story made me keep reading. And the events that were taking place in the real Salem made the story flow easy for me. I really enjoyed it.

Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese. Pub Date: October 2022. Rating: 3 stars. Set in differing time periods, this novel spans continents and connects family members during a time when women struggled to have a voice. Isobel Gamble is the descendent of Isobel Gowdie, a person who sees colors associated with letters. Isobel Gamble seeks a new life in America, but becomes immersed in history through Nathaniel Hawthorne who is struggling with his own demons/past family history associated with the Salem Witch Trials. At times I really enjoyed this novel, but other times I found it really hard to follow. I think the premise was intriguing, but the execution was a little confusing. Overall, solid choice for historical fiction readers. Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #hester

Ending March with a 5 ⭐️ book! I LOVED Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese. Hester is an imagining of the woman behind Hester Prynne, of The Scarlet Letter. In Hester, we have Isobel Gamble, wife of opium addict, seafaring apothecary/doctor, Edward, left alone in her new home, Salem. She’s only 19, and Scottish, which we learn at the time was considered one step above Negro to the old Salem families.

Isobel sees Nathaniel Hathorne, grandson of one of the magistrates of the Salem witch trials, whose family is still dealing with the aftermath of that tragic historical event. (Nathaniel added the “w” to his name, Hathorne, that is not a misspelling 😊)

Isobel and Nat are drawn to each other and enter into a life changing relationship.

I read The Scarlet Letter in high school and I loved it. This book reimagines if Hester Prynne had taken control of her future instead of becoming a victim to a man’s weakness. It’s full of feminism and women taking care of women. It also has African American history threaded throughout which I found fascinating.

If you love classic reimaginings, American literature, historical fiction with just a slight touch of magical realism, grab this book! It was everything I love in a story and it was beautifully told.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the advanced e-copy I received of #hester. This book published October 4, 2022 so it is available wherever you get your books.

I really enjoyed reading this book with my book club the read rovers book club. It was dark but so is the original peter pan story. We even got to speak to the author about the book and pick her brain about how she came up with the story.