Hester

A Novel

By: Laurie Lico Albanese

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

"This well-written, well-researched, and masterfully performed novel provides satisfying listening."- AudioFile (Earphones Award Winner)

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.

Who is the real Hester Prynne?

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.

When she meets a young Nathaniel Hawthorne, the two are instantly drawn to each other: he is a man haunted by his ancestors, who sent innocent women to the gallows—while she is an unusually gifted needleworker, troubled by her own strange talents. As the weeks pass and Edward's safe return grows increasingly unlikely, Nathaniel and Isobel grow closer and closer. Together, they are a muse and a dark storyteller; the enchanter and the enchanted. But which is which?

In this sensuous and hypnotizing tale, a young immigrant woman grapples with our country's complicated past, and learns that America's ideas of freedom and liberty often fall short of their promise. Interwoven with Isobel and Nathaniel's story is a vivid interrogation of who gets to be a "real" American in the first half of the 19th century, a depiction of the early days of the Underground Railroad in New England, and atmospheric interstitials that capture the long history of "unusual" women being accused of witchcraft. Meticulously researched yet evocatively imagined, Laurie Lico Albanese's Hester is a timeless tale of art, ambition, and desire that examines the roots of female creative power and the men who try to shut it down.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press.

©2022 Laurie Lico Albanese (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Like the greatest historical fiction, Hester manages to make you believe utterly in its narrator, feel entirely that this story is real, and ground you in the day to day of a bustling 19th century world that promises the freedom of America while exacting its horrific steep price on the Native Americans it destroys, the slaves it brings in chains, and the women it crushes. It's a story about America itself, and the fury, righteousness and mercy in which it was formed." ––Gillian Flynn, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"In Hester, Albanese has masterminded a thoroughly immersive drama and a memorable, spirited heroine for the ages. Albanese's elegant writing captures the dynamic, sensual energy between Isobel and Nat in breathtaking detail. Isobel's appeal crosses cultural and generational borders to embody a timeless existential quest for the freedom to love and live as one pleases." ––Shelf Awareness

"Full of lush and colorful prose, this is a tale of one woman's determination and self-reliance amid the 'new world' of 19th-century Salem, which teems with festering secrets and alluring prospects. A message of resilience, Hester proves that a woman will do whatever she must to prosper, even when she is left with nothing but courage—and a few secrets of her own." ––Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary

Excellent!!

It's been a while since I've had a book that I couldn't put down. The story is of a young girl who's fate is determined by society rules during the 1800's. While life beats her down she fights back So glad I spent the credit.

Great book! Narrator is captivating

The story is beautiful and the narrator does an amazing job. Highly recommend trying the book out.

An American Classic Revisited

An intriguing backstory for The Scarlet Letter, Hester delivers an insightful, compelling tale of survival, loss, and redemption. Absolutely loved!
The narration by Saskia Mantle held is excellent, mesmerizing.

Captivating!

If you love a story with a story within a story — woven without predictability or trope — this is the book for you. I couldn’t stop listening.

Very entertaining historical information

Loved this book and the way it wove the history of Salem and Scotland through the story. I did not know the Scarlet letter story. Now I’ll have to read it too.

Wonderful Tale

This was an enjoyable, well written and well read story. Hearing it told in a Scottish accent was well worth the listen.

Hester

Interesting read. Loved the colors and the embroidery theme. Very well written. The description of the surroundings made this book seem so real.

LOVELY NARRATION!

Thoroughly enjoyed this engaging story of survival! The colors came to life as I listened to the story unfold. This is a great listen!

So good!

I really enjoyed everything about this story. The narrator did a great job with all of the characters as well as the authors beautiful language.

Fabulous listen!

I loved the reader and the story was engaging and couldn’t stop listening! Give this book a try!