Hester

A Novel

De: Laurie Lico Albanese

Narrado por: Saskia Maarleveld

"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

Reseñas de la Crítica

"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

Fascinating backstory of The Scarlett Letter

I loved everything about this book. The author imagines how Nathaniel Hawthorne came to create Hester Prynne, one of the most famous adultresses in American fiction. Hawthorne is not the good guy in this novel.

Really fun listen

Good story. Easy to follow while driving. Really enjoyed this book! It was engaging and fun.

Sins of the fathers, and Scarlet Letters

A Scottish woman, new to America, and Nathaniel Hawthorne, author and original Salem family member, live amongst the ghosts of their families' past.

This book is worthy of your time

Loved the historical overlay. Well researched in regarding time and places. I'll be looking for more of this author's work. Thank you for this lovely piece.

Outstanding!

Beautifully crafted and written - a courageous story of survival and the birth of Hawthorne’s famous classic work. Fabulous!

Interesting and fun!

Listened to this whole painting a bathroom!

This was recommended as a ton 10 of 2022 by audible. Although I agree with the rating, I didn't give it a 5 star rating. I didn't like the ending, felt hanging a bit. Otherwise, it was a good story and interesting concept interwoven into the Salem zeitgeist regarding the historical landscape. I would recommend, great on audible!

Obsessed!

My new favorite book. The narrator did an amazing job too. Loved everything about it.

Wonderful perspective!

I enjoyed everything about this book. The story and narrator were great.... loved the ' back story' of the Scarlet Letter. I highly recommend this book!

LOVED THIS BOOK!!

I couldn’t stop listening!! A story of love, betrayal, pain, redemption, survival and strength. This brought me joy, and is a book I will read again. 💕

Loved it

Clever story with true heroines. Enjoyed the complicated love story and survival. I learned a lot about Salem as well. Somewhere I’ve been to many times but wasn’t aware of its secrets. Narrator was excellent.