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.

Could not stop listening

Hester is an amazing read/listen. I loved listening to the Scottish brogue which I certainly could not have imagined if I had simple read the story. I was captured by the incredible details the author put into each and every chapter. Isobel is a character you cheer for. I read The Scarlet Letter many moons ago as a high school student, and I did love the story and that made me want to read Hester to see what connection there would be. It kept me listening and loving every minute. You will not be disappointed with this book!! Enjoy

Unbelievably Good

TSL is hands-down my favorite classic ever. But even still, I never questioned Hester’s back story. Now I wonder why I didn’t.

My favorite part is that although Hester doesn’t need a hero, she deserves one.

I also love the historical figures from The Crucible (another American Lit fav) that appear for historical context and the way the author pulls witchcraft through in a new perspective.

Until the end

Half way through I was ready to stop listening. I stayed with it. In the end I was so emotional that I had to write about it in this review. I loved it and am so warm inside like being wrapped in the color blue. Read it curled up with a hot beverage and you time spent will be like a voyage to the past -red,yellow and orange will warm you until the blue wraps up with love.

HESTER FANTASTIC!!!!

This story and the narrator are FANTASTIC FABULOUS!! I loved it!!! For sure 5 stars if not more

One of my favorites in a long time!

So good I didn’t want it to end. I’ll look for more by this author.