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The Scarlet Letter

Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Lesser Know/Wilderness Classics

* 2025 Must Read Lesser Known Classics: Scheduled Reads
By Lesle , Appalachain Bibliophile · 72 posts · 196 views

last updated Sep 06, 2025 07:14AM

Wilderness Classics
By Lesle , Appalachain Bibliophile · 75 posts · 111 views

last updated 41 minutes ago

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Apr 07, 2017 Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... rated it really liked it

Shelves: classics, 1001-books

This book was a revelation to me! I have never read any books by Nathaniel Hawthorne, but was certainly aware of The Scarlet Letter. I knew that the main character was named Hester Prynne and that she was punished for adultery by being forced to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her chest. The premise never interested me. As a woman born and raised in the latter half of the 20th century it simply didn't appeal to me. In some estimations I am a feminist... I suppose it depends upon your definition of This book was a revelation to me! I have never read any books by Nathaniel Hawthorne, but was certainly aware of The Scarlet Letter. I knew that the main character was named Hester Prynne and that she was punished for adultery by being forced to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her chest. The premise never interested me. As a woman born and raised in the latter half of the 20th century it simply didn't appeal to me. In some estimations I am a feminist... I suppose it depends upon your definition of the word. But whatever it means I think that is the aspect of my personality that had me turning my nose up and away from reading this book. Boy was I wrong!

This story is about courage and strength. Hester Prynne may be one of my favorite characters I have met. She doesn't move away where she could raise her daughter without anyone knowing of her shame. She doesn't try to cover or hide the letter. In fact she seems to embrace it. She emblazons it with gold thread. She takes ownership of it, and Pearl is fascinated by it. There is a great deal of symbolism in this book. I won't be saying much of any of that, except one thing. I was greatly moved by the author's use of weather to highlight Hester's emotions. The sky cried when she cried. The sun shined brightly when she was frolicking in the grass with Pearl. The river becomes a character itself. Hawthorne's writing style is lyrical and poetic. At times it was difficult to follow as I was listening, and so I read a physical version along with the narrator. The combination of hearing the narrator and reading the words was wonderful.

Near the end of the story after the climax of the story I actually called out loudly to my husband: "I knew nothing about this book! I was all wrong, and I am so glad of it!" He laughed at me and asked me why. I could only say that the story surprised and the writing enchanted. Once again I am learning why certain books are considered classics. They are are not old and dull, but complex and true and beguiling. I have given myself a gift by committing to reading them!

"It is to the credit of human nature, that, except where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates. Hatred, by a gradual and quiet process, will even be transformed to love, unless the change be impeded by a continually new irritation of the original feeling of hostility." Chapter 8 ...more

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Apr 04, 2017 Barb rated it it was amazing

Shelves: women, fiction, own, made-into-movie, cd, 2017

I loved it!! I enjoyed reading a classic and the quality of the writing. its amazing to think that adultery was such a horrid crime, and she was so devoted to not even tell who the man was

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Sep 03, 2011 Edith rated it really liked it

I hated it in highschool but re-read it recently and loved it. Time sure does change a person.

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Mar 31, 2014 Mary Paul rated it liked it

Better than I had expected but still a bit strange.

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Oct 09, 2023 Jose Pacheco rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

"the outward guise of purity was but a lie, and that, if truth were everywhere to be shown, a scarlet letter would blaze forth on many a bosom"

“It is remarkable that persons who speculate the most boldly often conform with the most perfect quietude to the external regulations of society.” ...more

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