From the Bookshelf of McMaster ECC Lit List…

[close] This book falls under "loathe" for me. Despite being a quick, easy, read, I found the characters to be quite annoying, especially Hester Prynne. Hester is among the first female protagonists in American literature, but for me, there was nothing exceptional about her. The scarlet letter is supposed to be punishment for her adultery, but instead of learning her lesson, she treats it like a badge of honour. Her husband, who is presumed dead, was someone whom she married more out of convenience, rather than love. Also, by choosing to keep her baby's father secret and not being honest with her husband when he'd asked, was (to me) disrespectful of the character. I have zero desire to pick up this book again, however I've heard the film adaptation "Easy A' was pretty good. But then, improving on this book wouldn't take much... (Exec. Tilly, "Love It or Loathe It")