55 pages • 1 hour read
Laurie Lico AlbaneseHester
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Hester follows Scottish seamstress Isobel Gamble as she moves to Salem, Massachusetts and begins an affair with a young Nat Hathorne before he begins his career as famous author Nathaniel Hawthorne. In this feminist reimagining of The Scarlet Letter, Albanese fashions Isobel as the inspiration for Hester Prynne. The novel references sexual assault and slavery and depicts misogyny, addiction, racism, maternal and infant death, injury, and violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese captivates readers with its imaginative reimagining of literary history and richly drawn characters. Praised for lush prose and evocative settings, the narrative shines but occasionally dips in pacing. Some found its thematic ambitions overshadow character development. Overall, a compelling read for historical fiction enthusiasts.
Who Should Read Hester?
Fans of historical fiction and feminist retellings, particularly those who enjoyed The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne or The Paris Wife by Paula McLain, will find Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese captivating. This book appeals to readers drawn to complex female protagonists and richly woven historical narratives.