I have read The Scarlet Letter at least a dozen times over the past 30 years – first in high school and again every few years. This is truly one of my favorite books and I am excited to share it with you! Nathaniel Hawthorne’s work is a cautionary tale against adultery, unwanted pregnancy consequences, and vengeance. However, it also serves as proof of what the justice system still doesn’t get right – those who have paid their dues still face shunning by the community and struggle to find a place in society.
I give The Scarlet Letter 4 out of 5 stars. Maybe it’s because I’ve read it so much, or maybe because I’ve changed in the three decades since I first read it, but it’s no longer a book I want to shout from the rooftops. With that said, Hawthorne presents characters anyone can relate to, as well as a story so relevant to today’s society. Hawthorne, the descendant of the judge who condemned so many to the witch trials in Salem, shows compassion through this story to the women condemned by society for adultery revealed by pregnancy when the men were able to escape unscathed. Every time I read this book, I am always in awe of the way he seemed ahead of his time by showing how Hester repented and worked to provide for her child on the outskirts of town while the town still shunned her – some only shunning her because they were told to being too young to remember the reason.
Given the discussions of adultery and death, this book may be best directed to more mature audiences over 13. As mentioned, I read this first in high school in what may have been my first book club – my English class. I think this book makes a great book club selection with so much to discuss and unpack in the symbolism and references!
I chose The Scarlet Letter for the Booklist Queen reading challenge prompt “re-read a favorite”. After reading the Practical Magic series and The Invisible Hour series by Alice Hoffman this year that all reference Hawthorne and his works, I felt drawn back to this book as soon as I saw the prompt! Was this required reading for you in high school, too? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this classic!
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What I’m Reading
- Current print book: Open Carry, Marc Cameron
- Current audio book: Love, Naturally, Sophie Sullivan
- Book I’m most looking forward to: Long After We’re Gone, Terah Shelton Harris
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