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gaypoetree's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4 stars: I liked it better than expected and would read it again!
Who decides what is wrong, and for whom? What is the “right” way to approach guilt? What are the consequences of accountability, and lack thereof? Can (and should) one take “accountability” for a wrong that wasn’t even all that wrong? These are the questions that most compelled The Scarlet Letter for me.
I’ve read some people talk about this book in terms of the relationship between the supposed sinners; to me, that may be the least important part. The narrative begins after the affair is concluded because, for Hawthorne, scandal is the least interesting part of the story; what he really cares about is interested parties cope afterward. I think that perspective is what makes this book worth reading over 200 years later. The scale of Hester Prynne’s sin seems even more minute now than it did in 1850. If anything, I think that helps the experience. In an age where everything is online forever, a metaphorical scarlet letter can get pinned to anyone at any time; the question of how harsh a treatment such a person might deserve, as well as how to go about living with it, is an important one to consider.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Colonisation, Racism, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Pregnancy
melike_k's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I enjoyed this book and it's very real commentary on the different treatment of men and women who commit the same sin/crime. This book made me feel so many different emotions for the different characters and was thought provoking. It is a period piece and therefore some of the meaning and morality may be lost on a modern audience but in my opinion still worth the read.
Hester is a well written character. You can see in equal parts the long-term negative effects of her label but also her strength in being able to live with the consequences and build a life for herself and her child. It is refreshing to not have the main female character wallow about her circumstances for the entirety of the book.
Hawthorne also writes Dimmesdale very well by the end of the book you hate him for not being able to face his own serbot consequences and living the whole of his life unscathed and even respected despite his sins <\spoiler>
Hawthorne also writes Dimmesdale very well by the end of the book you hate him for not being able to face his own serbot consequences and living the whole of his life unscathed and even respected despite his sins <\spoiler>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Sexism
Minor: Classism and Confinement
kristinetp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Would I read it again? No
I love Easy A so thought I'd give the book a go. I did like some parts of it, but I wouldn't really care to read it again. Really enjoy some of the themes though. I also just really felt for Hester the whole time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
anoushka05's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Classism, Infidelity, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Colonisation
kelisabeth's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Sexism
theblushbookworm's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I can recognize why The Scarlet Letter is a classic, but I found it to be a very slow, monotonous read. The concept is interesting, and the moral is important, but this is a classic I probably would’ve appreciated more in English class.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
avery_hutchinson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A heartbreaking story that was interesting to read from a sociological perspective
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
ifweweresorrows's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
this was a headache to get through but i didn’t completely hate it
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Death, Misogyny, Infidelity, and Sexism
leanneymu's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A compelling story that is almost completely obfuscated by Hawthorne's impenetrable prose. I'm glad I read it, but I didn't enjoy the act of reading it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Self harm, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
karinarob's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Violence