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3.19 AVERAGE
3.19 AVERAGE
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
most interesting thing i learned is that the hating game starts out essentially paraphrasing a paragraph of this book lol
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
✰ 2.75
I like the main idea of the story but I felt like it was way to long
I like the main idea of the story but I felt like it was way to long
It’s grueling to read but worth it for miss Hester prynne
Nathaniel Hawthorne you crazy bitch you've done it again!
this might've been a five star, I have to think on it more... it's very flawed and there are many things I have mixed feelings about, but my god it compels me. these characters and their relationships all absolutely captivated me and Hawthorne's writing (though other reviewers vehemently disagree) is breathtakingly beautiful TO ME... so many of the scenes and images in this book are so haunting. will think about Arthur/Hester/Pearl all standing on the scaffold together under a meteor forever. and that forest scene! augh! AUGH! I also just always love a good dissection of Puritan insanity, it's a guilt and policing stronger than any other and the way that its consequences play out across all these characters is so well wrought. one thing about me, I love American romanticism/gothic so much forever and ever.
"It is a curious subject of observation and inquiry, whether hatred and love be not the same thing at bottom. Each, in its utmost development, supposes a high degree of intimacy and heart-knowledge; each renders one individual dependent for the food of his affections and spiritual life upon another; each leaves the passionate lover, or the no less passionate hater, forlorn and desolate by the withdrawal of his subject."
this might've been a five star, I have to think on it more... it's very flawed and there are many things I have mixed feelings about, but my god it compels me. these characters and their relationships all absolutely captivated me and Hawthorne's writing (though other reviewers vehemently disagree) is breathtakingly beautiful TO ME... so many of the scenes and images in this book are so haunting. will think about Arthur/Hester/Pearl all standing on the scaffold together under a meteor forever. and that forest scene! augh! AUGH! I also just always love a good dissection of Puritan insanity, it's a guilt and policing stronger than any other and the way that its consequences play out across all these characters is so well wrought. one thing about me, I love American romanticism/gothic so much forever and ever.
"It is a curious subject of observation and inquiry, whether hatred and love be not the same thing at bottom. Each, in its utmost development, supposes a high degree of intimacy and heart-knowledge; each renders one individual dependent for the food of his affections and spiritual life upon another; each leaves the passionate lover, or the no less passionate hater, forlorn and desolate by the withdrawal of his subject."
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In my mind I hate on classics till I read them and then I’m like ohhhhhhh it is classic for a reason!
The story itself was interesting and worth the read, however I struggled to enjoy Hawthorne's writing style.
In places the writing was so dry and long-winded that it was almost unbearable to read. Again, this was such a shame as a story about a shamed mother, her illegitimate daughter, and a beloved reverend suffering from inner turmoil, all residing in a highly religious town could have made for such an entertaining and enduring classic.
Another criticism I have of this text is the complete lack of feeling in this book. Even when deep emotions are express by one of the two main characters this is very much done in a tedious and affectless way. This seemed alien coming from two people who were apparently so wild with passion prior to the start of the story that they abandoned their morals and conceived a child.
Yes, there was plenty of scandal and tragedy within 'The Scarlet Letter', however the complete lack of emotion in the text kept me distanced from the characters to the point that I didn't really care whether or not they succeeded in repenting their sins or living out the remainder of their existence happily.
Though I appreciate what Hawthorne was trying to do I'm afraid that (for me personally) this story was just too dull to be enjoyable.
In places the writing was so dry and long-winded that it was almost unbearable to read. Again, this was such a shame as a story about a shamed mother, her illegitimate daughter, and a beloved reverend suffering from inner turmoil, all residing in a highly religious town could have made for such an entertaining and enduring classic.
Another criticism I have of this text is the complete lack of feeling in this book. Even when deep emotions are express by one of the two main characters this is very much done in a tedious and affectless way. This seemed alien coming from two people who were apparently so wild with passion prior to the start of the story that they abandoned their morals and conceived a child.
Yes, there was plenty of scandal and tragedy within 'The Scarlet Letter', however the complete lack of emotion in the text kept me distanced from the characters to the point that I didn't really care whether or not they succeeded in repenting their sins or living out the remainder of their existence happily.
Though I appreciate what Hawthorne was trying to do I'm afraid that (for me personally) this story was just too dull to be enjoyable.