Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by theamyleblanc
Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese
5.0
I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I saw the cover and title and I knew immediately that I wanted to read this book. There are so many things that called to me - Massachusetts, witches, Isobel's colors, etc - it was almost overwhelming. I've always been fascinated by The Scarlett Letter and this imagining of how the story came to be is truly special.
My grandmother used to hook rugs as a hobby and this plot is thick and intricate in the same wonderful way as that process. At first, it's a hot mess. Slowly, bits and pieces start to bloom and the picture is more tangible. And it keeps going like that until it's finished and you can step back to see the whole, complete thing. It's a work of art and I loved the experience of reading it! The voice Laurie imbued Isobel with is captivating; I devoured this story.
There's so much going on but all of it is integral to the story. Nat Hathorne and his haunting history, Mercy and the black community of free people and slaves, Mrs. Silas and her society ways, all the witches - they're all tied together in a tangle from the very beginning. It never felt like the story was trying to do too much.
It broke my heart, yet left me with hope and an eye on the future.
I'll be recommending this to everyone!
I saw the cover and title and I knew immediately that I wanted to read this book. There are so many things that called to me - Massachusetts, witches, Isobel's colors, etc - it was almost overwhelming. I've always been fascinated by The Scarlett Letter and this imagining of how the story came to be is truly special.
My grandmother used to hook rugs as a hobby and this plot is thick and intricate in the same wonderful way as that process. At first, it's a hot mess. Slowly, bits and pieces start to bloom and the picture is more tangible. And it keeps going like that until it's finished and you can step back to see the whole, complete thing. It's a work of art and I loved the experience of reading it! The voice Laurie imbued Isobel with is captivating; I devoured this story.
There's so much going on but all of it is integral to the story. Nat Hathorne and his haunting history, Mercy and the black community of free people and slaves, Mrs. Silas and her society ways, all the witches - they're all tied together in a tangle from the very beginning. It never felt like the story was trying to do too much.
It broke my heart, yet left me with hope and an eye on the future.
I'll be recommending this to everyone!