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A review by cindy_f
Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese
4.0
Hester is one of the most unique historical romance novels that I’ve read this year. The author introduces us to a young red-headed vibrant Scottish lass named Isobel Gamble. She has a rare gift where she experiences one sense through another, like seeing color for letters or sounds- “the wind was sometimes a fierce pink and a waterfall glistened silver.” Her mother warned her to keep her “gift” a secret for she may be accused of being a witch. She’s also encouraged to marry well. Shortly after marrying Edward, an apothecary, they sail off to the New World to start a new life. This is 1829, Salem, Massachusetts where the witch trials took place almost 200 years prior.
Isobel has a special talent for needlework and supports herself since her husband left on a ship shortly after their arrival. He has an opiate problem and has poor moral character. Isobel meets Nathaniel (Nat) Hathorne, a writer and develops a close friendship with him. She recognized in him someone with a good character. Though he is ashamed of his ancestors who took a major role in condemning innocent women to death during the witch trials. And she is afraid of her “seeing colors” and also had an ancestor who was on trial for witchcraft in the 17th century. The chapters that covered the witch trials were captivating.
The writing is remarkably descriptive and the crafting of the two story lines blended in nicely into an engaging story. I felt Isobel’s character was fully fleshed out. She was a woman who wanted freedom to desire. The writing of the secondary characters were also done very well. This is a fantastic inspirational story of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy in exchange for my review.
Isobel has a special talent for needlework and supports herself since her husband left on a ship shortly after their arrival. He has an opiate problem and has poor moral character. Isobel meets Nathaniel (Nat) Hathorne, a writer and develops a close friendship with him. She recognized in him someone with a good character. Though he is ashamed of his ancestors who took a major role in condemning innocent women to death during the witch trials. And she is afraid of her “seeing colors” and also had an ancestor who was on trial for witchcraft in the 17th century. The chapters that covered the witch trials were captivating.
The writing is remarkably descriptive and the crafting of the two story lines blended in nicely into an engaging story. I felt Isobel’s character was fully fleshed out. She was a woman who wanted freedom to desire. The writing of the secondary characters were also done very well. This is a fantastic inspirational story of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy in exchange for my review.