A review by jedore
Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese

dark hopeful informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

"There's no New World anywhere on earth...no matter what we tell ourselves, men are all the same everywhere. We imagine a utopia, settle a new land, and declare that we're making something new and better. But it's folly, Isobel. Man's nature is full of shadows and dark desires. In every man's heart there is a coffin and a grave, that is what I know."

If you enjoy historical fiction about strong women navigating a world stacked against them, Hester delivers. While it follows a familiar formula for the genre, the writing was strong, and the fresh insights kept me engaged. More than anything, I loved Isobel, the main character—her resilience, artistry, and survival instinct made me deeply invested in her journey.

The novel’s biggest strength lies in its portrayal of women’s struggles across centuries, particularly regarding accusations of witchcraft. The story moves between the 1600s and 1800s, showing how these allegations were often used to control and silence women. The relationships between women in the book were complex—some lifted each other up, while others betrayed or tore each other down. And, as is so often the case in history, the men surrounding these strong women were weak, needing control to feel powerful.

Though the supernatural elements were light, the book had an almost spellbinding quality, weaving historical reality with folklore and imagination. While it didn’t completely blow me away, it was a solid, engaging read with a fresh take on the legacy of The Scarlet Letter.

Laurie Lico Albanese was inspired by the idea that Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter could have been influenced by a real woman. Her research into synesthesia, Scottish history, and women’s hidden contributions to literature shaped Hester into a unique blend of fact and fiction.

I had never heard of color synesthesia before reading this book. It’s a neurological condition where people associate colors with letters, numbers, or sounds—essentially experiencing one sense through another. In Hester, this trait added a rich layer to Isobel’s character and her artistic perspective.
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