A review by hevlav
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

dark reflective

3.5

Reading through this for the first time, I found myself viewing the story through both the modern lens and that of 1850 when the book was originally published. 

Viewed modernly, this is a waxing, dated piece rooted in a racist, Anglo, Christian-centric world view. However, it does hold some level of self awareness that recognizes these truths.. sometimes. 

Viewed within the context of its publishing date, I can very much see how this was a progressive piece for the time. The empathetic light - though fraught at best - Hester is cast in is far more than women in any other story I can think of for the time. 

I found it surprisingly readable and interesting. 
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