The Scarlet Letter

by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Scarlet Letter cover
Good Books rating 4.27
Gothic
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £3.99–£9.99 Hardback • £10.99–£12.99
Bookshop
Format • £6.64–£10.44
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 5504
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9780393956535
  • Published: 1961-01-01
  • Formats: 13
  • Reviews: 3

Nathaniel Hawthorne's masterpiece, The Scarlet Letter, is set in a rigid Puritan society where a woman, Hester Prynne, is publicly shamed for her adultery and forced to wear a scarlet letter 'A' as a mark of her sin. The novel explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption through Hester's journey and the complex relationships she forms with her daughter, Pearl, and the enigmatic Reverend Dimmesdale. /n/nThe story delves into the psychological and emotional turmoil of its characters, offering a profound critique of the hypocrisy and harsh morality of the Puritan community. Hawthorne's rich, descriptive prose and intricate character development make this a timeless exploration of human nature and the consequences of societal judgment.

Reviews
I Would Rather Be Reading Blog · 2022-12-06
brilliant 4.50

The novel is considered a brilliant treasure despite a dry introduction. The themes are timeless and clearly translate to modern readers.

The reviewer found 'The Scarlet Letter' to be a brilliant treasure, despite a rather dry introduction. They appreciate how the themes of the novel are timeless and resonate with modern readers. The exploration of sin, guilt, and legalism is particularly noteworthy. The reviewer highlights the novel's enduring relevance and the depth of its themes, making it a valuable read.

Quick quotes

    Despite a rather dry introduction, I consider The Scarlet Letter to be quite a brilliant treasure.

    The themes of the novel clearly translate for modern readers.

    The exploration of sin, guilt, and legalism is particularly noteworthy.

Theresa Smith Writes · Theresa Smith · 2019-07-04
timeless 3.50

The novel is a challenging read but its core themes are timeless. The reviewer had a chuckle at the 'dry reading' but appreciates the novel's depth.

Theresa Smith acknowledges that 'The Scarlet Letter' is a challenging read, but she appreciates the timelessness of its core themes. She had a chuckle at the 'dry reading' but ultimately finds the novel's depth and exploration of timeless themes to be valuable. The reviewer highlights the novel's enduring relevance and the depth of its themes, making it a valuable read.

Quick quotes

    Hi Theresa, I had a little chuckle at the 'dry reading', but yes, it is a more challenging read and yet the core themes are still quite timeless.

    The novel's depth and exploration of timeless themes are valuable.

    The Scarlet Letter is a challenging read but its core themes are timeless.

The Guardian · Robert McCrum · 2014-01-06
astounding 4.80

The novel is full of intense symbolism and as haunting as anything by Edgar Allan Poe. The reviewer praises Hawthorne's astounding book.

Robert McCrum describes 'The Scarlet Letter' as an astounding book full of intense symbolism and as haunting as anything by Edgar Allan Poe. He praises Hawthorne's ability to create a deeply symbolic and haunting narrative. The reviewer highlights the novel's enduring relevance and the depth of its themes, making it a valuable read.

Quick quotes

    Nathaniel Hawthorne's astounding book is full of intense symbolism.

    As haunting as anything by Edgar Allan Poe.

    The novel's enduring relevance and the depth of its themes are valuable.

Appears in Lists