I am one of those rare people who actually liked The Scarlet Letter when we “had” to read it in American Lit in high school. I can’t say the same about Moby Dick, but luckily that’s not the retelling we’re talking about here. Laurie Lico Albanese has created this beautiful piece of art in Hester, an imagined prequel, if you will, to Hester Prynne and her world in The Scarlet Letter.
It’s the early 1800s and Isobel Gamble, a twenty-year-old seamstress from Scotland, has emigrated to Salem, MA with her much older husband Edward. They both hold secrets. She has synesthesia, whereby she can see colors for words, and he is addicted to poppy. Isobel is the descendant of an accused witch in Scotland and she’s headed right into Salem, home of the notorious Witch Trials. All the more reason to keep her secret hidden lest she be thought to be a witch. Upon arrival she catches the eye of Nathaniel Hathorne, grandson of one of the judges of the trials; he later added the W to distinguish himself from his ancestors.
When Edward goes back to sea in search of riches Isobel must rely on her needlework to keep her alive. She is reminded to “trust the needle.”
The story alternates between Salem and Scotland, roughly 150 years apart. Nathaniel (Nat) and Isobel’s story is interwoven with Isobel’s struggles to fit into Salem society as well as the depiction of the beginnings of the Underground Railroad.
This was truly a remarkable read. It had depth and richness and strong character development. It’s one I won’t soon forget.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the early review copy!