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‘Double double foil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron bubble�� (Macbeth) and this is what I was hoping for. A story inspired by 'The Scarlet Letter' and the Salem witch trials. I'll continue...

Based on a story of adultery, witch trials, and tears spilt
Hester is a book immersed in themes of shame and guilt
If you think this will give you the spellbinding read you need
Then adjust your expectations, some GR friends are agreed
That whilst this book was based on a great premise
It lacked that all important magic, atmosphere, and menace
Nevertheless, both books embrace men’s desire and greed
And a woman cold heartedly abandoned in her hour of need.

The Plot

Not much more to it than that, unfortunately. Isobel and Edward leave for Salem to start a new life, after he amasses debts that leaves them in financial ruin. However, shortly after they settle in Salem, Edward all but abandons Hester leaving her penniless and having to fend for herself in a new city using her sewing and dressmaking skills to make a living. A skill that can draw admiration and reflecting on the past and present events in Salem, also accusations of witchcraft for those who sew with colours.

The story also references a witch trial faced by Isobel’s aunt who managed to escape the pyre. Whilst the past and present connect at some level, I found the past story more interesting.

Review and Comments

With the original story of the Scarlett Letter and its classic tale of adultery, this offered the perfect backdrop for a tale of misdemeanour, witchcraft, and magic, with the setting in Salem. However, I feel royally stitched up by the blurb on this one, with words like ‘masterpiece��.

I was drawn to Hester because I enjoy books that take inspiration from the real witch stories and trials that took place in Scotland and Salem, in the 1800s. The book was also loosely based on Nathaniel Hawthorne's, The Scarlet Letter, only in this adaption he is the man, the lover, and the scoundrel. A perfect combination for a richly atmospheric story with lashings of historical intrigue.

Whilst I didn’t dislike the book, I certainly wasn’t spellbound with this retelling because it just didn’t embellish the original story enough and certainly didn’t raise it to new heights either, which was a huge disappointment.

The writing style was very good but lacked the atmosphere needed for evil and witchcraft stories and that haunting sense of doom and expectation that anything can happen. In the present day, I didn't feel connected with Isobel's story and plight yet I was with Hester in 'The Scarlett Letter'.

If you are looking for that good easy read, that draws on some historical events, then this is for you and please read other reviews for people who enjoyed this much more than me.