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Debbie W.'s Reviews > Hester
Hester
by
by
Debbie W.'s review
bookshelves: 2023-reads, american-northeast, audiobook, historical-fiction, literature-united-kingdom-ireland, gorgeous-cover
Feb 03, 2023
bookshelves: 2023-reads, american-northeast, audiobook, historical-fiction, literature-united-kingdom-ireland, gorgeous-cover
Why I chose to listen to this audiobook:
A GR friend's review brought this historical fiction story to my attention. Since I love doing cross-stitch embroidery (especially while listening to audiobooks), I added it to my WTR list.
Praises:
1. set in Salem, MA during 1829, the historical aspect was clearly defined;
2. I loved the colorful descriptions of MC Isobel Gamble's needlework and how she became self-sufficient through this line of work;
3. I thought the use of the sensory phenomenon, synesthesia, was an interesting concept to use during this time period of distrust towards the unknown and/or feared.
(Note: I first learned about this neurological condition a few years ago from reading The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock, a picture book detailing artist Vasily Kandinsky's young life and how he used this condition to his artistic advantage);
4. although I've never read The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, I knew enough about the story to understand how this modern-day reimagining uses Isobel as Hawthorne's muse for Hester Prynne. (Personally, I enjoyed it a little more than Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier)!
Niggles:
1. I never felt that Isobel was in any great danger of being accused of witchcraft or even of being put into the stocks!
2. I like flawed characters, but Isobel seemed to have a one-track mind, and Mr. Hawthorne seemed weak, self-absorbed and overall weird (was he like that in real life?);
3. the dual-timeline was confusing, and the Underground Railroad subplot was unnecessary;
4. in 1829, Isobel would have politely referred to her friend as "colored" or even "Negro", but definitely not "Black". Stay true to the time period!
5. the narrator was occasionally expressionless; and,
6. the ending was too tidy.
Overall Thoughts:
I really wanted to love this story! 3 stars = I liked it, but I'm afraid it won't be very memorable for me (I already forgot some characters' names!)
Recommendation?
If you enjoy historical fiction, especially those based on a muse and a famous artist, then check this one out. Myself, I hoped for more intensity and a stronger focus on this particular premise.
A GR friend's review brought this historical fiction story to my attention. Since I love doing cross-stitch embroidery (especially while listening to audiobooks), I added it to my WTR list.
Praises:
1. set in Salem, MA during 1829, the historical aspect was clearly defined;
2. I loved the colorful descriptions of MC Isobel Gamble's needlework and how she became self-sufficient through this line of work;
3. I thought the use of the sensory phenomenon, synesthesia, was an interesting concept to use during this time period of distrust towards the unknown and/or feared.
(Note: I first learned about this neurological condition a few years ago from reading The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock, a picture book detailing artist Vasily Kandinsky's young life and how he used this condition to his artistic advantage);
4. although I've never read The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, I knew enough about the story to understand how this modern-day reimagining uses Isobel as Hawthorne's muse for Hester Prynne. (Personally, I enjoyed it a little more than Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier)!
Niggles:
1. I never felt that Isobel was in any great danger of being accused of witchcraft or even of being put into the stocks!
2. I like flawed characters, but Isobel seemed to have a one-track mind, and Mr. Hawthorne seemed weak, self-absorbed and overall weird (was he like that in real life?);
3. the dual-timeline was confusing, and the Underground Railroad subplot was unnecessary;
4. in 1829, Isobel would have politely referred to her friend as "colored" or even "Negro", but definitely not "Black". Stay true to the time period!
5. the narrator was occasionally expressionless; and,
6. the ending was too tidy.
Overall Thoughts:
I really wanted to love this story! 3 stars = I liked it, but I'm afraid it won't be very memorable for me (I already forgot some characters' names!)
Recommendation?
If you enjoy historical fiction, especially those based on a muse and a famous artist, then check this one out. Myself, I hoped for more intensity and a stronger focus on this particular premise.
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Reading Progress
April 25, 2022
– Shelved
April 25, 2022
– Shelved as:
to-read
January 21, 2023
–
Started Reading
January 21, 2023
– Shelved as:
2023-reads
January 21, 2023
– Shelved as:
american-northeast
January 21, 2023
– Shelved as:
audiobook
January 21, 2023
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
January 21, 2023
– Shelved as:
literature-united-kingdom-ireland
January 30, 2023
–
Finished Reading
February 3, 2023
– Shelved as:
gorgeous-cover
Comments Showing 1-32 of 32 (32 new)
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Kathleen
(new)
Feb 03, 2023 09:11AM
Great review, Debbie. I always enjoy reading your reviews.
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Exactly, Debbie. Terrific and fair review.
Kathleen wrote: "Great review, Debbie. I always enjoy reading your reviews."Thank you so much, Kathleen, for your kind words!
Jen CAN wrote: "Exactly, Debbie. Terrific and fair review."Thanks, Jen! This one had so much promise.
How perfect to read a book about needlework while you're doing your own, Debbie! Too bad it wasn't a better book though. I would have been irritated by the same things you were and I especially get annoyed when books don't stay true to the time they're set in.
Get review, Debbie. I agree about what you said about staying true to the time period. Either the author didn't know that referring to Negros as blacks were an insult back then or maybe she was trying to use a politically correct term not to offend.
Terrific review, Debbie! My sister really wants this one, so I sent your review to her and I think it will help her to see that it might not be worth our $17.😕 Thanks!
Jenna wrote: "How perfect to read a book about needlework while you're doing your own, Debbie! Too bad it wasn't a better book though. I would have been irritated by the same things you were and I especially get..."Thanks, Jenna! The needlework explored in this story was one of the things that drew me to this story.
Joe wrote: "Get review, Debbie. I agree about what you said about staying true to the time period. Either the author didn't know that referring to Negros as blacks were an insult back then or maybe she was try..."When writing historical fiction, a writer shouldn't be politically correct; just true to the time.
Jodi wrote: "Terrific review, Debbie! My sister really wants this one, so I sent your review to her and I think it will help her to see that it might not be worth our $17.😕 Thanks!"Thanks for your comments, Jodi! Many readers loved this story. I just had issues with parts of it.
Excellent review, Debbie. I have been on the fence with this one. Your review convinced me not to bother. Thanks.
Im glad we both felt the same way 😂
Linda wrote: "Excellent review, Debbie. I have been on the fence with this one. Your review convinced me not to bother. Thanks."Thank you, Linda. Glad to be of some help.
Laura wrote: "Im glad we both felt the same way 😂"Just shook my head while listening to this one.
Bummer, seeing many very mixed reviews about this one. Sad it didn't work for you either. Honest review Debbie!
Federico wrote: "Bummer, seeing many very mixed reviews about this one. Sad it didn't work for you either. Honest review Debbie!"Thanks, Federico. So frustrating, especially when one looks forward to reading a book.
I have this one on my tbr pile, I am hesitant because I loved the Scarlet Letter! What a shame about the confusing timelines, although I am glad there were still enjoyable parts! Wonderful review Debbie! 🧡
Ellie wrote: "I have this one on my tbr pile, I am hesitant because I loved the Scarlet Letter! What a shame about the confusing timelines, although I am glad there were still enjoyable parts! Wonderful review D..."Give it a try, Ellie, especially since you loved The Scarlet Letter. Many other readers loved this story.
Thanks for this helpful review, Debbie! Your niggles have convinced me to remove this from my TBR.
Caroline wrote: "Thanks for this helpful review, Debbie! Your niggles have convinced me to remove this from my TBR."No problem, Caroline! I calls 'em as I sees 'em! 😂
Terrific review, Debbie. I had to read The Scarlet Letter in high school, and I'd say that was sufficient where this story is concerned!
Kat wrote: "Terrific review, Debbie. I had to read The Scarlet Letter in high school, and I'd say that was sufficient where this story is concerned!"😂😂😂 I never had to read that classic, but I remember trying to when I was in high school. I don't remember getting too far into it. At least you get to say you accomplished that, Kat!
I think I liked this one because it wasn't almost a cozy compared to The Scarlet Letter 😂 Wonderful review, Debbie!
MarilynW wrote: "I think I liked this one because it wasn't almost a cozy compared to The Scarlet Letter 😂 Wonderful review, Debbie!"Thanks, Marilyn! I would've thought that this book was more of a cozy than the original! 😂😂
I'm glad it was a respectable like even if you didn't love it. I've heard enough about this one that I did not add it. I hope you love your next read!
Lisa wrote: "I'm glad it was a respectable like even if you didn't love it. I've heard enough about this one that I did not add it. I hope you love your next read!"Thanks, Lisa, and yes, I am!
Solid review that probably underscores the reason I’m not adding it to the TBR. Such a bummer as it had a great premise!!
Heidi wrote: "Solid review that probably underscores the reason I’m not adding it to the TBR. Such a bummer as it had a great premise!!"Thanks, Heidi! Yes! That premise really had me!
Great review, Debbie! And I cross-stitch while I listen to audiobooks, too. I've stitched since I was in the third grade. :)
Melissa wrote: "Great review, Debbie! And I cross-stitch while I listen to audiobooks, too. I've stitched since I was in the third grade. :)"That's so awesome to hear, Melissa! I started embroidering when I was in third grade as well! I'm glad that we can concentrate on stitching and listening to an audiobook at the same time - helps me whittle down my WTR pile.
Great review Debbie. Sorry to hear that this book had many niggles for you. I loved it :)
Annette wrote: "Great review Debbie. Sorry to hear that this book had many niggles for you. I loved it :)"Your review made me add this one to the List. Sorry that we didn't see eye-to-eye on this one.
