The Scarlet Letter (A Graphic Novel Audio): Illustrated Classics

Written by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Narrated by Saddleback Educational Publishing

The Scarlet Letter takes place in 17th century Puritan New England. Read along with this touching tale of Hester Prynne and her daughter Pearl as they struggle to survive as outcasts. Only one person, Arthuer Dimmesdale, the Reverend, knows Hester's true story, but he is kept away for fear of what the community will think of him. Find out how Hester turns hardship into the ability to help the very people who scorned her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Saddleback Educational Publishing
• Release date: Jan 1, 2006
• ISBN: 9781612474564

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) was an American writer whose work was aligned with the Romantic movement. Much of his output, primarily set in New England, was based on his anti-puritan views. He is a highly regarded writer of short stories, yet his best-known works are his novels, including The Scarlet Letter (1850), The House of Seven Gables (1851), and The Marble Faun (1860). Much of his work features complex and strong female characters and offers deep psychological insights into human morality and social constraints.

Reviews for The Scarlet Letter (A Graphic Novel Audio)

[alina100_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a required reading in high school. The scarlet Letter is a book that is considered to be one of the most famous books of literature. This is not a piece of literature that is easy to read, and I understand why ninth graders have a hard time understanding it. It is the language that makes it so unique, yet still actual.

[hankiii · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

My review:I would have never read it unless Ms. Crabtree, my tenth grade English teacher, had not thrust it down my throat, gleefully--almost orgasmically--in a sick literary fit. What I learned from this book:Never ever have my students read it, and pray that Ms. Crabtree gets to see the lake of fire in Book I of Paradise Lost

[atillahoney · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

One of the more boring books I've ever had the displeasure of reading. Sure, I've heard the themes of being out casted are well portrayed, but it's hard to see them if the damn book puts you to sleep.

[est2lm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Like many others, I first encountered this book in high school, and at the time, I liked parts of it. As I read it a second time, I recall a sort of Jane Eyre or Frankenstein sort of romantic Gothic tone. It is a haunting example of the american Gothic; Roger Chillingworth is undoubtedly the face of the devil himself, and the child Pearl could be a sprite come from the darkest pits of hell - not because she does anything surprising fr a child, but the things she says to her mother are spot on. Pearl, who may not realize it, is aware of a lot of different things concerning her mother's guilty feelings and has the uncanny ability to remind her mother of her sin without necessarily reproaching her. It is as if she were possessed by a demon taunting Hester Prynne int he guise of a child.

But, as it is observed even now, Hester's and Reverend Dimmesdale's guilt is so strong that religious superstition engulfs what they experience in everyday life. Guilt leads people to fear and see the worst until finally, they must confess.

Not that Chillingworth's feelings of revenge are imaginary - here is a man who would poison himself with hate in order to bring the cruelest kind of revenge to his enemy.

Hawthorn's writing style is kind of long-winded and dry at times (much like that of his puritan ancestors) but I found the story interesting enough to suffer through his didactic digressions and his characters' self-inflicted sermons.

[jess_reads_books · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

THE SCARLET LETTER is a classic tale about Hester Prynne, a woman sentenced to wear a red letter A on her clothes for committing the sin of adultery. The novel opens with Hester, standing upon the scaffold with her infant daughter in hand, receiving her sentence in front of the entire town. The crowd is full of town gossips who believe Hester should be met with punishment far more severe, such as torture and even death. Hester refuses to lay the blame for her adulterous actions on anyone aside from herself, as she denies the town an answer of who is the father of her child. Immediately Hester is in turmoil, not just from the never-ending stares at her marking, but because of an evil man who knows her secret. As this man is a stranger to her town, Hester is ordered to keep his true identity a secret for fear that he will reveal the identity of her lover to the town, bringing more shame upon her. Hester vows to live a life of solitude, keeping her garment and outward appearance bland and serving the town as a seamstress. Little Pearl, the child created by this adultery, is an odd being who keeps her month on her toes and remains the one ray of sunshine in her life through this dark time. Slowly, as the years flash by, Hester begins to take claim of her situation and move past the feelings of embarrassment associated with her scarlet brand, only to have her world brought back down to reality in one final dramatic sequence of events. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s writing style in one of poetry throughout THE SCARLET LETTER, with long flowing paragraphs describing scenes, people, and situations. While some may be drawn to this style of writing, I was left feeling bored and as if the book drew on too long. As a reader of largely thrillers and crime fiction, which are known for typically being fast paced, I struggled with holding my attention to reading this book. In addition, the overarching Christian and religious themes were something I am not interested in. I understand that at the time these ideas were of a main focus for audience that Hawthorne intended this book to reach. While I struggled a bit with the theme, I did find myself cheering for Hawthorne’s more liberal take, indicating throughout that while he did find Hester’s act of adultery to be a sin, he did not agree with the extreme measures the town cheered for or even the wearing of the scarlet letter A. Despite my own personal issues and stylistic preferences, I found Hawthorne’s novel to be engaging and a plot that provided both romance and despair. It is clear why THE SCARLET LETTER remains a classic throughout this time period.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Audio Book read by Anne Wauters

This classic of American literature is an exploration of guilt, hypocrisy, revenge, and atonement. Full of psychological nuance and forcing the reader to weigh the merits of various arguments as to whose sin is worse and what punishment is appropriate. The ethical dilemmas presented are still debated today.

Hester Prynne is a beautiful young woman who has been ostracized and outcast by her 17th-century Puritan community in Massachusetts for the unforgiveable sin of adultery. Her husband has been missing (and presumed dead) for several years and now she has a child, but she refuses to name Pearl’s father. She is forced to wear a scarlet ”A” on her breast, marking her as an adulteress and giving the community permission to scorn and ridicule her. But Hester holds her head high, lives quietly away from town with her child, and performs good works for those who are less fortunate even than she. The two men in her life however are continually present.

SPOILERS AFTER THIS POINT

Her husband has returned in disguise and stays incognito, calling himself Roger Chillingsworth so that he can punish the man who wronged him – the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale.

Hester’s sin is the most obvious, and her punishment has become an iconic symbol of public outrage. But she, at least, owns up to her transgression, and remains in the community, wearing the scarlet letter almost proudly. Dimmesdale proves himself a weak, if tortured, man who fasts and prays but cannot bring himself to confess and share the blame that is rightly his. More than once he publicly urges Hester to name the child’s father, hoping that she will save him from himself and the hypocrisy he feels “forced” to live. Chillingsworth is a vengeful troll, hiding behind his adopted persona as a “learned physician” he probes and needles Dimmesdale, providing a far worse torture than any punishment the community might have imposed.

The playaway portable audio version was read by Anne Wauters. I really did not like her performance and her voice was irritating to my ears. I almost lowered the rating, but in this case I didn’t think the book should be penalized for a poor audio performance.

[omrythea_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really don't know why people complain about this book so much. Yes, it was required reading, and yes, for once in high school I actually read it! I have to say that I loved the scandal, the historical portrayal of the time, the wildness of Pearl and the mystery of who knocked Hester up. I even had a reasonable appreciation for Hawthorne's symbolism. Think of this book as an old fashioned Clinton/Lewinksy tale. To each his own. :)

[soireb · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Read it as a class requirement, I like the imagery, but that is about it, not really crazy about the story, sorry. I feel like this being one of the great classics I should be doing backflips for it, but the truth is that the story just wasn't for me.

[icecream18 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I had to read this book my freshman year of high school, I was actually glad that I read it though (and not just because it helped me with an AP English essay). I liked and was mad at Hester, I really wanted her to stick up for herself more while liking her for her bravery. The descriptions can be a little too lengthy and detailed for the reader's liking. This classic is good for people of all ages and both genders.

[amandacb_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

At first, in high school, I resisted enjoying the book, mainly because I considered it dry and tedious. However, when I re-read it in college, it's actually quite fascinating since so many different literary techniques may be applied to it. It's has many facets and layers to uncover. Skip the intro "custom house" part, though.

[dverdecia-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A classic tale. Hester Prynne, accused by her community for adultery. Bearing a child, is a pariah of her community.

I really don't know if there is much I can add to this story that hasn't already been said about it. It is a must read. It should be on everyone's bookshelf. What amazes me most about this book is that even back then Nathaniel Hawthorne showed the injustic of the double standard. Where women are treated as the chattel they were and men literary got away with murder when it comes to women. I also love the fact how the author points out that some men are just scum above and beyond how they treat women.

This book is and will always be a classic for me. It is one of my favorites. I highly recommend it to be on everyone's bookshelf!

[cinesnail88 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

School's really bringing me down reading wise. I am exhausted all the time and can barely get a book in edgewise. This was one I had to read for school that my friends have told me to dread for some time. Well, it wasn't so bad. It had a decent plot but it did get overly wordy at times, and the blatant beat-you-over-the-head symbolism was a bit much. All in all, though, I had fun enough with it.

[midkid88 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was very excited to finally read this book since I have been told it is a classic. I guess I should have read it in a literary class because I felt very let down by the whole thing. The story was told with an outsider view that didn't go into much detail over anything. I felt like I was reading a quick summary of events instead of actually getting the true tale. I am glad I finally read it, but it won't be on a list to read again.

[teresaom-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A book that shows the great strength of one woman against the unfair opinions of the populace and the bias of that socity of men verus women.

[walterqchocobo · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Ugh, this was really tough to get through, even in audiobook form. The only reason that I finished it is because it was one of those "classics" that I thought I should read. I wish that I wasn't regularly disappointed with these classic books/books on the 1001 books to read before you die list.

I know that Hawthorne was trying to talk about guilt and sin but man, could it be a little more interesting? Please?

[lhaines56 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is from a compendium I have of Hawthorne's works, so I don't know the date. I believe I already read this in school (HS) but I don't remember it being so sluggish. Holy cow!!! Took a lot to get thru this and I slogged away. It is written on a higher reading level than most current books are. Ok but not fantastic. Kinda depressing....

[orix_bluewave · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a story in the society of puritan.A woman is punished because of the crime of adultery.But she won't say who has she sexed.I think this book ask us what the row and forgive of the god should be.

[seriousgrace · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Scarlet Letter opens with Hester Prynne being led to the stocks. She is the sinner and as a result is being publicly ridiculed. Her crime is having an adulterous affair that resulted in the birth of a baby girl. She not only won't disclose the father of her child, but she won't repent for her affair. She is condemned to wear the letter 'A' as a punishment, as a constant reminder to the community that she is an adulteress. While there is residual shame, Roger Chillingworth does not want the public to know Hester is his wife. There is honor in Hester's scandal - because she refuses to give up the name of her lover. Dignity prevails and she outwardly bears the burden of shame alone. Her lover also shoulders the guilt of sin in his own way as he plays an important part of the community.

[melsteam · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Passionate in pain- passionate in love; this is a story of people's reactions to mistakes not only regarding themselves but from the scornful, isolating behaviors of others.

[engpunk77 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'll admit that this book was too hard for me in 11th grade. I used it mostly to learn about 50 vocabulary words, but after reading the Cliff's Notes, I actually loved the story and wish I could have comprehended it on my own.

[bell7_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Hester Prynne commits adultery in the Puritan town of Salem, where the community punishes her with wearing a letter "A" and with ostracism.Hawthorne's classic is, of course, one of those books that doesn't really need a summary, as most American high school students have to read it sometime in their academic careers. Its archaic language and long-winded intrusive narrator make it difficult to read for fun and pleasure. Its themes of guilt, punishment, ostracism, and false piety make it rich when a good teacher can tease out the narrative. When I reread The Scarlet Letter alongside a high school student, I found myself ready to highlight passages and delve back into the investigative, analytical mode of an English major. While not one of the classics I would return to again and again for just the sheer pleasure of the story, I can see why it's become a staple of the classroom, even as I pity the poor high school students that have to struggle through it.

[la2bkk · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this short work more for its insights into the Puritan community (albeit overplayed) and lessons about humanity than for the quality of its writing. While the basic story is interesting, in my opinion Hawthorne's character development is remarkably weak. At times I felt as if I were reading a children's novel. That said, like it not, this is considered a classic hence is worth the read.

[maggie_rum · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A classic!

[bonreads-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I haven't read this since high school, and I hated it back then. However, it's our October book for book club. Hopefully I'll like it better this time around.

[doko_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In this era of denigrating, dismissing, marginalizing and categorizing our opponents and "enemies", this story remains relevant and reminds us our unchanging human nature. Read a version with notes or annotations to get the full impact. There should be a contest to point out all of the scarlet letters in use today.

[schasteen_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I rated The Scarlet Letter 5 stars because it is a classic novel. This story is one that numerous people know and can retell. Several people that I know had to read this as required reading because this book is a staple in literature. Classroom applications could be used with this book by having a "red a day" where every student has to wear a red a on their chest to see what Hester felt like when she had to wear the A. Students can also have a class discussion on their feelings on the topics and the time period of the novel.

[savannahc_15 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel follows the young, Hester Pine, as she struggles through the hardships of being casted out by her fellow town folk. She wears the mark of adultery, a large scarlet letter that A that proclaims to the world what she has done. Even though people continue to question her and for her to tell them who her lover was, she refuses, keeping the man she loves safe. We could continue to follow her and her cherished, pixie daughter, Pearl, though their lives and though it leaves one guessing towards the actually person whom Hester committed her “crime” with; it does not take long to realize this mysterious figures identity. This intriguing book leads us through an emotion and confusing trail through we learn just how it feel to be out casted from everyone. It shows us, especially high school students, just how much labeling effects people and the way we act towards them.

[karin7-11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After a very slow beginning, I really enjoyed this novel. There is a lot to it beyond the surface, but I can see why so many teens don't care for it.

[kr_patterson · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I felt the need to rate this at least 3 stars simply because the writing was so good. In fact, the only reason I finished it was because I loved the use of creative language. But I just don't have the attention span for these classic books! Please never make me read another one! Except maybe I'll re-read Pride and Prejudice again sometime. And maybe Jane Eyre. Maybe.

[jrgoetziii · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Complete story--covers every aspect of human existence which is important to the characters (religion, sex/gender, economy, politics, history, etc) and consequently to the reader. Has many parallels with Henry James' The Turn of the Screw--all of which begins with the 24-chapter structure, obviously modelled on The Odyssey. Stephen Crane also borrowed the structure for The Red Badge of Courage but used it much differently. The poisonous plant symbolism recurs through Hawthorne's work, especially "Rappaccini's Daughter."