The Invisible Hour: A Novel

Written by Alice Hoffman

Narrated by Jessie Mueller

The latest New York Times bestseller from beloved author Alice Hoffman celebrates the enduring magic of books and is a “wonderful story of love and growth” (Stephen King).

One June day when Mia Jacob can no longer see a way to survive, the power of words saves her. The Scarlet Letter was written almost two hundred years earlier, but it seems to tell the story of Mia’s mother, Ivy, and their life inside the Community—an oppressive cult in western Massachusetts where contact with the outside world is forbidden. But how could this be? How could Nathaniel Hawthorne have so perfectly captured the pain and loss that Mia carries inside her?

Through a journey of heartbreak, love, and time, Mia must abandon the rules she was raised with at the Community. As she does, she realizes that reading can transport you to other worlds or bring them to you, and that readers and writers affect one another in mysterious ways. She learns that time is more fluid than she can imagine, and that love is stronger than any chains that bind you.

As a girl Mia fell in love with a book. Now as a young woman she falls in love with a brilliant writer as she makes her way back in time. But what if Nathaniel Hawthorne never wrote The Scarlet Letter? And what if Mia Jacob never found it on the day she planned to die?

From “the reigning queen of magical realism” (Kristin Hannah, New York Times bestselling author), this is the story of one woman’s dream. For a little while it came true.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Aug 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781797154800

Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The Book of Magic, Magic Lessons, The World That We Knew, Practical Magic, The Rules of Magic (a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick), the Oprah’s Book Club Selection Here on Earth, The Red Garden, The Dovekeepers, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, The Marriage of Opposites, and Faithful. She lives near Boston.

Reviews for The Invisible Hour

[Erica Bennett Waterman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoy this author's voice and story writing style so much that I've found very few reasons not to be impressed by all of her books. I like this one, but I'm not in love with the characters.

[Ann Hearn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another gem by Alice Hoffman. It’s a quick easy read

[Tina Whobrey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Started in a way I wasn’t sure about but I really loved the way it came to a close at the end!

[Nora Preece · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The story started out interesting. But as it got near the end it was very preachy. You want to write about women’s right, then write a good story of women’s showing their strengths, don’t preach at me about it.

And I love Alice Hoffman’s writing. So very disappointed in this one.

[Rocio Salazar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gosh this was a beautiful story. Alice Hoffman never lets me down. Her stories are always magical and make you feel deep in your heart for her characters. She did not disappoint!!

[Meg Rice · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully written, beautifully read on audiobook and magically paralleled The Scarlet Letter.

[Liisa Liisa · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Some character development would have helped this book a lot. The story was a bit trite and rambling all over so not much focus is given to time and place.

[Ali Stephens · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautifully written novel. Full of spirit, triumph, heartache, perseverance and the beauty of letting go to find what you need in life. I love every minute. Hoffman’s words are poetry in themselves.

[Emily Sell · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I loved the first half of the story, the second half was slow, uneventful and strange.