Hester

This story is a retelling of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. In Hester, written by Laura Lico Albanese, the story is told from the point of view of the woman wearing the scarlet letter. The story starts in Scotland. Isabelle marries a pharmacist. Unluckily for her, the pharmacist is a scoundrel and addicted to opium. When his debts pile up and all their belongings are taken he decides they should emigrate to America. On board the ship Isabelle and her husband save the captain's life by lancing an abdominal abscess. The captain is grateful and he notices Isabelle's fine sewing skills. She repairs one of his jackets. Once in Salem the captain helps the couple find a place to live. Isabelle starts embroidering gloves and selling them. Her husband takes all their money and boards another ship headed south leaving Isabelle with nothing. She continues to sew. Some of her customers pay her with food. In town she meets a brooding young man by the name of Nathaniel Hawthorne and they are drawn to each other. I loved reading the description of the town, the styles of clothes, and the society in Salem that judges people's worth on factors beyond their control..