Rating: 
Summary: One of the Greatest Books Ever Written
Review: The Scarlet Letter is an excellent book. Hawthorne spends so much time discussing the characters' thoughts and motives that by the end of the book, you can understand why the people act the way they do. It makes them seem almost real. He relates nature to what the character's are experiencing that makes the story even more powerful. In one place he told of a rose bush that grew by the prison so it seemed Nature was saying that even though other people had abandoned them, someone could always count on the nature's love. It's very beautifully written. The story of adultery and jealous spouses happens in our own day which makes The Scarlet Letter relate to the reader. It's just a great book all over, and I feel that it's one of the best ever written.
Rating:
Summary: I love this book
Review: This book is one of the greatest classics of American literature, and my personal favortie. It is the story of Hester Prynne, a strong woman who struggles between her society's austere piety and the callings of her heart. She must hide her beautiful fire beneath gray simplicity, yet she has a badge with which she can proclaim her true spirit to the world. Through her scarlet letter and her illegetimate child Pearl (who herslef is a nonconformist in the true Emersonian spirit), Hester is a mirror of truth in her smothered and pious surroundings. Hawthorne proves his skill through exquisite descripions and proves his wisdom as he explores the impossibilities of feminine nature. This is a book that everyone should read, not only as a classic, but also as an extraordinary piece of literature that rings true even today.
Rating: 
Summary: American classic my ...
Review: This completely predictable novel seems more like a beginner's attempt of writing a book rather than an American classic. The author treats the readers as if they completely lack a brain by stating the understood and by completely beating concepts to death (note the reference).
Rating: 
Summary: Leave this one to the bibliophiles
Review: Yes, I am a 17 yr old high school kid. But I can tell good books from the bad ones. "The Scarlet Letter" is a "classical" tale of 2 lovers. To be concise, this novel is too wordy to be enjoyable. People can say it's a classic romantic novel, it has good character developments, it has good themes and ironies, blah blah blah. I, like most people, don't judge a book by checking out its trap metaphors; all in all leave this book to a "Doctor of Puritanical Philosophy". If youre looking for a more entertaining classic, read "Huck Finn" by Twain.
Rating:
Summary: Please try again
Review: This is for all the kids out there who have had to read this book for school and then written awful reviews of it here. Take a few years and PLEASE TRY AGAIN! You will not be sorry. Hawthorne is a wonderfully subtle author, and while his writing might seem tedious at first, it will reward you. This is not just a book about adultery punished by a repressive society- it is about guilt and love, secrets and integrity, personal demons and responsibility. The story has true relevance in today's world. And Hawthorne's language is amazing. If anything he writes seems obvious, look again. He may not have said what you first thought. He often shows many sides of a situation and lets the reader draw his own conclusions. I never had to read The Scarlet Letter for school, but I have read it twice and will probably read it again soon. It is one of the few books that have really stuck with me and made me think. Like other great works of art, it will keep coming back to you. What it lacks in swift and exciting action, it more than makes up in the author's great understanding of and compassion for his characters.
Rating:
Summary: Hated every word of it!
Review: The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne holds little significance other than being a complete waste of time. As a 10th grade student in American Literature who personally enjoys reading, I was throughly disgusted. There are much better classic American works that would have served the same purpose. The novel also holds little relevance in today's world, for example religion is not the law of the land. Hawthorne's elegant and complicated style frustrates and maddens the reader. After spending long hours reading I had hardly made a dent in the book. Normally, I am pretty fast reader but this book just took forever. I had to look up so many words because I had no idea what they ment. Even then, many of the words were not even used in today's english. Thanks a lot Webster! Not only that, but every character spoke exactly the same. I don't think a 3 year old is going to speak like a very gifted orator like the Reverend Dimmesdale. It was very difficult to tell who was speaking. The story could be summarized in about 10 pages but instead rambles on for about 220 more than it should. A simple action such as Pearl looking at Hester's "A" includes 10 pages of explanation. I know many kids that actually fell asleep while reading the book, during the middle of the day. Yes, its that boring. Also, the need for Hawthorne to credibilty to his story makes me think. I would have never questioned it if he hadn't felt the need expalin it. I feel as the book is simply a way for Hawthorne to clear his conscience by writing a subject that is near and dear to his heart. Its no secret that Hawthorne was suspected to have had incestous relationships during his lifetime. This fact alone makes me sick, as does the whole book. It should contain the label: DO NOT READ.
Rating:
Summary: YEAH, HE'S A CLASSIC WRITER, BUT THIS NOVEL IS NOT CLASSIC
Review: I have had the displeasure of reading this book twice so far in high school. Before continuing with my actual review, I should note that I am a little weary of romance novels in general. First of all, anyone eager to read this book for its romantic theme, forget it! In the modern sense, this is not in anyway associated with romance or (for the most part)love. In reality, this book is more about Christian motives, betrayal, and depression. I cannot nor do I wish to reveal anything specific about the plot, yet let me emphasize that this novel centers more around hate and contempt than love. Although I despise stories with a lustful or romantic appeal, I would have been far better satisfied had that been the case of this novel. Don't misinterpret me, Hawthorne is a terrific and classical writer, but this novel IS NOT CLASSICAL! Having read some of his other works, I must say how uncharacteristic this novel is of him. It does have its merits, however; it is full of imagery and symbolism that can greatly improve a reader's reading and writing skills, but so do a lot of other "real" classics. I'm not trying to hammer this book into the ground, I'm just being as objectively honest as I can. The truth is that this novel is very tedious and deep (as are all of Hawthorne's works), yet unlike is better works, there is virtually no action or interesting plots to the story. I can't put it any better than to say that it is just plain, old-fashioned BORING. I like to think I have an open mind, but you sit down to read this book and you get through the first chapter (if you get through it) and then through the rest until the end; and then it's like "it took 250 pages to tell a one-paragraph story?" Not to reveal anything, but the ending is a terrible let down, though not at all shocking either. Although I didn't like this book, it has its merits; and if you are thinking about reading it yourself, do yourself a favor and get a short synopsis of the book and really see if it's something you wish endeavor into. E-mail me freely if you have questions.
Rating: 
Summary: Good.
Review: A short novel portraying the life struggles of a young woman named Hester Prynne who is shunned by the rest of her society by commiting the crime of adultery. The product of this crime was her daughter, Pearl. Pearl is stuck in the middle and sometimes even seen as evil by the town's people because she was the product of this crime. Hester, however shunned, still stands tall and proud. She's a strong woman that doesn't really care what people think of her. The only other person that sticks by her side is her lover, Arthur Dimmsdale. I liked this book, but I did not enjoy the way that Hawthorne refers to "the reader". It pulled away from the story. I do, however, still recommend that one reads this book.
Rating:
Summary: Save Yourself
Review: I agree 100% that Hawthorne was a brillaint writer. But this book was horrible. A simple phrase of action (Hester walking down the street) would be 4 pages of reflection. I read alot and am a huge fan of John Steinbeck, J.D Salinger, Mark Twian. I hated this book. It was took long and nearly impossible to read. If you have to read it for school, good luck. Otherwise, avoid this. There are much better classics than this.
Rating:
Summary: Moo Moo Pyscho Cow
Review: I feel that the Scarlet Letter is one of the most instense novels I have ever read. The symbolism and the characters draw you further and further into the novel. There are many different themes and aspects of the characters that you can anylize. Further more I don't feel like writing anything else so that's it.
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