The Scarlet Letter (Classic Collection)

Rating:
Summary: I must say
Review: that I don't like this book. I read it in high school, when all I did (and still do) was read everything I could get my hands on. I love literature, I am even majoring in creative writing in college. I UNDERSTOOD the book, what it was trying to say, the plot, etc. I just thought it didn't do a very good job of saying what it was trying to say. It was unnecessarily vague (what is the reason behind trying to confuse somebody?), wordy, high-flown and just too big. The story could have been told more effectively as a short story, even half the length. I don't reccommend.

Rating:
Summary: A Timeless Classic
Review: In this book, Hawthorne has truly captured the human spirit. However, it is not a work for the simple-minded. Those who do not fully understand it fail to appreciate the precision and genius with which it was written. Hester is such a strong character; as she struggles to win back the respect of the community, she regains her self-respect, which, she realizes, is ultimately more important. Hawthorne sets Rev. Dimmesdale, a very weak character, opposite Hester perfectly. Chillingworth is, in fact, "chilling," and little Pearl is a troublemaker but grows to be much like her mother. The book is a slow read but well worth the wait. It's full of symbolism -- pay close attention to the rose bush (first mentioned within the first chapter, so be alert!) and the significance of "mirrors."

Rating:
Summary: Not my idea of a good read
Review: I've read worse. But it takes a lot of mental energy to wade through all the commas and figure out the point of each paragraph. It seems a lot longer than 240 pages. I wouldn't have read it if I hadn't been forced to by the school. And the introductory thing is torture.

Rating:
Summary: Good book to read if you were bored to death!
Review: I read this book over the summer because I had no time to go to a library or a bookstore and I had gotten to book for my birthday from my aunt back in May. I usually read ALL the time. If it's a good book, I can read it in less than 1 day. Sometimes it even takes me 1-2 hours. But this book took me 3 weeks. I couldn't believe how long it took me! Then it turns out that I have to read it this year in school. (UGH!) Please don't read this book, only if you love very old books that are very hard to understand.

Rating:
Summary: A well written book!!
Review: The Scarlet Letter was an great book in that it kept me reading. It was not boring. It had sense to it. It has alot of symbols in it that makes sense and has a purpose instead of just being there.

Rating:
Summary: Miserable...horribly dry & unchallenging
Review: This work by Hawthorne, whose subject matter is always really boring anyway, is as dry and frigid as a desert. Horrible, horrible, horrible. I started with great optimism, for I had been curious about it for ages, and if it weren't for the paper I had to write about it, I would have stopped reading it in page twenty-five. By the end I was screaming thanks to the forces of the universe. Not only is the book periphrastic and dull; it completely drains the reader's energy and sanity. One just cannot relate to the characters--so imitative and spurious; besides, the story line is EXHAUSTINGLY and OBVIOUSLY outdated!!! I hated Hester. I cannot comprehend the concept going through some individuals' minds when they call her one of the most moving characters in American literature. WHATEVER!!!!!! And Dimmesdale's character was despicable, absurd, and ordinary. If you've read about the tremendous psychological impact of the novel, you have been deceived! You won't find any psychological force. Save your money and buy a real masterpiece, not this cheap counterfeit.

Rating:
Summary: The Scarlett Letter is too verbose.
Review: I had to read The Scarlett Letter for my honors english 3 class. I found that the author was too verbose in describing people, places, situations, and just the story in general. The book was so wordy, I often found myself forgetting the topic of that particular paragraph. Also, I was disturbed to find out that ever day the Reverand A. Dimmesdale would beat himself, and stay up till the early morning hours!

Rating:
Summary: This book is Great!
Review: One might notice that many of the negative reviews of this book contain horrible grammer and multiple spelling errors. Although I respect those who disliked The Scarlet Letter, I disagree. It's no wonder that people that don't know how to capitalize the word 'I'. I thought that this book was wonderful, if you are willing to put effort into understanding it.

Rating:
Summary: amazing
Review: I first read this book as a high school requirement, and was one of the few who actually liked it. I recently read it again in my college literature class, and I learned to appreciate it even more. I picked up so much more the second time through. The thing that just blows me away is the author's use of symbolism and the way *everything* ties together...it's genius! Another amazing thing about this book is that it represents three different time periods: the time in which it took place (1600's), the time in which it was written (1800's), and the time in which you read it (present). So in a way it spans across centuries and connects to so many different generations. It's truly a timeless classic. I hate to be negative or insult anyone, but any person that hated this book is probably just an ignorant high school student who doesn't appreciate depth in a novel, and doesn't know a true masterpiece when they see one. This is also a great book for people who love American history (such as myself). It sheds a lot of light on the Puritan times.

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN
Review: From the beginning chapter of this novel, I was compelled to read on. The use of diction and the author's attidude toward the character's and their behaviors make the novel appeal to a more variety of audiences. Hester's attitude throughout the novel shows a willingness to go on to the end, even though she was shunned away by the townspeople. If you are at all interested in romances, mysteries, prejudice,gothic styles of writing and the beliefs of the Puritan lifestyle I strongly recommend that you read this novel.