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Summary: from a former scarlet letter hater
Review: after years of sighing about the dull tedium of scarlet letter, i happened upon janey's "book report" on the novel in kathy acker's "blood and guts in high school"...made me ashamed to have lamented hawthorne's "dullness"...if scarlet letter is putting you to sleep, try acker's version (works better than coffee at illuminating the life of this novel)
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Summary: This is a wonderful novel!!!
Review: This novel is a wonderful novel, if you have the time, and open-mindedness to see why Hawthorn wrote the way he did. So what! if he spent 20 pages on explaining about a D--- arm chair! The person who complains about something like that, obviously dosen't see the reasoning behind such a writing...and therefore lacks the necessary attitude to learn of such things. With that said... The character of Roger Chillingworth, (I thought), was one of great intrigue. His thought processes, and actions,(Even though they were morbid and evil) are all done with reason and intent. Unlike our dear Hester Prynne, who seems to run on emotion, like an old car runs on sulfer. As for the Rev. Aurthur Dimmesdale I believe him to be a self-centered hypocrite who finaly, does some actual good upon the end of the book. The story itself, is one of good writing and attention to detail. It was overall an excellent novel made of good talent, good characters, good writing, and of wonderful detail.
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Summary: Be true
Review: "The Scarlet Letter", by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a book about how keeping secrets can ruin a person. A very realistic view of how a society can treat others. Even though many of the towns people were no more innocent than Hester in many ways, they looked on her as one of the worse sinners in town, unable to be touched by the rest of society.
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Summary: A Classic for all times
Review: Last night I was watching a television show in which there was a high school English class scene and the students are bored to tears while reading and studying "The Scarlet Letter." Few things burn my butt more than when I see this myth that "The Scarlet Letter" is boring perpetuated. This book is an absolute masterpiece and one of the great pieces of Art by an American--and I thought that in 9th grade when I read it for the first time.People who don't like the book are not immersing themselves in it. You have to shut out all distractions because every word and scene is so critical. Morality, shame, hypocrisy, redemption, righteousness and ostracism cannot just be thrown onto a page--there must be a build up. Almost twenty years and countless books after having first read "The Scarlet Letter" I consider it to be my favorite book of all time.
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Summary: it was very slow.
Review: Hawthorne was a excellent writer for the 19th century, however, this book is very slow and often has no dialog for over a chapter. The descriptions get very long, boring and tedious. As you read this book your mind starts to wander and you can't remember what happened for chapters at a time. The only was I was able to get through it was by reading Cliffs Notes then the book.
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Summary: Deserving of the Masterpiece Title
Review: There is a reason why the Scalet Letter has the station of a classic in todays society, and it is because the book encompases a grand depth that is severly lacking in so many books in our contempoary society. It is not a book for an imature audience, as its themes run multi-layered and can be misunderstood by the ignorant mind. But let not that ignorance, caused, most likely, by the simple-mindedness of the mediums we are today exposed to for entertainment, tarnish the image of this sacred epic. Um, its a really good book.
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Summary: For an audience
Review: Hawthorne has written a book deeply in psychological symbolism and wordy sentences. This book is for those with enough patience to let a deluded, complex story develop -- not a story for me, even though I have read many in the genre.
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Summary: The Best!!
Review: As a young person, I must say...This book ROCKS! I read this book for the first time as an assignment. I have read four or five times since and each time I get something different out of it. Hawthorne's characterization is a masterpiece! He explores the psychological impact of ostracization. A story of redemption and hope. Read it and cry, smile and then sit and ponder. Guaranteed to have an impact on your live
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Summary: Excellent
Review: I personally consider this book one of the best ever written. It is full of symbolism and insight into todays society. The rosebush, the prison door, the scarlet letter, Pearl herself, the forest, the scaffold-every element in this story contains a symbolic nature which can be explored deeply. It is a truly amazing book. Upon reading it again, many new truths and plot elements can be uncovered that weren't noticed before. This book has the potential to leave the reader with a different view of society and life.
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Summary: A classic novel with a contemporary message
Review: Hawthorne's masterpiece is beautifully written and skillfully constructed. It's message is subtle, yet pervasive: that people we punish as "sinners" are often far more noble than their punishers. Judge not, lest ye be judged. Best (or worst) of all, the story is still wonderfully applicable to contemporary life. Perhaps President Clinton ought to wear a big scarlet letter 'A' on his chest for the rest of his term.
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