The Scarlet Letter: A Romance (1850) is considered the American author Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'masterwork.' A work of historical fiction set in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the Puritan settlement of 1642-1949 itells the story of Hester Prynne, who after having a child as a result of an extra-marital affair attempts to live a life of repentance and dignity although she is marked by having to wear a Scarlett A on her person. Throughout the novel, Hawthorne explores themes of legalism, sin, and guilt. The Scarlett Letter was one of the first mass-produced novels in the United States, prior printing of books generally done by hand. The 2,500 copies first printed sold out in days, and the mass-production of books opened up conversation about books and authors to a wider-audience on a national level. The first edition of The Scarlet Letter sold out in ten days and “made Hawthorne’s fame, changed his fortune and gave to our literature its first symbolic novel a year before the appearance of Melville’s Moby-Dick” (Bradley). Although an instant best-seller, the books sales over fourteen years only brought the author $1500.

Reviews

On Oct 4 2010, Erhanilhan said:

An absolute criticism of Puritan society. Hawthorne portrays the hypocritic sides of the society by pointing its discrepancies and ill-interpreted biblical sides deeds. He also shows that the society was not working in the name of god as stated; instead worked for a group of people (especially powerful) that keep the lines in hand.

(Log in or Create an Account first!)

Details

Bookseller: N & A Smiles (AU)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 4331
Title: The Scarlet Letter
Author: Hawthorne, Nathaniel
Format/Binding: Soft cover
Book Condition: Used - Near Fine
Quantity Available: 1
Binding: Paperback
ISBN 10: 0899664946
ISBN 13: 9780899664941
Publisher: Aerie Books 1987 Paperback ISBN: 1559029838
Date Published: 1987
Keywords: GOTHIC ROMANCE LITERATURE
Bookseller catalogs: Literature;

Terms of Sale

N & A Smiles

Internet booksellers since 1994. All prices in US dollars. Grading is conservative. Dust Jackets are protected in Brodart sleeves. Payment required with order. Payment for International orders accepted by PayPal, after ascertaining correct postage. Foreign cheques are not accepted. Australian Postal Money Orders & Cheques are accepted and must be made payable to \"Nick Smiles\". Please note all books are priced in US dollars. For orders taken within Australia, we adjust prices to Australian currency for billing purposes. Shipping by airmail unless requested otherwise. Returns accepted by prior arrangement. A 10% re-stocking fee applies if book was as described or ordered in error.

About the Seller

N & A Smiles

This seller has earned a 3 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.

Biblio member since 2005

Kellerberrin, Western Australia

Ask Seller a Question

About N & A Smiles

We are located on the Great Eastern Highway in the Central Wheatbelt town of Kellerberrin in Western Australia, 2-1/2 hours drive from Perth. We are directly opposite East Crossing Road, nestled in between the Tyre Service and the TAFE College. Public Transport is available via the Prospector & Avon Link passenger train services, or via the Goldfields Express bus service. We specialise in Collectible Paperbacks with an emphasis on Science Fiction and Crime Novels, but we also carry an extensive range of Mythology, Icelandic Sagas, Middle English Texts, Australian Exploration, Aboriginal Studies, Tolkien, Gor Books, Proto Science Fiction, Early SF Pulp Magazines and much more. Drop in for a browse and cup of coffee.

Glossary

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Fine: A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...