The Scarlet Letter

by

Read by Cori Samuel

English · 9h 25m · Historical Fiction, Literary Criticism

4.6 (806 reviews)

This book tells the story of Hester Prynne, a young woman who conceives a child while her husband is missing at sea. The Puritan Elders of the New England settlement of Boston, where she lives, condemn her to wear a scarlet letter A to signify her adultery. She refuses to name her lover, and he too keeps his silence, but with a terrible cost.

The tale is prefaced with an account of the Salem Custom-house where Nathaniel Hawthorne was working when he began writing The Scarlet Letter. Summary by Cori Samuel

Chapters

Select a chapter to play

00a - The Custom-House—Introductory to 'The Scarlet Letter' 23:19 Read by Cori Samuel
00b - The Custom-House—Continued 30:47 Read by Cori Samuel
00c - The Custom-House—Concluded 47:46 Read by Cori Samuel
01 - The Prison-Door 3:29 Read by Cori Samuel
02 - The Market-Place 23:08 Read by Cori Samuel
03 - The Recognition 21:24 Read by Cori Samuel
04 - The Interview 16:03 Read by Cori Samuel
05 - Hester at Her Needle 23:30 Read by Cori Samuel
06 - Pearl 24:20 Read by Cori Samuel
07 - The Governor's Hall 16:15 Read by Cori Samuel
08 - The Elf-Child and the Minister 20:39 Read by Cori Samuel
09 - The Leech 23:41 Read by Cori Samuel
10 - The Leech and His Patient 23:05 Read by Cori Samuel
11 - The Interior of a Heart 17:44 Read by Cori Samuel
12 - The Minister's Vigil 25:31 Read by Cori Samuel
13 - Another View of Hester 19:33 Read by Cori Samuel
14 - Hester and the Physician 14:56 Read by Cori Samuel
15 - Hester and Pearl 15:00 Read by Cori Samuel
16 - A Forest Walk 13:59 Read by Cori Samuel
17 - The Pastor and His Parishioner 23:16 Read by Cori Samuel
18 - A Flood of Sunshine 15:08 Read by Cori Samuel
19 - The Child at the Brook-side 16:46 Read by Cori Samuel
20 - The Minister in a Maze 25:30 Read by Cori Samuel
21 - The New England Holiday 20:27 Read by Cori Samuel
22 - The Procession 24:21 Read by Cori Samuel
23 - The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter 20:53 Read by Cori Samuel
24 - Conclusion 14:31 Read by Cori Samuel

Reviews


(4 stars)

Awesome reader!!! I could hear every book read by her. Sad story but really good.

My Impressed Eyes!!!


(5 stars)

Well I haven't listened yet as I was reading the reviews first between this version and the other with various readers. I unlike many Librivox listeners enjoy multi reader book readings. I however greatly disapprove of the harsh reviews so many throw around at the readers that offer their time to us at no cost. I was SO VERY IMPRESSED with the incredibly kind words that the listeners had to say about about Cori Samuel and her rendition of The Scarlet Letter. Even though the other version was slanderized horribly I still haven't decided but you're words certainly have given me a great day indeed.

Pretty good


(3 stars)

Story: The introduction almost made me give up on this story because it was so long and awful. However, after the actual story began, I found myself intrigued. It was an enjoyable listen even though I must admit that not a whole lot actually happens in the story. Narration: Ms. Samuel does an outstanding job as usual. My only issue were quite a few words that she pronounced differently than how I am used to. I am not sure, however, if that is because she pronounced them wrong or if those words are pronounced differently where she is from. I believe she is British, and I am American. Even so, everything was very clearly heard and easy to understand.

religioucity


(5 stars)

Everyone should read Scarlet Letter. We mustn't forget mistakes our ancestors made in dealing with those who break our rules. Only love can heal the broken hearted...not condemnation. These puritans blew scripture all out of shape...made it a big club to injure. The preachure finally did right at the end though.

AN ENHANCED ALLEGORY


(4.5 stars)

A fine period piece. The reviewers who find it boring simply do not understand the literary mores of the time. Hawthorne embraced these mores with skill to produce this bittersweet story. The interpretation by Cori Samuel was as good as it gets.

Though provoking


(5 stars)

Exceptionally well read, this novel forced me to think about sin in a different light. I was particularly intrigued by the interplay between the three adult characters - it was deep and yet allows the listener to come to their own ideas.

Excellent


(5 stars)

The reader is passionate and clear to hear. I love her pauses and she really brings this book to life.

A wonderful tale of sin and repentance


(5 stars)

I remember reading this book in High School and really enjoying it. What fun to come back and find that it's still as good as I remember. I'm sure much of that's due to the fantastic narrator and here brilliant characterization. Hawthorne has a definite tendency to break away and give more details than one might want but this audio version makes even the more tedious descriptions interesting. I especially enjoyed the end, the fact that such a dark story of sin can leave me praising God for mercy - Bravo