The Invisible Hour Audiobook By Alice Hoffman cover art

The Invisible Hour

A Novel

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The Invisible Hour

By: Alice Hoffman
Narrated by: Jessie Mueller
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About this listen

The latest New York Times best seller from beloved author Alice Hoffman celebrates the enduring magic of books and is a “wonderful story of love and growth” (Stephen King).

One June day when Mia Jacob can no longer see a way to survive, the power of words saves her. The Scarlet Letter was written almost two hundred years earlier, but it seems to tell the story of Mia’s mother, Ivy, and their life inside the Community—an oppressive cult in western Massachusetts where contact with the outside world is forbidden. But how could this be? How could Nathaniel Hawthorne have so perfectly captured the pain and loss that Mia carries inside her?

Through a journey of heartbreak, love, and time, Mia must abandon the rules she was raised with at the Community. As she does, she realizes that reading can transport you to other worlds or bring them to you, and that readers and writers affect one another in mysterious ways. She learns that time is more fluid than she can imagine, and that love is stronger than any chains that bind you.

As a girl Mia fell in love with a book. Now as a young woman she falls in love with a brilliant writer as she makes her way back in time. But what if Nathaniel Hawthorne never wrote The Scarlet Letter? And what if Mia Jacob never found it on the day she planned to die?

From “the reigning queen of magical realism” (Kristin Hannah, New York Times bestselling author), this is the story of one woman’s dream. For a little while it came true.

©2023 Alice Hoffman (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio
Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Occult Scary Heartfelt Emotionally Gripping
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What listeners say about The Invisible Hour

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  • Overall
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enjoyable

Alice Hoffman weaves different times together with a touch of magic. She is the queen of magic in such real way! I just found myself wanting a bit more from the characters stories, but I did really enjoy it and it was a great read. Good twists and turns along the way. <3

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

Had me in the first half

I really enjoyed the story line for part 1 of the book. Part 2 not so much.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

First half was perfect

The first half was a great read hooked me right in. Parts 2 was a major disappointment. At one point I thought it would shift back to match part one, it did not.
I am torn on whether I should recommend this to others.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great beginning

The beginning was a great story of mothers and daughters and found family. The second part was awkward and odd.

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The past is prolog

Good character development based on a known literary figure and people dealing with today's events and attitudes. Ending indicates potential not cut and dried

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Disconnected

Part 2 & 3 did not mesh well for me. It felt implausible & not set up well. Loved the first part of the book. Loved the audible narrator.

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Excellent book - glad I gave it a chance!

Initially I was reluctant to continue listening after the first several minutes, but I’m very glad to have stayed with it!

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The cult aspect

Loved part one despised part 2. If the whole back in time part wasn’t in the book I would have liked it better. Made the book a bit lame

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Enchanting

A tale of love that transcends time and space. I adored the whole journey and the unexpected twists on turns of the characters lives

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Best book I've had the privilege to read in years

I'm speechless by the depth of the characters, the details of the plot and the magic. It was truly a gift to read this book.

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3 people found this helpful