The Scarlet Letter Audiobook By Nathaniel Hawthorne cover art

The Scarlet Letter

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

The Scarlet Letter

By: Nathaniel Hawthorne
Narrated by: Ian Lynch
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.95

Buy for $19.95

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s, magnum opus, tells the story of Hester Prynne, who gives birth two years after separation from her husband and is condemned to wear the scarlet letter A on her breast as punishment for her adultery. She resists all attempts of the 17th century Boston clergy to make her reveal the name of her child’s father while she struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity.

Public Domain (P)2011 Cherry Hill Publishing Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Regency Regency Romance Romance Heartfelt
Classic Literature • Insightful Character Development • Beautifully Written Prose • Profound Details • Suspenseful Plot
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
I felt required to read this because it is a part of history. I don't like the repressive-ness of the described society. Found it hard to take. If that sticks in your craw avoid this. But in it's defense it is historically a significant piece of literature that paints a portrait of human nature seeking free air. In that way I guess it is inspiring. On the other hand (no pun intended) I do not find it necessary to read explicit description of knife cuts to the fingers while cooking to process food safely. This is a bit obtuse but I did not find it an uplifting story. Sorry Nate.

Gimme an "A"! what zat spell

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I love how this story takes you deep into the heart and soul of this woman of so much strength and courage. The truth will always be told in the end.

Love it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Where does The Scarlet Letter rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is among my top three.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved that that the story unfolds so beautifully. Although you know what is going to happen from the beginning it is very compelling and has lots of very lovely moments.

What about Ian Lynch’s performance did you like?

I think the narrator made this perfect. He uses appropriate tone, pronunciation and pacing of delivery for the period in which the novel is based. The different characters- male/female/child whilst easily differentiated are not made into an over the top performance. First class narrator.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

There is good use of music for chapter/scene breaks.

A joy to listen to

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Scarlet Letter to be better than the print version?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Read the cliff notes to this book to fully appreciate the themes that feel like superfluous description

Hawthorne is long winded

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great voice, although I didn't love his vocal interruption of the various characters... Personal preference,i suppose. Overall good

Great story. Good narration.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Poignant what sinners we all are and yet in Hester's time all were blond to theirs but she.
She bite her sin and never really received relief, she used her sorrow for good to help others.

Exceptional

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a great book. I recommend it and know all who read will enjoy.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It is very enjoyable listening.

Great book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Loved the Book. Read it in HS and College and now I am 47 yrs old am loved it again

Dis not care for the Voice of the narrator at all.

Loved the book; not the Voice

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Would not recommend to anyone under 90 years old, it isterrible. Hawthorne does not know when to stop talking and get to the point.

Good narrator bad book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Love the story. Read many years ago. I was excited to re read after my obsession with the Handmaids Tale. The story didn’t disappoint. The performance was painful. I had to force myself to make it through the first few chapters. Re record and it will be great again.

Story for all times

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews