Classics
The Scarlet Letter
In seventeenth-century Puritan Boston, Hester Prynne is made to wear a scarlet letter A for adultery. She refuses to name her child's father while her long-lost husband arrives in town under a false identity.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1850
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 279
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a short classic about guilt, shame and community judgement.
Skip this if you want an easy, fast narrative, since the style is dense and symbolic.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Scarlet Letter
- What is The Scarlet Letter about?
- In seventeenth-century Puritan Boston, Hester Prynne is made to wear a scarlet letter A for adultery. She refuses to name her child's father while her long-lost husband arrives in town under a false identity.
- Who should read The Scarlet Letter?
- Read it if you want a short classic about guilt, shame and community judgement. Skip it if you want an easy, fast narrative, since the style is dense and symbolic.
- How long and how fast is The Scarlet Letter?
- It is a slow-paced, short read of about 279 pages, first published in 1850.
- Does The Scarlet Letter have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Infidelity.
- Can I borrow The Scarlet Letter for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Scarlet Letter; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Scarlet Letter?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Handmaid's Tale, Madame Bovary.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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