Join us for a Rich, Red & Addicting craft activity on Saturday, April 15th at 4:00 pm in our NEW BOOKTIQUE! This in-person adventure compliments our Book Club chat for Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese, BUT PRE-READING IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT…
Local Chicago Artist (Eva Penar) will be demonstrating how to craft Polish Intention Stars: a traditional folk art that uses upcycled paper (including book pages) to conceal written affirmations (similar to the inspiring messages hidden in the embroidery of Isobel, the main character from the featured story). You'll get to make your own custom creations and ask any questions you might have too! NOTE: A percentage of the proceeds for this event will directly support this talented artist.
Psst... If ya didn't read the story with our Book Club, there's still time to pick up a physical copy, audiobook, or Book Box with curated reading pairings below before the event OR join us for the workshop before you dive into the book - your choice!
ABOUT THE BOOK
A hauntingly beautiful - and imagined - origin story to The Scarlet Letter. - People
WHO IS THE REAL HESTER PRYNNE?
Isobel Gamble is a young seamstress carrying generations of secrets when she sets sail from Scotland in the early 1800s with her husband, Edward. An apothecary who has fallen under the spell of opium, his pile of debts have forced them to flee Glasgow for a fresh start in the New World. But only days after they've arrived in Salem, Edward abruptly joins a departing ship as a medic--leaving Isobel penniless and alone in a strange country, forced to make her way by any means possible.
When she meets a young Nathaniel Hawthorne, the two are instantly drawn to each other: he is a man haunted by his ancestors, who sent innocent women to the gallows--while she is an unusually gifted needleworker, troubled by her own strange talents. As the weeks pass and Edward's safe return grows increasingly unlikely, Nathaniel and Isobel grow closer and closer. Together, they are a muse and a dark storyteller; the enchanter and the enchanted. But which is which?
In this sensuous and hypnotizing tale, a young immigrant woman grapples with our country's complicated past, and learns that America's ideas of freedom and liberty often fall short of their promise. Interwoven with Isobel and Nathaniel's story is a vivid interrogation of who gets to be a real American in the first half of the 19th century, a depiction of the early days of the Underground Railroad in New England, and atmospheric interstitials that capture the long history of unusual women being accused of witchcraft. Meticulously researched yet evocatively imagined, Laurie Lico Albanese's Hester is a timeless tale of art, ambition, and desire that examines the roots of female creative power and the men who try to shut it down.
RECOMMENDED FOR: Grown-Ups
OUR BOOKS ARE LISTED BY AGE GROUP to indicate that the content is engaging and appropriate for those selected ages. PLEASE NOTE: They may not be the appropriate reading level for every individual at those ages or may extend beyond the brackets.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publish Date: October 04, 2022
Pages: 336
Dimensions: 6.47 X 9.5 X 1.23 inches | 1.16 pounds
Language: English
Type: Hardcover
Condition: NEW
BOOK BAR BOXES & *GARNISHES*
If you order a New Book Joy Book Box, it will arrive to you or your giftee filled with your chosen title and an assortment of SURPRISE "GARNISH" PAIRING ITEMS, thoughtfully curated for each story.
Those items may include:
- CANDLE TINS from Edgewater Candles
- LOOSELEAF TEA BAGS from Tea Lula
- CHOCOLATES from Veruca Chocolates
- WOODEN BOOKMARKS from Flypaper Products
-
MUGS or GLASSES from Flypaper Products or New Book Joy
- COCKTAIL INFUSION KITS from In High Spirits Infusions or Aged & Infused
- LOTION, OIL, SOAP, or LIP BALM from Homebody Candle Co or Soap Distillery
- PRINTED SOCKS
- BRACELETS
- OTHER LOCAL SMALL BIZZ PAIRINGS
NOTE: If you have a particular preference, or if there are any items listed above that should NOT be included, please let us know in your checkout notes (i.e. scent, flavor, or food allergies, vegan preferences, etc)!
BYOBB (BUILD YOUR OWN BOOK BOX)
If you'd like to CONCOCT YOUR OWN "MIX" from our Book Bar, CHOOSE THE *BOOK + NO SURPRISES* option from our dropdown menu above, click any checkboxes you'd like, and add it to your cart. Then, add any additional "garnish" pairings to your cart from the Perfect Book Pairings Menu below or à la carte from the rest of our shop. Your Book Box will arrive to you or your giftee filled with your chosen title and items.
PERFECT BOOK PAIRINGS MENU:
EDGEWATER CANDLE'S RED GINGER SAFFRON CANDLE, SEQUOIA JASMINE, BIRCH & BLACK PEPPER OR WOODSMOKE CANDLE
PETAL'S ORIGINAL ROSE OR LYCHEE ROSE SPARKLING BOTANICAL BEVERAGE (NA)
TERROIR CHOCOLATE'S CARDAMOM KRUMKAKE BAR
RAAKA CHOCOLATE'S ROSE CARDAMOM BAR
AGED & INFUSED'S NIGHT OWL OR NAVEL GAZER COCKTAIL INFUSION KIT
GRATEFUL TEA CO'S EARL GREY VANILLA CREME LOOSELEAF TEA
Q'S NUTS MAPLE BOURBON ROASTED PECANS
FABDAZ'S SHE BELIEVED SHE COULD, SO SHE DID SOCKS
FLYPAPER'S STRONG WOMEN PENCIL SET
HOMEBODY CANDLE CO'S AMBER + ASH PERFUME OIL ROLLER