The Scarlet Letter (version 2)


Read by Cori Samuel

(4.6 stars; 636 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 (9 hr 25 min)

Chapters

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

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.


(4 stars)

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

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.

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

a perfect reading of Hawthorne’s most well known novel


(5 stars)

Hawthorne’s classic is better studied using the folks at LibriVox. It has been read and studied for over 250 years but it’s popularity waned in part due to the success of Uncle Tom’s Cabin but also because it’s not an easy book to read. That was why I tried to use a reading and mostly followed along this time. The folks at LibriVox provide a number of great voices and unlike Audible etc it’s free of charge. An American classic with a stellar reading all for free. Well done!

boring book - excellent reader


(3 stars)

all 3 stars go to the reader. a fantastic job. great volume and pausing and voicing of characters. the book however, is boring. from the first few scenes described you have story plot figured out. sometimes thats okay, because even if you know where the story is going - you can enjoy the journey. but not in this story, long drawn out thoughts though some excellent detailed descriptions. really just a book to read to help understand early puritan superstitions and beliefs.


(5 stars)

The story is very unfortunately an accurate picture not only of the time in which it is set, but also of what religion and its leaders are capable of. Relationship with Jesus Christ is what is missing from this story, and as a result, one can see how futile it is to try to be good and live an acceptable life. Cori Samuel is one of the best narrators I have heard on LibriVox. I really enjoy the cadence and tone of her reading. ☺️