1
by Kazuo Ishiguro
4.42010
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a quietly devastating tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
10 Best Books Like The Scarlet Letter
If you loved The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, here are the most similar books our readers recommend.
Quick Answer
The best books like The Scarlet Letter are:
- 1The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro4.4
- 2Gilead by Marilynne Robinson4.2
- 3Beloved by Toni Morrison4.5
- 4Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens5.0
- 5Les Misérables by Victor Hugo4.2
- 6Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky4.7
- 7The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett4.4
- 8The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead4.4
- 9Strangers in Time: A World War II Novel by David Baldacci4.4
- 10The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley4.5
In Puritan New England, Hester Prynne is forced to wear a scarlet "A" as punishment for adultery, but refuses to reveal her lover's identity, protecting the tormented Reverend Dimmesdale who shares her secret shame. As Hester's vengeful husband arrives in disguise seeking the truth, three lives become entangled in a web of guilt, redemption, and the deadly consequences of hidden sin. Hawthorne's masterpiece explores whether true forgiveness is possible in a society built on moral judgment and the avoidance of sin.
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Detailed Recommendations
2
by Marilynne Robinson
4.22006368 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a contemplative and luminous tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
3
by Toni Morrison
4.51989
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a haunting and profound tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
4
by Charles Dickens
5.02011
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a tragic yet redemptive tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
5
by Victor Hugo
4.218621480 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a epic and humanistic tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
6
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
4.72012608 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a dark and psychologically intense tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
7
by Brit Bennett
4.4202112 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a melancholy and contemplative tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
8
by Colson Whitehead
4.42016306 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a harrowing yet dignified tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
9
by David Baldacci
4.42025608 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a melancholic but hopeful tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
10
by Susanna Kearsley
4.52025384 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a tense but romantic tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
Quick Comparison: Books Like The Scarlet Letter
| Book | Author | Rating | Year | Pages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Remains of the Day | Kazuo Ishiguro | 4.4 | 2010 | — | Closest match |
| Gilead | Marilynne Robinson | 4.2 | 2006 | 368 | Similar vibes |
| Beloved | Toni Morrison | 4.5 | 1989 | — | Similar vibes |
| Tale of Two Cities | Charles Dickens | 5.0 | 2011 | — | Similar vibes |
| Les Misérables | Victor Hugo | 4.2 | 1862 | 1480 | Similar vibes |
| Crime and Punishment | Fyodor Dostoevsky | 4.7 | 2012 | 608 | Similar vibes |
| The Vanishing Half | Brit Bennett | 4.4 | 2021 | 12 | Similar vibes |
| The Underground Railroad | Colson Whitehead | 4.4 | 2016 | 306 | Similar vibes |
| Strangers in Time: A World War II Novel | David Baldacci | 4.4 | 2025 | 608 | Similar vibes |
| The King's Messenger | Susanna Kearsley | 4.5 | 2025 | 384 | Similar vibes |
Authors Who Write Like Nathaniel Hawthorne
If you enjoy Nathaniel Hawthorne's writing style, explore these similar authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books are most similar to The Scarlet Letter?
The most similar books to The Scarlet Letter are The Remains of the Day, Gilead, Beloved.
What should I read after The Scarlet Letter?
After finishing The Scarlet Letter, readers most commonly pick up The Remains of the Day next.
Who writes books like Nathaniel Hawthorne?
Authors similar to Nathaniel Hawthorne include Madeline Miller, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Brit Bennett, Patti Callahan Henry, Colson Whitehead.
What genre is The Scarlet Letter?
The Scarlet Letter is a Literary Fiction novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, published in 2005. It features elements of Redemption.
How long is The Scarlet Letter?
The Scarlet Letter is 212 pages long.
About The Scarlet Letter
This Prestwick House Literary Touchstone Edition™ includes the full text of the novel plus a glossary and reader’s notes to help the modern reader contend with Hawthorne’s complex approach to the human condition.Arguably Nathaniel Hawthorne’s most famous novel, The Scarlet Letter probes the very root of the age-old question, "What is good?" Can there be redemption in a society where the only good is the avoidance of sin? Through the characters of the beautiful and independent Hester Prynne, the pious yet guilt-ridden Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, and the vengeance-obsessed Roger Chillingworth, Hawthorne explores the range of human response to sin and the deadly consequences of the inability to forgive oneself and others. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne peers into the shadows of the soul to reveal the doubt, fear, and guilt that, try as we might to deny them, form the foundations of our existence.