1
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.
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:
- 1Les Misérables by Victor Hugo4.2
- 2The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald4.4
- 3The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult0
- 4Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens5.0
- 5The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah4.3
- 6The Rose Code by Kate Quinn0
- 7The Book Thief by Markus Zusak4.6
- 8Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver4.5
- 9The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris4.1
- 10Strangers in Time: A World War II Novel by David Baldacci4.4
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.
We may earn a small commission from purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
Detailed Recommendations
2
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
4.41925180 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a elegiac and haunting tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
3
by Jodi Picoult
0
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a devastating yet thoughtful 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 Kristin Hannah
4.32021464 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a devastating but dignified tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
6
by Kate Quinn
0
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a heartbreaking yet triumphant tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
7
by Markus Zusak
4.62014
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a haunting but beautiful tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
8
by Barbara Kingsolver
4.52022560 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a gritty yet compassionate tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
9
by Kristina McMorris
4.12025416 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a harrowing but determined tone that will resonate with The Scarlet Letter fans.
10
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.
Quick Comparison: Books Like The Scarlet Letter
| Book | Author | Rating | Year | Pages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Les Misérables | Victor Hugo | 4.2 | 1862 | 1480 | Closest match |
| The Great Gatsby | F. Scott Fitzgerald | 4.4 | 1925 | 180 | Similar vibes |
| The Storyteller | Jodi Picoult | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| Tale of Two Cities | Charles Dickens | 5.0 | 2011 | — | Similar vibes |
| The Four Winds | Kristin Hannah | 4.3 | 2021 | 464 | Similar vibes |
| The Rose Code | Kate Quinn | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| The Book Thief | Markus Zusak | 4.6 | 2014 | — | Similar vibes |
| Demon Copperhead | Barbara Kingsolver | 4.5 | 2022 | 560 | Similar vibes |
| The Girls of Good Fortune | Kristina McMorris | 4.1 | 2025 | 416 | Similar vibes |
| Strangers in Time: A World War II Novel | David Baldacci | 4.4 | 2025 | 608 | 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 Les Misérables, The Great Gatsby, The Storyteller.
What should I read after The Scarlet Letter?
After finishing The Scarlet Letter, readers most commonly pick up Les Misérables 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.