A compelling tale of sin, guilt, and revenge, The Scarlet Letter is also a story of love and forgiveness. Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1850 masterpiece unfolds among the rigidly intolerant Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay colony, where Hester Prynne is condemned to wear the scarlet letter as a badge of shame. Rich in symbolism, the novel offers a uniquely American perspective on spiritual and moral issues. This deluxe hardcover reproduction of a rare 1920 edition features 31 atmospheric watercolor plates by Hugh Thomson, a noted illustrator of classic literature.