Scribner Book Company
The Invisible Hour
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The latest New York Times bestseller from beloved author Alice Hoffman celebrates the enduring magic of books and is a "wonderful story of love and growth" (Stephen King).
One June day when Mia Jacob can no longer see a way to survive, the power of words saves her. The Scarlet Letter was written almost two hundred years earlier, but it seems to tell the story of Mia's mother, Ivy, and their life inside the Community--an oppressive cult in western Massachusetts where contact with the outside world is forbidden. But how could this be? How could Nathaniel Hawthorne have so perfectly captured the pain and loss that Mia carries inside her?
Through a journey of heartbreak, love, and time, Mia must abandon the rules she was raised with at the Community. As she does, she realizes that reading can transport you to other worlds or bring them to you, and that readers and writers affect one another in mysterious ways. She learns that time is more fluid than she can imagine, and that love is stronger than any chains that bind you.
As a girl Mia fell in love with a book. Now as a young woman she falls in love with a brilliant writer as she makes her way back in time. But what if Nathaniel Hawthorne never wrote The Scarlet Letter? And what if Mia Jacob never found it on the day she planned to die?
From "the reigning queen of magical realism" (Kristin Hannah, New York Times bestselling author), this is the story of one woman's dream. For a little while it came true.
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Book Details
ISBN:
9781982175382
EAN:
9781982175382
Binding:
Paperback
Pages:
272
Authors:
Alice Hoffman
Publisher:
Scribner Book Company
Published Date: 2024-21-05
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This story of two women, a mother and a daughter, who fight for the right to make there own choices resonates in this time where women are facing the threat to our rights and ability to make our own choices. Throughout history women have had to fight for those rights, as shown when Mia travels back in time to meet Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author of The Scarlet Letter, and compares her own, her mother’s struggle with the women of that period. The book also speaks to the importance of books to inform our journey.
Alice Hoffman’s newest novel, The Invisible Hour, showcases the author's remarkable talent for weaving together elements of magic and reality. A genuinely good book, that features a plot twist that I found surprising.The novel centers on a mother and daughter who live in a cult. There are many themes: women's fight for equality and bodily autonomy, female solidarity, the art of writing, and a sweet love story that deep dives into the world of Nathaniel Hawthorne and the 'Scarlet Letter'.The writing itself wonderful. The prose is filled with memorable gems, and her characters are richly developed and believable. The settings are vividly written, from Boston, to the Berkshire Mountains to (Salem, Massachusetts in the 1830s), and finally into modern day New York City.The astonishing twist in the story hooked me right in as we went back in time. There was a good flow for the changes of scenery. It reminded me of Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander". If you enjoyed that one, you'll enjoy this read as well. I read this for my book club and the consensus was a thumbs up!
Although I thought it was well written, I didn’t care for this book. This was my first by Alice Hoffman, so I don’t know if this is her usual style. I don’t mind fantasy, time travel, etc., but I didn’t care for the magical elements in this plot (without giving anything away). I didn’t think the “magic” was well done and seemed like a cheap vehicle for the plot. My dislike may be in part because I listened to the audiobook more than I read. The narrator had a plodding, almost monosyllabic style that I intensely disliked. I’m used to narrators that bring the book to life and enthuse the story with action and personality. This narrator left me feeling constantly annoyed and depressed. I disagreed with Ivy’s and Mia’s decisions and felt frustrated by their choices. The character Joel was portrayed as almost omniscient- knowing everything and being everywhere. The ultimate stalker. I struggled with my rating. 1* felt too harsh but 3* might be too generous for my feelings.
The Invisible Hour is a quickly paced story of love, struggle, family, and fantasy. If you enjoy books, reading about them and heartfelt stories, you'll like this good read.
Nothing can keep one from their destiny... row row row your boat gently down the stream...never to end but begin again...
