The Invisible Hour: A Novel
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.
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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Community Reviews
I only liked the first half. The second half was way too far fetched to make it an enjoyable story. I like magical stories but this one just didn’t do it for me.
I loved the first half of this book, the second half I was intrigued by the magic it introduced. The love story between Nathaniel and Mia was so sweet, the ending for them was beautiful. I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it to others in the future.
It felt like this book was written by a different author. Not one of her best. The first half was interesting.
This book was an absolute dream, a love letter to libraries and librarians painted against the brilliant backdrop of Massachusetts. Alice Hoffman never disappoints me with her ethereal writing style. There was a magical element I didn't see coming, and I wish there was a little more explanation around that. Also, I have a minor gripe with the ending. That's why I gave this 4 stars, not 5. This is one of my favorite books I read this year.
I really liked the first part of this book, the story of Ivy and how she ran away because she felt misunderstood and unloved. Shunned by her unborn baby's father and her own wealthy yet distant parents. She was young and wanted to make her own decisions and ultimately she trusted the wrong people and ended up in a cult, married to the cult leader.
It then became the story of Ivy's daughter Mia and her own desire to live the life she wanted, outside of the cult's cruelty and stringent rules. Mia does not repeat her mother's mistakes and seeks out help, ultimately escaping and finding a home with 2 librarians.
The part I wasn't sure about was the whole weird "Lake House"-esque thing that the second part had with her inexplicably being able to time travel and fall in love with Nathaniel Hawthorne. It just felt weird and out of place, even though reading his book, " The Scarlett Letter" was what kept Mia going after Ivy's death. The circular explanation for why that happened fell a little short of the mark for me, but was overall still well written and an enjoyable read.
It then became the story of Ivy's daughter Mia and her own desire to live the life she wanted, outside of the cult's cruelty and stringent rules. Mia does not repeat her mother's mistakes and seeks out help, ultimately escaping and finding a home with 2 librarians.
The part I wasn't sure about was the whole weird "Lake House"-esque thing that the second part had with her inexplicably being able to time travel and fall in love with Nathaniel Hawthorne. It just felt weird and out of place, even though reading his book, " The Scarlett Letter" was what kept Mia going after Ivy's death. The circular explanation for why that happened fell a little short of the mark for me, but was overall still well written and an enjoyable read.
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