Fly your book-nerd flag high!  Get your book-nerd T-Shirts and more here!

The Sinners All Bow: “Two Authors, One Murder, and the Real Hester Prynne
By: Kate Winkler Dawson
My Rating: THREE out of FIVE Stars
Best For: 16 and up

The Sinners All Bow: Intriguing Premise, Uneven Execution

Kate Winkler Dawson’s “The Sinners All Bow” presents an undeniably intriguing premise: the true story behind Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter,” “co-authored” with the writer of one of America’s first true crime books, and a modern-day investigation into a 200-year-old murder. However, while the potential is there, the delivery ultimately falls a bit short.

About:

In 1832, Sarah Cornell was found dead, and the subsequent investigation and trial became a national sensation. Catharine Williams’s account of the case, “Fall River,” is considered one of the first true-crime narratives in America. Dawson takes on this historical case, exploring the lives of Sarah Cornell, the accused Reverend Ephraim Avery, and Catharine Williams herself. The book delves into the social context of 1830s New England, the rise of Methodism, and the treatment of women during this era. Dawson also aims to bring a modern perspective to the investigation, utilizing contemporary forensic techniques.

Review:

The premise is indeed fascinating. The idea of uncovering the real story behind “The Scarlett Letter’s” Hester Prynne, exploring the evolution of true crime writing, and examining the societal forces at play in the 19th century is compelling. However, I found the execution to be somewhat uneven. The introduction to the characters and setting felt dry and, frankly, boring. While the trial itself was interesting, it occupied a relatively small portion of the book. And the promise of modern-day perspectives and investigative techniques yielding definitive answers? Often resulted in the underwhelming conclusion that “we will never know for sure because it happened 200 years ago.” Which, well, duh.

That said, the book does offer valuable historical insights. Reading about the source material for “The Scarlet Letter” and getting a glimpse into life in 1830s New England was interesting. Dawson covers a lot of ground, exploring not only the murder case but also the biases of the original writer, the rise of Methodism, and the broader social context.

Other reviewers have pointed out some weaknesses in the book’s construction. Some found the narrative disorganized, with information withheld for dramatic effect when it would have been more helpful earlier. The writing has been described as loose and in need of stricter editing. There are also concerns about the book’s unreliability, both in terms of the historical accounts and some of Dawson’s own factual reporting.

Sensitive Content:

* Descriptions of violence committed against the murder victim (from 200 years ago).

Should you read it?

“The Sinners All Bow” offers an intriguing premise and some valuable historical context. However, be prepared for a potentially uneven reading experience. If you’re particularly interested in the historical aspects of the case or the connection to “The Scarlet Letter,” it might be worth exploring. This dad says “The Sinners All Bow” is best for 16 and up.

Happy Reading!