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Book Review of The Sinners All Bow: Two Authors, One Murder, and the Real Hester Prynne

The Sinners All Bow: Two Authors, One Murder, and the Real Hester Prynne
cathyskye avatar reviewed on + 2360 more book reviews


Having read previous books by Dawson, I know she's a master at picking fascinating topics, and-- of course-- I have memories of reading Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter in high school. (I didn't like his writing style, but the story certainly stuck with me.) I've also been known to dive into true crime now and again, so... there's no way I could've ignored The Sinners All Bow.

Dawson's research brings to light a murder victim who preferred the autonomy of millwork and refused to settle down with a husband and children. Her research also brought to light questions about author Catharine Williams. Yes, she was the first author to advocate for the crime victim, but could everything she wrote be trusted to be fact?

Dawson's deep dive into the history of the times and the backgrounds of the major players (Sarah Maria Cornell, Catharine Williams, Reverend Ephraim Avery) brings to light some fascinating facts-- including ones that prove we haven't changed all that much in two hundred years.

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)