The Scarlet Letter' (1850) is a historical romantic fiction novel written by American author Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864). 'It is considered to be his magnum opus. Set in 17th-century Puritan Boston, Massachusetts during the years 1642 to 1649, it tells the story of Hester Prynne, who conceives a daughter through an adulterous affair and struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity. Throughout the book, Hawthorne explores themes of legalism, sin and guilt.' (Citation from Wikiped