The masterpiece novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne transports us to the puritan society of America, in 17th century New England. The central heroine of the book is a woman, Hester Prynne, who is targeted for condemnation and humiliation. Hester is a married woman who will fall into the "sin" of adultery, become pregnant by her lover, and give birth to a beautiful little girl, while her husband is away on a distant journey. Despite society's persecution, she refuses to reveal the name of her lover, and thus her punishment is to forever wear a red cloth on her chest embroidered with the golden initial "A" (Adulteress). This book is provocative, with doses of humor and emotion, it criticizes the hypocrisy of the Puritans and the clergy, it speaks of love, sexual oppression, punishment, and guilt. It undoubtedly remains timeless even today!