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Esther
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136 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1883
34 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Henry Adams
824 books135 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Noted Henry Brooks Adams wrote his nine-volume History of the United States during the Administrations of Jefferson and Madison (1889-1891) and also The Education of Henry Adams , a famous autobiography, in 1918.
This oldest and most distinguished family in Boston produced John Adams and John Qunicy Adams, two American presidents, and thus gave Henry the opportunity to pursue a wide-ranging variety of intellectual interests during the course of his life. Functioning in the worlds of both practical men and affairs as a journalist and an assistant to his father, an American diplomat in Washington and London, and of ideas as a prolific writer, as the editor of the prestigious North American Review, and as a professor of medieval, European, and American history at Harvard, Adams of the few men of his era attempted to understand art, thought and culture as one complex force field of interacting energies.
He published Mont Saint Michel and Chartres , his masterwork in this dazzling effort, in 1904. Taken together with his other books, Adams in this spiritual, monumental volume attempts to bring together into a vast synthesis all of his knowledge of politics, economics, psychology, science, philosophy, art, and literature to attempt to understand the place of the individual in society. They constitute one of the greatest philosophical meditations on the human condition in all of literature.
Noted Henry Brooks Adams wrote his nine-volume History of the United States during the Administrations of Jefferson and Madison (1889-1891) and also The Education of Henry Adams , a famous autobiography, in 1918.
This oldest and most distinguished family in Boston produced John Adams and John Qunicy Adams, two American presidents, and thus gave Henry the opportunity to pursue a wide-ranging variety of intellectual interests during the course of his life. Functioning in the worlds of both practical men and affairs as a journalist and an assistant to his father, an American diplomat in Washington and London, and of ideas as a prolific writer, as the editor of the prestigious North American Review, and as a professor of medieval, European, and American history at Harvard, Adams of the few men of his era attempted to understand art, thought and culture as one complex force field of interacting energies.
He published Mont Saint Michel and Chartres , his masterwork in this dazzling effort, in 1904. Taken together with his other books, Adams in this spiritual, monumental volume attempts to bring together into a vast synthesis all of his knowledge of politics, economics, psychology, science, philosophy, art, and literature to attempt to understand the place of the individual in society. They constitute one of the greatest philosophical meditations on the human condition in all of literature.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 27, 2008
Henry Brooks Adams was a preeminent historian, great-grandson of John Adams, the second President of the United States of America, and grandson John Quincy Adams, the sixth President. He wrote only two novels – Democracy (1880) and Esther (1884) – the first of which was published anonymously (Adams was revealed as the author in 1909) and Esther under the nom de plume Frances Compton Snow. His reasons for doing so are not entirely clear, but perhaps he felt they might detract from his epic histories – the nine volume The History of the United States During the Administrations of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison 1801 – 1817 (1889 - 1891), the biographies The Life of Albert Gallatin (1879) and John Randolph (1882) and his other work collecting and collating material on New England Federalism (1877). What would the author of such austere histories be doing writing a frothy romance novel about a young woman falling for Episcopal minister?
Esther appeared in the Penguin Classics range relatively recently (2000) but has very quickly fallen out of print, perhaps an indicator of Adams’s obscure status in American letters. Very little of his work is available in commonplace editions, and though the majority of his work can be found between Project Gutenberg (whose text of Esther I used to review) and The Million Books Project, it is clear from download counters at the MBP that few people are interested in what Adams has to say. In conjunction with my reading of Esther I have been reviewing his History of the United States, and it is abundantly clear that Adams is a forgotten genius. His monumental History is a masterpiece of nineteenth century intellectual thought, unafraid to face up to the challenge of seeing the bigger picture of American development in the early part of that century. The chapters that deal with cultural and social life in the key American cities of the day are superlative and should be read by anybody with even a passing interest in this period of history. Through reading the History it is also clear that Adams has a novelist’s eye for the story, which makes his move to fiction unsurprising.
The publication of the anonymous Democracy became a publishing sensation, with many illegal copies of the novel being sold as people tried to work out the identity of the author and who the characters in the novels political scandal were based upon. Adams would later remark, ironically, “”The wholesale piracy of Democracy was the single real triumph of my life.”
When Esther appeared in 1884 there was nothing to connect Frances Compton Snow to either Democracy or Henry Adams, other than Adams resorts to satirical wit. Esther, as already noted, tells of one woman’s love for an Episcopal minister, Stephen Hazard. Adams decision to publish under a female nom de plume made Esther’s decisions in this novel seem all the more valid to contemporary readers.
When reading Esther today ones first thought is to those 1930s screwball romantic comedies of which this seems to be an antecedent. The plot line seems obvious, but it is the clash of personalities and opinions that will provide the tension. Esther is going to meet the handsome Hazard, they will fall quickly in love but obstacles will be placed in their way and at the end, after a pursuit, Esther will marry Hazard. And indeed they do meet, there are obstacles (of an intellectual and religious kind, but obstacles nevertheless), there is a pursuit from New York to Niagara, and at novels climax, as the waters of the Niagara tumble over the Falls, Henry Adams manages to confound all expectation with a last line of such devastating impact, that you are sure the power of has been felt all the way back to New York.
In the screwball comedies the obstacles would have been of a physical pratfall nature, but in Adams world they contain arguments about religion, science, art, and poetry. It is over art that Esther Dudley first truly becomes intimate with Stephen Hazard, as she is employed to paint a mural within the church. Along with her confidant, Catherine, a sassy southern woman who dreams of owning her own ranch in Colorado – and one you believe most certainly will for Adams seems adept at creating strong, confident women – they paint not iconography, but themselves and the men they love – Catherine with Wharton.
“By our lady of love!” said Wharton, with a start and a laugh; “now I see what mischief you three have been at!”
“The church would not have been complete without it,” said Esther timidly.
For several minutes Wharton looked in silence at the St. Cecilia and at the figure which now seemed its companion; then he said, turning away:
“I shall not be the first unworthy saint the church has canonized.”
Ch. 5
Even through their serious discussions there is the comedic undertow, always this urge from Adams to undermine his characters, afraid that without the gentle mocking their solemnity would become oppressive. Almost at the end of the novel does it become so:
Hazard’s solitary thoughts were not quite so pointless. The danger of disappointment and defeat roused in him the instinct of martyrdom. He was sure that all mankind would suffer if he failed to get the particular wife he wanted. “It is not a selfish struggle,” he thought.
“It is a human soul I am trying to save, and I will do it in the teeth of all the powers of darkness. If I can but set right this systematically misguided conscience, the task is done. It is the affair of a moment when once the light comes;–A flash! A miracle! If I cannot wield this fire from Heaven, I am unfit to touch it. Let it burn me up!”
Ch. 9
The one reason I can see for this novels lack of popularity is the long central argument in the middle where Esther and Hazard and others discuss religion and science, and where Adams’s agendas seems to subsume the story he is telling. There are, it has to be said, some erudite thoughts here, but they sit disconcertingly next to a dry wit of a story.
Along with fellow New York chronicler, Edith Wharton, Henry Adams is interested in the lives of women, particularly of independent women who buck the societal norm. Esther is a truly independent woman who refutes the status quo, and whose decision at the end of this novel will affect her totally. It is unclear whether Esther will find happiness in her decision, but she is willing to stand by her beliefs. She is a frighteningly real character, based upon Adams’s own wife, Marian, who just a year after the publication of this novel, committed suicide, following the death of her father.
After Esther and his personal loss, Henry Adams retired from novel writing. He took to travelling the world with his friend, the artist John La Farge, and Adams’s produced a few more works, histories and biographies mainly, published privately. His two final works, Mont-Saint-Michel and Chartres (1904) and The Education of Henry Adams (1907), for which he is now remembered. Both were published in the Penguin Classics series and will be reviewed shortly.
Esther appeared in the Penguin Classics range relatively recently (2000) but has very quickly fallen out of print, perhaps an indicator of Adams’s obscure status in American letters. Very little of his work is available in commonplace editions, and though the majority of his work can be found between Project Gutenberg (whose text of Esther I used to review) and The Million Books Project, it is clear from download counters at the MBP that few people are interested in what Adams has to say. In conjunction with my reading of Esther I have been reviewing his History of the United States, and it is abundantly clear that Adams is a forgotten genius. His monumental History is a masterpiece of nineteenth century intellectual thought, unafraid to face up to the challenge of seeing the bigger picture of American development in the early part of that century. The chapters that deal with cultural and social life in the key American cities of the day are superlative and should be read by anybody with even a passing interest in this period of history. Through reading the History it is also clear that Adams has a novelist’s eye for the story, which makes his move to fiction unsurprising.
The publication of the anonymous Democracy became a publishing sensation, with many illegal copies of the novel being sold as people tried to work out the identity of the author and who the characters in the novels political scandal were based upon. Adams would later remark, ironically, “”The wholesale piracy of Democracy was the single real triumph of my life.”
When Esther appeared in 1884 there was nothing to connect Frances Compton Snow to either Democracy or Henry Adams, other than Adams resorts to satirical wit. Esther, as already noted, tells of one woman’s love for an Episcopal minister, Stephen Hazard. Adams decision to publish under a female nom de plume made Esther’s decisions in this novel seem all the more valid to contemporary readers.
When reading Esther today ones first thought is to those 1930s screwball romantic comedies of which this seems to be an antecedent. The plot line seems obvious, but it is the clash of personalities and opinions that will provide the tension. Esther is going to meet the handsome Hazard, they will fall quickly in love but obstacles will be placed in their way and at the end, after a pursuit, Esther will marry Hazard. And indeed they do meet, there are obstacles (of an intellectual and religious kind, but obstacles nevertheless), there is a pursuit from New York to Niagara, and at novels climax, as the waters of the Niagara tumble over the Falls, Henry Adams manages to confound all expectation with a last line of such devastating impact, that you are sure the power of has been felt all the way back to New York.
In the screwball comedies the obstacles would have been of a physical pratfall nature, but in Adams world they contain arguments about religion, science, art, and poetry. It is over art that Esther Dudley first truly becomes intimate with Stephen Hazard, as she is employed to paint a mural within the church. Along with her confidant, Catherine, a sassy southern woman who dreams of owning her own ranch in Colorado – and one you believe most certainly will for Adams seems adept at creating strong, confident women – they paint not iconography, but themselves and the men they love – Catherine with Wharton.
“By our lady of love!” said Wharton, with a start and a laugh; “now I see what mischief you three have been at!”
“The church would not have been complete without it,” said Esther timidly.
For several minutes Wharton looked in silence at the St. Cecilia and at the figure which now seemed its companion; then he said, turning away:
“I shall not be the first unworthy saint the church has canonized.”
Ch. 5
Even through their serious discussions there is the comedic undertow, always this urge from Adams to undermine his characters, afraid that without the gentle mocking their solemnity would become oppressive. Almost at the end of the novel does it become so:
Hazard’s solitary thoughts were not quite so pointless. The danger of disappointment and defeat roused in him the instinct of martyrdom. He was sure that all mankind would suffer if he failed to get the particular wife he wanted. “It is not a selfish struggle,” he thought.
“It is a human soul I am trying to save, and I will do it in the teeth of all the powers of darkness. If I can but set right this systematically misguided conscience, the task is done. It is the affair of a moment when once the light comes;–A flash! A miracle! If I cannot wield this fire from Heaven, I am unfit to touch it. Let it burn me up!”
Ch. 9
The one reason I can see for this novels lack of popularity is the long central argument in the middle where Esther and Hazard and others discuss religion and science, and where Adams’s agendas seems to subsume the story he is telling. There are, it has to be said, some erudite thoughts here, but they sit disconcertingly next to a dry wit of a story.
Along with fellow New York chronicler, Edith Wharton, Henry Adams is interested in the lives of women, particularly of independent women who buck the societal norm. Esther is a truly independent woman who refutes the status quo, and whose decision at the end of this novel will affect her totally. It is unclear whether Esther will find happiness in her decision, but she is willing to stand by her beliefs. She is a frighteningly real character, based upon Adams’s own wife, Marian, who just a year after the publication of this novel, committed suicide, following the death of her father.
After Esther and his personal loss, Henry Adams retired from novel writing. He took to travelling the world with his friend, the artist John La Farge, and Adams’s produced a few more works, histories and biographies mainly, published privately. His two final works, Mont-Saint-Michel and Chartres (1904) and The Education of Henry Adams (1907), for which he is now remembered. Both were published in the Penguin Classics series and will be reviewed shortly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2016
Another tale where I did not know what to expect. I thought it would be a standard classic romance tale. I was pleasantly surprised. There were elements of that kind of story, and yet it is much more than that.
The author is using that scenario to try and debate larger subjects such as the essence of art, religion vs science, love vs reason, intelligence vs beauty amongst others.
A very intelligent and under-appreciated piece. One that will probably divide opinions. Some will love it, others will detest it completely. Many will simply not understand it.
The author is using that scenario to try and debate larger subjects such as the essence of art, religion vs science, love vs reason, intelligence vs beauty amongst others.
A very intelligent and under-appreciated piece. One that will probably divide opinions. Some will love it, others will detest it completely. Many will simply not understand it.
April 16, 2019
This one was really interesting! It had insightful ideas and symbolic imagery, especially toward the end of the book. For the first 20 pages, it can be a bit difficult to follow the witty conversations of the characters and understand the larger context, but once the book warms up, it is fascinating. I love the larger romance metaphor as an illustration for the struggle between faith and doubt. There are also several beautiful sentences in here.
April 19, 2023
Just finished the classic ‘Esther’ by Henry Adams who originally released it under the name Frances Snow Compton - presumably because he thought the main readers would be women.
And although the central plot is: will Esther and Hazard marry, yet it is not really a romance novel but a vehicle to explore his ideas. Esther is a free-thinker who hates the church and doesn’t believe in any of its doctrines. Hazard is a minister of a notable church who prides himself on his orthodoxy. They fall in love…
The main idea that resonated with me was that love and faith are two different things and just because you love someone doesn’t mean you can change what you believe about the world even if you really really want to. And also being ‘in love’ can mean being in love with an imagined ideal rather than listening to the person and accepting what they say about themselves as true.
Hazard fundamentally misunderstands Esther - he thinks that because she accepts all his advice on how to improve her painting for his church, that she would be as easily controlled in all life matters whereas in fact she is a very independent woman. He is in love with someone imagined.
I should add Hazard very much believed in religion as something hopeful as opposed to atheism but I didn’t not see any evidence of a personal relationship with God nor does the author himself seem to have one.
So I think this is a useful book but more a thought-provoking read than enjoyable. Kudos to the author on creating a genuine barrier to a romance.
And although the central plot is: will Esther and Hazard marry, yet it is not really a romance novel but a vehicle to explore his ideas. Esther is a free-thinker who hates the church and doesn’t believe in any of its doctrines. Hazard is a minister of a notable church who prides himself on his orthodoxy. They fall in love…
The main idea that resonated with me was that love and faith are two different things and just because you love someone doesn’t mean you can change what you believe about the world even if you really really want to. And also being ‘in love’ can mean being in love with an imagined ideal rather than listening to the person and accepting what they say about themselves as true.
Hazard fundamentally misunderstands Esther - he thinks that because she accepts all his advice on how to improve her painting for his church, that she would be as easily controlled in all life matters whereas in fact she is a very independent woman. He is in love with someone imagined.
I should add Hazard very much believed in religion as something hopeful as opposed to atheism but I didn’t not see any evidence of a personal relationship with God nor does the author himself seem to have one.
So I think this is a useful book but more a thought-provoking read than enjoyable. Kudos to the author on creating a genuine barrier to a romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2019
A very unique plotline of a clergyman trying to tie the knot with a woman raised as an atheist. The struggles of Esther being torn amid her atheistic views and her lover's theological ones are beautifully portrayed. Of all the characters, the quirky George Strong and the naive Catherine Brook stand out. A worthy read overall!
December 13, 2023
Headstrong socialite gets mixed up in an art project at a church, falls for the minister, then realizes she can't stand the ways of the church. You can picture this as a Merchant & Ivory production with some humor, but as written there isn't much out and out humor but more a comedy, or is it a tragedy, of "modern beliefs" meeting a congregation. Enjoyable.
September 29, 2017
A great piece of classic literature. This book explores the interactions between art, science and religion. It delves into the struggles of women as their place in the world was evolving. Great language, a great story and deep insights. I loved everything about this book.
July 20, 2019
A really fine short novel about faith and lack of faith, religious arrogance, and the limits of love and emotion.
December 24, 2025
As Kelly Clarkson sings in her debut, ground-breaking EP "Breakaway", I ask Mr. Adams, "Where Is Your Heart?" I thought the premise could not be more up my alley - a priest and an atheist fall in love over art and literature, forbidden romance, etc.; the actual experience felt a bit too cold and cerebral for me to fully sink in to the story. I don't think I got enough of their falling in love to make me care about their falling out of love.
August 10, 2022
Another author/book mentioned by Russell Kirk in The Conservative Mind. I enjoyed reading it.
March 26, 2024
some beautiful meditations on the relationships between religion, art, and science although I found Catherine's story more compelling than Esther's
April 16, 2025
A good read if you are interested in intellectual debates on religious dogma or doctrine, and how it can interfere with personal relationships-- indeed, its negative impact on love between a good man and a good woman. Also important here is Henry Adams critique the social expectations placed on women during the late 19th century that still exist today.
There are a few good quotes from this novel, here on Goodreads to indulge in.
There are a few good quotes from this novel, here on Goodreads to indulge in.
March 11, 2012
Very interesting look at the intellectual struggles of the late 19th century, and compare them to today. This book was written in 1883. I read this book on my ipad, it was a free download from the itunes store.
May 1, 2012
Really enjoyed the characters, but not much of a story line - more a theological dispute. As a book of it's time, doesn't strike you as having been written by a man. I did really get into the book, but felt often like something was missing.
September 5, 2016
Situationism? Great word i don't really know what it means but it might apply to this novel.I just found it a bit boring.I tried to read it, and and did read it. But afterwords i just felt that i lost a few hours of my life that i would never get back.
August 23, 2010
I don't know what I was supposed to learn. I read it because it was Henry Adams, Great Grandson of John Adams, a historian. I thought it would be good, but I just don't get it.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews