An "A" for "adultery" marks Hester Prynne as an outcast from the society of colonial Boston. Although forced by the puritanical town fathers to wear a bright red badge of shame, Hester steadfastly resists their efforts to discover the identity of her baby's father. The return of her long-absent spouse brings new pressure on the young mother, as the aggrieved husband undertakes a long-term plot to reveal Hester's partner in adultery and force him to...
This week we celebrate the birthday of acclaimed American-Canadian author John Irving, born on March 3, 1942. With a career that has spanned five decades, his work is marked by a tension between tradition and nonconformity, reverence and rebellion. Here we highlight five of his essential titles, as well as their screen adaptations.