Nathaniel Hawthorne : Tales and Sketches (Library of America)
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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Member Reviews
This was a hard book to rate. Yet, I feel I have done so appropriately. While there is a wealth of stories and sketches that abound in this volume, most are sort of whimsical and lack punch. However, there are gems here- stories that are written wonderfully in elegant yet concise language that shows you the best of what Hawthorne can do and what he is capable of. Therefore, I still think this should be important for those interested in American Literature .
2.75 stars.
2.75 stars.
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Author Information
890+ Works 78,930 Members
Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts. When he was four years old, his father died. Years later, with financial help from his maternal relatives who recognized his literary talent, Hawthorne was able to enroll in Bowdoin College. Among his classmates were the important literary and political figures Horatio Bridge, show more Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Franklin Pierce. These friends supplied Hawthorne with employment during the early years after graduation while Hawthorne was still establishing himself as a legitimate author. Hawthorne's first novel, Fanshawe, which he self-published in 1828, wasn't quite the success that he had hoped it would be. Not willing to give up, he began writing stories for Twice-Told Tales. These stories established Hawthorne as a leading writer. In 1842, Hawthorne moved to Concord, Massachusetts, where he wrote a number of tales, including "Rappaccini's Daughter" and "Young Goodman Brown," that were later published as Mosses from an Old Manse. The overall theme of Hawthorne's novels was a deep concern with ethical problems of sin, punishment, and atonement. No one novel demonstrated that more vividly than The Scarlet Letter. This tale about the adulterous Puritan Hester Prynne is regarded as Hawthorne's best work and is a classic of American literature. Other famous novels written by Hawthorne include The House of Seven Gables and The Blithedale Romance. In 1852, Hawthorne wrote a campaign biography of his college friend Franklin Pierce. After Pierce was elected as President of the United States, he rewarded Hawthorne with the Consulship at Liverpool, England. Hawthorne died in his sleep on May 19, 1864, while on a trip with Franklin Pierce. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Belongs to Publisher Series
Library of America (002)
Work Relationships
Contains
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1837 (Twice-told tales ) (Twice-told tales ); 1842 (Twice-told tales, expanded ed.) (Twice-told tales, expanded ed.); 1846 (Mosses...) (Mosses...); 1852 (Snow-image...) (Snow-image...); 1853 (Twice-told tales, last ed.) (Twice-told tales, last ed.); 1854 (Mosses, expanded ed.) (Mosses, expanded ed.)
- People/Characters
- Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Important places
- Salem, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts, USA
- Important events
- Romanticism; 19th century
- First words
- In those strange old times, when fantastic dreams and madmen's reveries were realized among the actual circumstances of life, two persons met together at an appointed hour and place.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)At the sight of the glorious radiance of the Golden Fleece, the nine-and-forty heroes gave a mighty shout; and Orpheus, striking his harp, sang a song of triumph, to the cadence of which the galley flew over the water, homeward bound, as if careering along with wings!
- Publisher's editor
- Pearce, Roy Harvey
- Disambiguation notice
- This is an omnibus unique to the Library of America; therefore, all CK facts apply to this publication only.
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 818
- Popularity
- 33,634
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (4.24)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 5
