Fanshawe [Hardcover]

Nathaniel Hawthorne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2003

In an ancient though not very populous settlement, in a retired corner of one of the New England States, arise the walls of a seminary of learning, which, for the convenience of a name, shall be entitled "Harley College." This institution, though the number of its years is inconsiderable compared with the hoar antiquity of its European sisters, is not without some claims to reverence on the score of age; for an almost countless multitude of rivals, by many of which its reputation has been eclipsed, have sprung up since its foundation. At no time, indeed, during an existence of nearly a century, has it acquired a very extensive fame; and circumstances, which need not be particularized, have, of late years, involved it in a deeper obscurity. There are now few candidates for the degrees that the college is authorized to bestow. On two of its annual "Commencement Days," there has been a total deficiency of baccalaureates; and the lawyers and divines, on whom doctorates in their respective professions are gratuitously inflicted, are not accustomed to consider the distinction as an honor. Yet the sons of this seminary have always maintained their full share of reputation, in whatever paths of life they trod. Few of them, perhaps, have been deep and finished scholars; but the college has supplied -- what the emergencies of the country demanded -- a set of men more useful in its present state, and whose deficiency in theoretical knowledge has not been found to imply a want of practical ability.

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About the Author

American novelist and short story writer, Nathaniel Hawthrone was an important figure of the American Renaissance. Hawthorne is famous for his short stories that he reagraded as tales. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 152 pages
• Publisher: Wildside Press (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592245358
• ISBN-13: 978-1592245352
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,956,404 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Crucial Study, April 8, 2000

By 

Sean Ares Hirsch - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fanshawe (Short story index reprint series) (Hardcover)

Most people know Hawthorne's 2nd novel "The Scarlet Letter" (1850). The only reason I was exposed to his first novel "Fanshawe" (1828) was that I majored in English. I think when we are only exposed to their selected best works, we fail to remember that even the BEST writers like Marlowe and Shakespeare were human. And as humans, NOT EVERY SINGLE THING they write can be a masterpiece. So why read "Fanshawe?" Well, this first novel shows us the greatness to come. We are presented with memorable and chilling images. Ellen is memorable as the typical damsel in distress. Fanshawe and Edward Walcott are captivating as the rivals for Ellen's love who put their differences aside to save her. The Angler is captivating as a villain who offers some interesting passages and is not quite a monster. And Hawthorne manages to speed things up with a wild chase and bitter confrontation. To be sure, this does not represent Hawthorne's best efforts, but do we really know an author if we only read his best works? This novel helps us see the greatness that was to come.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Pristine Wilderness As Gothic Cathedral, February 27, 2008

By 

Notnadia (Currently upstairs.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fanshawe (Paperback)

Nathaniel Hawthorne supposedly felt such shame at this novella, written while he was a relatively young person, that he refused to acknowledge it in his lifetime, and even burned every copy of it that he could get his hands on. Bad move! The truth is Fanshawe is well worth reading. It is exciting, boldly told, and it has a sweetness to it that isn't there in Hawthorne's later writings, however masterful they might be. Also the story Fanshawe tells is one that clearly arises from the lingering influence the Romantics had on young Hawthorne. Even the book's namesake and protagonist is a sort of fondly imagined stand-in for the bookish Hawthorne of his so recent school days. The setting for this straightforward Gothic adventure of kidnapping and rescue is the yet untamed American wilderness of the 1740's, which Hawthorne winsomely describes as a sort of vast, green, brooding cathedral of stone, water, sky, soil, air, and forest, filled with towering rocky hills and echoing mossy caves, free-flowing streams, and ancient trees. The countryside of his prose is a thing of stirring beauty, and his characters truly achieve a dimension few other writers would manage in a tale so brief. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the experience of reading Fanshawe, and was also surprised at how nicely it stays in my memory. Hawthorne's orphaned work is also one of his best, and I think it deserves five stars.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Modest Beginnings, August 20, 2007

By 

S. (MIAMI, FL, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fanshawe (Paperback)

I am a great fan of classic literature, but I can't say I enjoyed Hawthorne's "Fanshawe" too much. Though the reader can see the great writer at work, it seems that Hawthorne was experimenting with styles and character development. The storyline is good, characters developed to a decent extent, and there are the essential components of all of Hawthorne's later great works. Ellen, a lovable character is under care of her father's friend, a charming old doctor, who is himself childless. Two men vie for Ellen's attention, and their affections will soon be put to the test when a villain enters the scene, threatening Ellen's peaceful existence.

Though short and not one of Hawthorne's best works, "Fanshaw" nonetheless is a good story and a good beginning from a man who became one of the great literary masters.