Customer Reviews

Fanshawe

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

None of these texts, having been written by Hawthorne in the last three years of his life, were ever completed. Nonetheless, they provide a view of the author not often recognized in reading his other works. Key issues in these texts are scientific research, the progression of life to death, and succession after death, either through legacy or inheritance. Unfortunately, the author was never able to polish this dicussion in one distinct title, and thus we are left with four drafts to ponder. (Only three are included in this volume; the fourth, which I would also recommend, is Dr. Grimshawe's Secret.) There is no loss in this, for Hawthorne's difficulty in writing these works is a testament to their complexity, and each provides separate details wich lead to the reader's complete understanding of the author's inetentions. As romances, Septimius Felton, and Dr. Grimshawe's Secret stand apart as complete and entertaining texts, most intriguing for the scientific research ethic that Hawthornes implies. Until these works were published, similar issues could only be found -- less completely developed -- in the author's short stories (such as "The Birth-Mark," "Rappaccini's Daughter," and "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment"). Enjoy.

For Hawthorne folks, it's fun, as he stumbles about with all kinds of gothic folderol. He ordered the novel burned after having published it himself in 1828, but there are keys to his greater works: the pale deathly bachelor, the ruddy passionate fellow, the pale but feisty maiden, the dark woods around Bowdoin College in Maine (where the novel takes place), the flights and escapes and possibilities of rape. Great, it ain't, but it's fun and foreshadows Hawthorne's career in fiction.

3 1/2 stars would probably be more accurate. I know that even Hawthorne himself didn't much care for this novel of his. But in my opinion, he sold himself short. To be sure, it's not exactly "The Scarlet Letter" or "House of the 7 Gables." Nevertheless, it does show the brewing genius of Hawthorne.

The story revolves around some fairly well developed characters. Dr. Melmouth is the guardian of Langton's daughter Ellen. We later learn that the at least moderately benevolent Melmouth has an interesting flaw. he devoted his life to study, but he is somewhat naive in the ways of the world. (He has lead too sheltered of a life.)

We also meet the rivals for Ellen (Fanshawe and Edward). they are interestingly different. Fanshawe is more benevolent. Edward seems more interested in proving himself a hero.

Fanshawe has an interesting conversation with the Angler, and we get the impression that Fanshawe does not like him. the questionable friendship between the Angler and Hue Crombie is drawn well. The Angler wants to run off with Ellen. (partially for her inheritance) and Hue Crombie does not like this. But the Angler is able to convince him to cooperate.

Well, Ellen is abducted by the Angler. Though Hawthorne does reminds us that the Angler is a human being. he had a sad childhood, and he came into the service of Ellen's father. He served Ellen's father the best he could, but Langton: "...shut the door of repentance against his erring protoge, and left him in a situation not less desperate than that from which he relieved him."

Well, fanshawe and Edward put aside their differences to save Ellen. though Fanshawe is the more altruistic one. In fact, Edward seems to resent help: "It was his wish to persue the chase on his own responsibility." Edward accepts the help of Ellen's father, but he is not overly happy about it.

Well, Ellen eventually starts to have 2nd thought about what she at least partially consented to and she tries to escape. it is in fact the under appreciated Fanshawe who comes to Ellen's rescue.

Here it is prevalent that Hawthonre himself detests the cliche romantic formula of having the 'typical Prince Charming' rescue the damsel in distress and living happily ever after: "The maiden must have been far blind than woman ever was...if the late events had not convinced herof Fanshawe's devoted attachment; and she saw Edward Walcott feeling superior..." Poor Fanshawe wishes Ellen well, and leaves her free to marry Edward.

Even though Hawthorne did not really like this book of his, it is really great. he gives us memorable characters, a 3d villain, and she shows his fierce style of attacking the typical romance formula.

Don't be so hard on yourself Mr. Hawthorne!