Customer Reviews

Nathaniel Hawthorne : Collected Novels: Fanshawe, The Scarlet Letter, The House of the Seven Gables, The Blithedale Romance, The Marble Faun (Library of America)

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Please, whatever you do, don't categorize Hawthorne's (or any writer's) work as a long-winded relic from some gradeschool lit class. True, we English teachers are about the only folks left trying to keep this literature alive, but we do it because it's so worth preserving. I'll admit we do a disservice to Hawthorne by "forcing" young people to read it. Often a lack of maturity in the reader only translates to resentment for the writer, which in Hawthorne's case is a real shame. So you were "bored" by The Scarlet Letter when you were 15 years old... What a surprise... Has anything about you changed since then? Have you matured? Is there any possibility that you are more prepared today, as a thirty year old, to read, understand and appreciate Hawthorne's stories (and his brilliant style) than you were fifteen years ago? Give yourself some credit and give these great writers another try. You may be surprised at how deeply Hawthorne's insights into human nature cut after experiencing more of life yourself.

Unlike other reviews, this is not a review of just "The Scarlet Letter," but the entire Library of America volume. Here are all five of Hawthorne's completed novels in one volume, and they are true treasures of American literature. "Fanshawe" is an early experiment and a simple story that is more interesting as a part of Hawthorne's development as a writer than a great work in itself. Next is the famous "Scarlet Letter." It is a great work and gives much enjoyment when read slowly and with a receptive spirit. After is the delightfully gothic "The House of the Seven Gables," which is another great work and an exploration of the soul of man. "The Blithedale Romance" is less successful than the two preceding, but is still an enjoyable read, regardless of the fact that it leaves the reader wanting more at the end. It addresses the issue of a Utopia on earth, and has interesting characters. Lastly, "The Marble Faun" is a romance involving Americans in Italy, and explores the nature of evil and its effects on the human heart. In my opinion, it is Hawthorne's greatest and most successful work, and the one place where he fully realizes his potential. It is not as repetitive as "The Scarlet Letter," and has more depth than "Gables."
As for the physical book: simply put, the Library of America edition is wonderful; easy to hold, easy to read, and attractive to look at--a near perfect edition. My only complaint is that the notes in the back could be more thorough, but, then again, this is a reading edition, and not a scholarly edition. Perfect for sitting at home in a comfortable chair and relaxing to a good read.
And a final comment about Hawthorne's style--he wrote in the nineteenth century, when more emphasis was placed on sonorous language and the enjoyability of reading. He was not a self-absorbed modernist, or a smut entertainer. His books are meant to be read slowly and attentively. Often Hawthorne explores the same idea from numerous angles, always trying to bring the reader closer to his (Hawthorne's) own understanding. When an author does this, it is because he wants us to pay attention. Many times I have re-read a paragraph or line just to enjoy the flow of the words and his rich descriptive style. Also, his works have great psychological depth and an uncompromising moral vision that will be revealed to the receptive reader.
Buy this book, sit back, read, and enjoy the art of a master. Then, when you finish, pick up the companion Library of America volume of his short works!

I strongly agree with Richard's comments. Hawthorne should be read again and again throughout one's life. Even the great master of the novel, Henry James, found himself coming back time and again to Hawthorne as a touchstone of his creative imagination. We are fortunate to have dedicated teachers lead us through Hawthorne's work while we are teenagers, as adults we can read his work and appreciate it as a great work of art. Those who prefer to run through literature at a rapid pace would be better off staying with Marvel Comics. Library of America has provided a great service by publishing the Centenary Edition of Hawthorne in this beautiful edition. We are the better for it who can meditate deeply on the art and imagination of Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Nathaniel Hawthorne's prose is timeless and he remains the best. His use of the English language provides a treat on every page. Yes, it is slow going and lacks rapid fire action. Not a bad thing in this day and age. If you are looking for a real hero do not neglect Fanshaw.

The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, will intreset readers who like romance and drama. In this novel, not only does romance and drama appear, but questions of morals of the characters. Also, the novel discusses the consequences that the characters must go through for their bad choices and mistakes.
Pearl, the child of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale, was born in jail, when her mother was sentenced for commiting adultury against her husband Roger Chillingworth. Due to her crime, Hester was sentenced to wearing a red scarlet letter A on her chest, and Raising an evil daughter, that refuses to follow the laws.
Pearl as well as the red scarlet letter A is a symbol of wrong doing. Pearl could be described as the scarlet letter in human form. She is a very important character in this novel, she is the person that allows the story to continue. Pearl goes through her life, everyone looking down on her for her parents' crime. The very crime that pushes her father overboard.
Arthur Dimmesdale kept the secret that he was Pearl's father. He didn't want people to know of his sin because he was supposed to be a holy man. The fact that he didn't tell the truth to people, ate him up inside. Finally Dimmesdale admitted to his sin, and thgen died. His part of the story was very real, because if someone keeps a secret for so long they can just burst.
All the events that take place in the novel relate in some manner. Which ends up linking all of the characters together. Hawthorne does a good job of making his characters feel the pain of their mistakes. Each character is trying to overcome their past. Some due to sin, others due to jealousy, and to hatred.
As a result of his jealousy against Dimmesdale, Chillingworth, Hester's ex-husband, ends up having a miserable, torturous life. Chillingworth hates the thought that his wife could have had an affair with Dimmesdale. Then when Arthur Dimmesdale dies, Chillingworth's life also ends, because he cannot destroy his enemy's life anymore.
In addition to Chillingworth's jealousy and hatred for Dimmesdale, there is also Pearl's hatred for her parents. Pearl hates being blamed for her parents' crime, which leads to her hating them. People looked at Pearl the same way they looked at the scarlet letter, a reminder of adultury and sin against the Puritain faith. Hawthorne was able to link all his characters together with all the events that were taking place in the story.
This novel can affect the reader's emotions and fellings. One minute leaving the reader feel bad for one of the characters, and the next hating them, because of something they did. If a reader finds suspense, romance, and emotional ups and downs interesting they should read this book. However, it might not be recommended for younger readers because, it can be a little hard to follow at sometimes, but overall it is a good book.

I love all of Hawthorne's books but this one was his all time best

I am going against the grain here but can anyone explain how this story can take so long to tell. Trying to enjoy the majority of American authors, Hawthornes works have not be an easy go. Though admittedly not a fan of Hawthornes full length works, his short stores can be enjoyable. But a book that begins with 28 pages of 'The Custom House', before the story even begins, is already very dull. I, like many other people, was forced to read this work for a sophomore literature class. That was 31 years ago and I still remember thinking what a moderately entertaining short story this would have made. In its form, its unbearable.