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Hawthorne's Short Stories
Twenty-four of the best short stories by one of the early masters of the form, in the definitive collection edited by acclaimed scholar Newton Arvin.
Nathaniel Hawthorne was one of the greatest American writers of the nineteenth century, and some of his most powerful work was in the form of fable-like tales that make rich use of allegory and symbolism. The dark beauty and moral force of his imagination are evident in such enduring masterpieces as "Young Goodman Brown," in which a young man who believes he has witnessed a satanic initiation can never see his pious neighbors the same way again; “Rappaccini's Daughter," about a lovely young girl who has been raised in isolation among dangerous poisons; and "The Birthmark," in which a scientist obsessed with perfection destroys the flaw that makes his otherwise flawless wife both beautiful and human.
Nathaniel Hawthorne was one of the greatest American writers of the nineteenth century, and some of his most powerful work was in the form of fable-like tales that make rich use of allegory and symbolism. The dark beauty and moral force of his imagination are evident in such enduring masterpieces as "Young Goodman Brown," in which a young man who believes he has witnessed a satanic initiation can never see his pious neighbors the same way again; “Rappaccini's Daughter," about a lovely young girl who has been raised in isolation among dangerous poisons; and "The Birthmark," in which a scientist obsessed with perfection destroys the flaw that makes his otherwise flawless wife both beautiful and human.
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1946
102 people are currently reading
2049 people want to read
About the author
Nathaniel Hawthorne
5,486 books3,611 followersNathaniel Hawthorne was a 19th century American novelist and short story writer. He is seen as a key figure in the development of American literature for his tales of the nation's colonial history.
Shortly after graduating from Bowdoin College, Hathorne changed his name to Hawthorne. Hawthorne anonymously published his first work, a novel titled Fanshawe, in 1828. In 1837, he published Twice-Told Tales and became engaged to painter and illustrator Sophia Peabody the next year. He worked at a Custom House and joined a Transcendentalist Utopian community, before marrying Peabody in 1842. The couple moved to The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts, later moving to Salem, the Berkshires, then to The Wayside in Concord. The Scarlet Letter was published in 1850, followed by a succession of other novels. A political appointment took Hawthorne and family to Europe before returning to The Wayside in 1860. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, leaving behind his wife and their three children.
Much of Hawthorne's writing centers around New England and many feature moral allegories with a Puritan inspiration. His work is considered part of the Romantic movement and includes novels, short stories, and a biography of his friend, the United States President Franklin Pierce.
Shortly after graduating from Bowdoin College, Hathorne changed his name to Hawthorne. Hawthorne anonymously published his first work, a novel titled Fanshawe, in 1828. In 1837, he published Twice-Told Tales and became engaged to painter and illustrator Sophia Peabody the next year. He worked at a Custom House and joined a Transcendentalist Utopian community, before marrying Peabody in 1842. The couple moved to The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts, later moving to Salem, the Berkshires, then to The Wayside in Concord. The Scarlet Letter was published in 1850, followed by a succession of other novels. A political appointment took Hawthorne and family to Europe before returning to The Wayside in 1860. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, leaving behind his wife and their three children.
Much of Hawthorne's writing centers around New England and many feature moral allegories with a Puritan inspiration. His work is considered part of the Romantic movement and includes novels, short stories, and a biography of his friend, the United States President Franklin Pierce.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
April 12, 2008
i'm not actually sure i've read all the stories in here, but i had to put something up to stand for how much i love hawthorne's short fiction. i read the stories mostly one at a time, during a class on american lit in college. i thought i hated american lit, and i was mostly right, but boy was i wrong about hawthorne. :)
October 22, 2024
I really enjoyed this collection! Hawthorne’s stories tend to have a more supernatural or gothic feel to them, and I love the uncertainty in some of his stories as well as the ideas he discusses in many of them. Here are my ratings for each story:
The Gray Champion – 5 stars
The Minister’s Black Veil – 5 stars
The May-Pole of Merry Mount – 3 stars
The Gentle Boy – 5 stars
Wakefield – 4 stars
The Great Carbuncle – 4 stars
The Prophetic Pictures – 3 stars
Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment – 5 stars
Lady Eleanor’s Mantle – 3 stars
Old Esther Dudley – 5 stars
The Ambitious Guest – 3 stars
The White Old Maid – 4 stars
Peter Goldthwaite’s Treasure – 3 stars
Endicott and the Red Cross – 3 stars
The Birthmark – 5 stars
Rappaccini’s Daughter – 5 stars
The Celestial Railroad – 5 stars
Feathertop: A Moralized Legend – 4 stars
Egotism; or The Bosom Serpent – 4 stars
The Christmas Banquet – 3 stars
Drowne’s Wooden Image – 3 stars
Earth’s Holocaust – 5 stars
The Artist of the Beautiful – 4 stars
The Great Stone Face – 4 stars
Ethan Brand – 4 stars
The Wives of the Dead – 5 stars
The Antique Ring – 4 stars
Alice Doane’s Appeal – 3 stars
Content:
(Please keep in mind that I read these stories over almost 2 years, so a lot of the content I'm unsure about. This is the best I can recall.)
• Language – possibly a few d words
• Drugs and Alcohol – some mentions of drinking or someone being drunk
• Sexual Content – none that I recall
• Violence – some people killed in a landslide, a man throws himself into a fire, two women are found dead, etc.
• Themes – witchcraft, supernatural, legends and myths
The Gray Champion – 5 stars
The Minister’s Black Veil – 5 stars
The May-Pole of Merry Mount – 3 stars
The Gentle Boy – 5 stars
Wakefield – 4 stars
The Great Carbuncle – 4 stars
The Prophetic Pictures – 3 stars
Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment – 5 stars
Lady Eleanor’s Mantle – 3 stars
Old Esther Dudley – 5 stars
The Ambitious Guest – 3 stars
The White Old Maid – 4 stars
Peter Goldthwaite’s Treasure – 3 stars
Endicott and the Red Cross – 3 stars
The Birthmark – 5 stars
Rappaccini’s Daughter – 5 stars
The Celestial Railroad – 5 stars
Feathertop: A Moralized Legend – 4 stars
Egotism; or The Bosom Serpent – 4 stars
The Christmas Banquet – 3 stars
Drowne’s Wooden Image – 3 stars
Earth’s Holocaust – 5 stars
The Artist of the Beautiful – 4 stars
The Great Stone Face – 4 stars
Ethan Brand – 4 stars
The Wives of the Dead – 5 stars
The Antique Ring – 4 stars
Alice Doane’s Appeal – 3 stars
Content:
(Please keep in mind that I read these stories over almost 2 years, so a lot of the content I'm unsure about. This is the best I can recall.)
• Language – possibly a few d words
• Drugs and Alcohol – some mentions of drinking or someone being drunk
• Sexual Content – none that I recall
• Violence – some people killed in a landslide, a man throws himself into a fire, two women are found dead, etc.
• Themes – witchcraft, supernatural, legends and myths
January 19, 2019
Hawthorne is clearly an extremely talented storyteller, with very solid writing and engaging dialogue. His prose is lush and evocative, taking readers into a world containing dark, mystical and supernatural elements. I'm seriously in awe at how imaginative he is!
My favourite story was "The Minister's Black Veil", a really insightful piece on the emphasis placed on appearances. In the tale, it is precisely those who have the most awareness and humility to admit to their darkness that are shunned and isolated - perhaps because all humans truly are afraid of themselves and feel the guilt for their own sins. At least, that's how I interpreted it!
On the downside, I became a little bored-slash-saturated with the stories after a while. While the first two sections of the book were good, by the third section, it felt repetitive. However it is an anthology of short stories, so reading it all at once may be rather tiring. Instead, maybe come back to read a little at a time, and it'd be more enjoyable! :-)
🌹 date finished: 3 jan 2019 🌹
My favourite story was "The Minister's Black Veil", a really insightful piece on the emphasis placed on appearances. In the tale, it is precisely those who have the most awareness and humility to admit to their darkness that are shunned and isolated - perhaps because all humans truly are afraid of themselves and feel the guilt for their own sins. At least, that's how I interpreted it!
On the downside, I became a little bored-slash-saturated with the stories after a while. While the first two sections of the book were good, by the third section, it felt repetitive. However it is an anthology of short stories, so reading it all at once may be rather tiring. Instead, maybe come back to read a little at a time, and it'd be more enjoyable! :-)
🌹 date finished: 3 jan 2019 🌹
January 21, 2010
Hawthorne's short stories are imaginative. This book definitely inspired me to start writing the short stories that I've had in mind for years already. I skipped only about 3 stories out of 24. If I skipped it, it's because I really couldn't keep reading it due to extreme boredom. However, most of them are extremely compelling in that allegorical way. My favorite stories are The Ministers Black Veil, The Birthmark, Egotism; or, the Bosom Serpent, The Artist of the Beautiful, The Great Stone Face, and The Wives of the Dead is allusive and mysterious. His writing has a scholarly touch, yet simple to understand with a touch of symbolic Puritan values. I am definitely reading this again.
August 25, 2015
Short stories are truly a lost art. Here is one of my favourite short story collections (the other: "Burning Chrome" by William Gibson, also the Oscar Wilde short stories). My picks...not the dreary puritan stuff but Hawthorne's "the Artist of the Beautiful" A masterpiece! Rappaccini's daughter. Wow. Wonder if this influenced the Grateful Dead's "Rosemary". The Birthmark. Still holds true in today's world of nip and tuck. The Minister's Black Veil...also intriguing. The mystery of it all. The hidden sins. Great stuff. A pleasure to read.
January 25, 2009
I love Hawthorne's short stories, particularly from the perspective of a sci-fi geek. Many of his short stories reach into the realm of proto-sci-fi, complete with strange creatures living inside people and mad scientists.
March 6, 2020
I will also do a video review here at my channel: http://www.youtube.com/magicofbooks
This is a compilation that collects all of Nathaniel Hawthorne's short stories.
When I was in college I read several of Nathaniel Hawthorne's short stories. And each one that I read, I really enjoyed. For a number of years now, I've been looking for a collection like this, so sure enough, I came across this edition. Judging from what Goodreads says, this collection was originally put together in 1946, and then republished again in 2011. There is an introduction by Newton Arvin, which sadly, I think was very boring, and read like a textbook, and I think is the original introduction to the 1946 edition. I think what this collection needs is a new revamped introduction for a modern audience. Arvin's introduction, though well informed, was just so boring and very by the numbers. It read as very scholarly. I would have loved to have seen some passion and some modern thinking to Hawthorne's tales. As you read Hawthorne, his stories read as parables and allegories. He has a lot of rich meaning that's under the text. A tale may seem straight forward, but there's more to it than meets the eye. I think an introduction by a modern reader would provide for some fascinating commentary.
So all of that being said, I did like this collection in general. I am a tad bit disappointed with myself because I was hoping I would end up enjoying all of the stories. But a good many of them I did find boring and sometimes I didn't really entirely understand what was going on. Like I mentioned, I did read several of his stories in college. Those being " The Minister's Black Veil," "The Birthmark," "Young Goodman Brown," and "Rappaccini's Daughter." I remember falling in love with those stories, especially "The Birthmark" which is one of my favorite short stories. As far as new-to-me stories, I enjoyed " Dr. Heidegger's Experiment," "The Ambitious Guest," and "Feathertop." Everything else in this collection did not particularly interest me unfortunately. Hawthorne is a fantastic writer. He has a way with words that drags you in, and he knows how to tell a compelling story. But he does lean heavily into allegory and parable which can often read as heavy and confusing, or perhaps even drawn out.
If you've read Hawthorne in the past, and you liked him, you might want to try this out. Some stories may be hit or miss with you. I did find myself desperately wanting to re-read "The Scarlet Letter," which is perhaps the best thing he's ever written. I wish I would have loved more of this than I did, but I appreciate that I got the chance to read all his short stories and form a better opinion of him as a writer.
This is a compilation that collects all of Nathaniel Hawthorne's short stories.
When I was in college I read several of Nathaniel Hawthorne's short stories. And each one that I read, I really enjoyed. For a number of years now, I've been looking for a collection like this, so sure enough, I came across this edition. Judging from what Goodreads says, this collection was originally put together in 1946, and then republished again in 2011. There is an introduction by Newton Arvin, which sadly, I think was very boring, and read like a textbook, and I think is the original introduction to the 1946 edition. I think what this collection needs is a new revamped introduction for a modern audience. Arvin's introduction, though well informed, was just so boring and very by the numbers. It read as very scholarly. I would have loved to have seen some passion and some modern thinking to Hawthorne's tales. As you read Hawthorne, his stories read as parables and allegories. He has a lot of rich meaning that's under the text. A tale may seem straight forward, but there's more to it than meets the eye. I think an introduction by a modern reader would provide for some fascinating commentary.
So all of that being said, I did like this collection in general. I am a tad bit disappointed with myself because I was hoping I would end up enjoying all of the stories. But a good many of them I did find boring and sometimes I didn't really entirely understand what was going on. Like I mentioned, I did read several of his stories in college. Those being " The Minister's Black Veil," "The Birthmark," "Young Goodman Brown," and "Rappaccini's Daughter." I remember falling in love with those stories, especially "The Birthmark" which is one of my favorite short stories. As far as new-to-me stories, I enjoyed " Dr. Heidegger's Experiment," "The Ambitious Guest," and "Feathertop." Everything else in this collection did not particularly interest me unfortunately. Hawthorne is a fantastic writer. He has a way with words that drags you in, and he knows how to tell a compelling story. But he does lean heavily into allegory and parable which can often read as heavy and confusing, or perhaps even drawn out.
If you've read Hawthorne in the past, and you liked him, you might want to try this out. Some stories may be hit or miss with you. I did find myself desperately wanting to re-read "The Scarlet Letter," which is perhaps the best thing he's ever written. I wish I would have loved more of this than I did, but I appreciate that I got the chance to read all his short stories and form a better opinion of him as a writer.
February 17, 2023
Dur mais à la fin ça va quand même mdr
October 21, 2019
I've been reading in this off and on for 25 years, and I finally finished it. The older I get, the more I enjoy his stories. "The Great Stone Face" has been a favorite story of mine ever since it was read to me decades ago.
June 2, 2021
A good, if uneven, collection of Hawthorne's short stories. My particular favourites were Rappacini's Daughter, The Birthmark, and Lady Eleanor's Mantle. Young Goodman Brown was a very skillful short story execution as well, however.
I was not aware before reading this collection that Hawthorne was such a moralist in style. I had previously only read The Birthmark for class, and had sought out Rappacini's Daughter on my own time once I realized that one of my signature scents from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab was from a collection inspired by it.
My favourite tales of Hawthorne's in this collection are the ones where he wasn't too tempted to summarize the tales he just related to the reader. I realize this is the style of fables, but man was it ever tedious! I often felt like the author was breaking the fourth wall and walking out of the woodwork to talk down to the audience as if they wouldn't be able to grasp what the tales told meant.
I'm happy I read this collection, despite the above. Some of Hawthorne's Christian moralizing, and his colonial views were frustrating (although of their time) to deal with. But I have a soft spot for Hawthorne's more Gothic sensibilities. The Birthmark also helped me ace a final exam in undergrad once during my very stressful first semester, so I strangely feel indebted to him for sparking my critical thinking skills and excited curiosity once more.
I was not aware before reading this collection that Hawthorne was such a moralist in style. I had previously only read The Birthmark for class, and had sought out Rappacini's Daughter on my own time once I realized that one of my signature scents from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab was from a collection inspired by it.
My favourite tales of Hawthorne's in this collection are the ones where he wasn't too tempted to summarize the tales he just related to the reader. I realize this is the style of fables, but man was it ever tedious! I often felt like the author was breaking the fourth wall and walking out of the woodwork to talk down to the audience as if they wouldn't be able to grasp what the tales told meant.
I'm happy I read this collection, despite the above. Some of Hawthorne's Christian moralizing, and his colonial views were frustrating (although of their time) to deal with. But I have a soft spot for Hawthorne's more Gothic sensibilities. The Birthmark also helped me ace a final exam in undergrad once during my very stressful first semester, so I strangely feel indebted to him for sparking my critical thinking skills and excited curiosity once more.
March 27, 2013
Wonderful book of short stories by one of our greatest writers. Takes a bit of getting used to, they were written mid-1800s, but are more than worth it. Some eerie, some fairly light, but all intensely evocative.
August 5, 2007
I was shocked at how much I loved many of the Nathaniel Hawthorne's short stories included in this book. I was especially moved by "Wakefield" and "The Great Stone Face."
November 14, 2007
have not read all of these. my favorite is "Wakefield"
May 24, 2008
Classic writter-insiteful-really gets under the skin of his characters. I have read this book before but return to it as the stories are multi-layered and lush.
April 24, 2012
Beautiful, lush, dark, and romantic. These stories are nothing short of wonderful.
September 24, 2017
I'm a fan of short stories and these short stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne are some of the best.
January 10, 2021
First things first. If you're just looking for a volume of Nathaniel Hawthorne's short stories to put on your shelf, this one is pretty good. If you don't care about owning the thing, just search the best of these short stories online and read them. I say this because as a whole, the volume isn't the best, which is a shame, because Hawthorne has written some of the best short stories in the world and that's no exaggeration. Fortunately, those great short stories are included here.
1. "The Minister's Black Veil." Minister of a small community one day drapes a black veil, tucked underneath his Puritan hat, over his face, won't tell people why except that it's for grave sin, and freaks people out. Truly one of the best American short stories you'd do well to read.
2. "The May-Pole of Merry Mount." Ever get confused as to what the difference is between Puritans and Pilgrims? To simplify, the Pilgrims are those who came to America to try to have a good time and the Puritans are those who came to impose a theocracy. This difference is dramatized in this story with heavy sympathies for the Pilgrims, although with Hawthorne, nobody ever gets off the hook.
3. "Wakefield." Oh my goodness. This could have been written any time, any place, but it's all the more exciting that Hawthorne wrote it as a New England Puritan tale. A guy named Wakefield gets a wild hair one day, asks himself what would happen if he walked out on his wife one day, walked out on all his duties? He does just that and tries to take a God's eye view on the wife and life he has abandoned. It's a very strange story and reinforces the idea that Hawthorne comes to time and time again, which is that (like Aristotle believed as well) any person who could live apart from society would have to be either a god or a beast.
4. "The Great Carbuncle." Call this a philosopher's stone story. Several pilgrims in America have gathered at this one place where the reputed "great carbuncle" is supposed to be, a magical stone that possesses magical powers. The different pilgrims ascribe different properties to the stone. The most touching interpretation as to what the stone can provide comes from this one couple, the pair of whom think the stone will illuminate their house eternally. They'll never need candlelight again. The most skeptical interpretation of the stone comes from this old man who claims that there is no such stone, and he says he is here on site to falsify the claim that the stone is here. Things become interesting in the story when both the couple and the skeptic come upon the side of the mountain where the stone is presumed to be.
5. "The Birthmark." A mad scientist has a beautiful wife who hands one flaw. On her cheek is a red birthmark, shaped like a little hand. He wants to use his science to remove the birthmark. How do you think this one will turn out?
6. "Young Goodman Brown." The best American short story? Goodman Brown, a pious man, sets out for a secret meeting in the woods and has his entire worldview cracked to pieces. This story is worth the price of admission, I think.
Honestly, the other stories in this collection are only all right. At least thank goodness that you have these terrific stories from Hawthorne. And like I said, if you want a volume of Hawthorne's stories, get this, and read these stories, and if you don't care about owning the book, at least read these stories. Pretty please.
1. "The Minister's Black Veil." Minister of a small community one day drapes a black veil, tucked underneath his Puritan hat, over his face, won't tell people why except that it's for grave sin, and freaks people out. Truly one of the best American short stories you'd do well to read.
2. "The May-Pole of Merry Mount." Ever get confused as to what the difference is between Puritans and Pilgrims? To simplify, the Pilgrims are those who came to America to try to have a good time and the Puritans are those who came to impose a theocracy. This difference is dramatized in this story with heavy sympathies for the Pilgrims, although with Hawthorne, nobody ever gets off the hook.
3. "Wakefield." Oh my goodness. This could have been written any time, any place, but it's all the more exciting that Hawthorne wrote it as a New England Puritan tale. A guy named Wakefield gets a wild hair one day, asks himself what would happen if he walked out on his wife one day, walked out on all his duties? He does just that and tries to take a God's eye view on the wife and life he has abandoned. It's a very strange story and reinforces the idea that Hawthorne comes to time and time again, which is that (like Aristotle believed as well) any person who could live apart from society would have to be either a god or a beast.
4. "The Great Carbuncle." Call this a philosopher's stone story. Several pilgrims in America have gathered at this one place where the reputed "great carbuncle" is supposed to be, a magical stone that possesses magical powers. The different pilgrims ascribe different properties to the stone. The most touching interpretation as to what the stone can provide comes from this one couple, the pair of whom think the stone will illuminate their house eternally. They'll never need candlelight again. The most skeptical interpretation of the stone comes from this old man who claims that there is no such stone, and he says he is here on site to falsify the claim that the stone is here. Things become interesting in the story when both the couple and the skeptic come upon the side of the mountain where the stone is presumed to be.
5. "The Birthmark." A mad scientist has a beautiful wife who hands one flaw. On her cheek is a red birthmark, shaped like a little hand. He wants to use his science to remove the birthmark. How do you think this one will turn out?
6. "Young Goodman Brown." The best American short story? Goodman Brown, a pious man, sets out for a secret meeting in the woods and has his entire worldview cracked to pieces. This story is worth the price of admission, I think.
Honestly, the other stories in this collection are only all right. At least thank goodness that you have these terrific stories from Hawthorne. And like I said, if you want a volume of Hawthorne's stories, get this, and read these stories, and if you don't care about owning the book, at least read these stories. Pretty please.
Read
October 8, 2023The Gray Champion - political
The Minister's Black Veil - righteousness
The May-Pole of Merry Mount - NH despised Endicott
The Gentle Boy - NH despised all Puritans
Wakefield - a man spends 20 years in the next street, leaving his wife to assume widowhood... how is she provided for is my question? NH's question is, how foolish can a man be? And is Mr. Wakefield odd, or could 'most anyone do what he did?
The Great Carbuncle - romance of a legend
The Prophetic Pictures - inspiration for The Picture of Dorian Gray, no doubt
Dr. Heidegger's Experiment - could have been 'be careful what you wish for' but fell flat, imo
Lady Eleanore's Mantle - a moral lesson?
Old Esther Dudley - NH admires this staunch Loyalist, whilst of course looking to the future.
The Ambitious Guest - given the title, it seems that there's something extra going on. I see only that the message is 'seize the day,' as in, if they'd gone on the adventure the child wished for, they'd be better off.
The White Old Maid - horror
Peter Goldthwaite's Treasure - irony
Endicott and the Red Cross - historical
The Birthmark - hard to read because the 'science' is so bad
Young Goodman Brown - ? All of us are complicit w/ Satan?
Rappaccini's Daughter - definitely could be adapted for modern readers of fantasy.
The Celestial Railroad - an update of Pilgrim's Progress, still very relevant. Includes "The Giant Transcendentalist,"
Feathertop - a golem who is more than/ a better man.
Egotism; or, The Bosom Serpent - um, sure, whatever.
The Christmas Banquet - skipped the bulk of it cuz Nat was getting 'purple' but the gist is, I think, that any feeling is 1. one's own, no matter one's circumstances and 2. better than no feeling at all.
Drowne's Wooden Image - an oaken figurehead foretells what we now label The Uncanny Valley, "Then came a sensation of fear; as if, not being actually human, yet so like humanity, hse must therefore be something preternatural."
Earth's Holocaust - a classic I've enjoyed in other anthologies
The Artist of the Beautiful - clearly a fable and commentary on obsession... but to what point, exactly?
The Great Stone Face - a sentimental favorite
Ethan Brand - a too obvious moral tale
The Wives of the Dead - I'm not sure I 'get' this.
The Antique Ring - a conceit, and, yes, sentimental
Alice Doane's Appeal - even after reading other's reviews, I'm not sure I decoded this sufficiently, but I do know I don't care for it.
And now I'm done. I hope to not encounter double negatives so often ever again. ("... who was not unstudied" followed a scant page later by "not improbably" gets old.)
But there are some good lines. "Like all other men around whom an engrossing purpose wreaths itself, he was insulated from the mass of human kind." (Context reveals that this is a bad thing.)
The Minister's Black Veil - righteousness
The May-Pole of Merry Mount - NH despised Endicott
The Gentle Boy - NH despised all Puritans
Wakefield - a man spends 20 years in the next street, leaving his wife to assume widowhood... how is she provided for is my question? NH's question is, how foolish can a man be? And is Mr. Wakefield odd, or could 'most anyone do what he did?
The Great Carbuncle - romance of a legend
The Prophetic Pictures - inspiration for The Picture of Dorian Gray, no doubt
Dr. Heidegger's Experiment - could have been 'be careful what you wish for' but fell flat, imo
Lady Eleanore's Mantle - a moral lesson?
Old Esther Dudley - NH admires this staunch Loyalist, whilst of course looking to the future.
The Ambitious Guest - given the title, it seems that there's something extra going on. I see only that the message is 'seize the day,' as in, if they'd gone on the adventure the child wished for, they'd be better off.
The White Old Maid - horror
Peter Goldthwaite's Treasure - irony
Endicott and the Red Cross - historical
The Birthmark - hard to read because the 'science' is so bad
Young Goodman Brown - ? All of us are complicit w/ Satan?
Rappaccini's Daughter - definitely could be adapted for modern readers of fantasy.
The Celestial Railroad - an update of Pilgrim's Progress, still very relevant. Includes "The Giant Transcendentalist,"
Feathertop - a golem who is more than/ a better man.
Egotism; or, The Bosom Serpent - um, sure, whatever.
The Christmas Banquet - skipped the bulk of it cuz Nat was getting 'purple' but the gist is, I think, that any feeling is 1. one's own, no matter one's circumstances and 2. better than no feeling at all.
Drowne's Wooden Image - an oaken figurehead foretells what we now label The Uncanny Valley, "Then came a sensation of fear; as if, not being actually human, yet so like humanity, hse must therefore be something preternatural."
Earth's Holocaust - a classic I've enjoyed in other anthologies
The Artist of the Beautiful - clearly a fable and commentary on obsession... but to what point, exactly?
The Great Stone Face - a sentimental favorite
Ethan Brand - a too obvious moral tale
The Wives of the Dead - I'm not sure I 'get' this.
The Antique Ring - a conceit, and, yes, sentimental
Alice Doane's Appeal - even after reading other's reviews, I'm not sure I decoded this sufficiently, but I do know I don't care for it.
And now I'm done. I hope to not encounter double negatives so often ever again. ("... who was not unstudied" followed a scant page later by "not improbably" gets old.)
But there are some good lines. "Like all other men around whom an engrossing purpose wreaths itself, he was insulated from the mass of human kind." (Context reveals that this is a bad thing.)
October 17, 2024
Short stories from the author of The Scarlet Letter 3/5
American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) is best known for his classic novel "The Scarlet Letter", but is also famous for his many short stories. His work is considered to fall into the genre of dark romanticism, with themes that focus on original sin, guilt, and morality, which is not surprising given his Puritan heritage.
I especially enjoyed and recommend these short stories:
• Feathertop: A parable about a scarecrow brought to life by a witch, until it realizes its existence is hollow.
• Rappaccini's Daughter: A young man falls in love with a beautiful woman raised among poisonous plants and who becomes poisonous herself.
• The Ambitious Guest: A traveler shares his dreams of greatness with a family that hosts him, when a terrible landslide arrives.
• The Minister's Black Veil: A preacher unsettles his community when he dons a mysterious black veil, a symbol of sin.
• Young Goodman Brown: A man ventures into the forest and encounters a satanic ritual, and learns how everyone is flawed.
Other famous Hawthorne short stories I've read that I'm not as enthusiastic about:
• Ethan Brand: A lime kiln worker searches for the "Unpardonable Sin."
• My Kinsman, Major Molineux: A young man arrives in a colonial town seeking his relative, only to discover him being publicly humiliated.
• The Artist of the Beautiful: A watchmaker creates a delicate robotic butterfly that symbolizes his artistic vision of beauty.
• The Birthmark: A scientist becomes obsessed with removing his wife’s birthmark, which he sees as a flaw preventing her from perfection.
• The Haunted Mind: A person who is half-awake at night drifts between dreams and reality.
• Wakefield: A man mysteriously abandons his wife and home for 20 years, observing them from a distance before ultimately returning.
American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) is best known for his classic novel "The Scarlet Letter", but is also famous for his many short stories. His work is considered to fall into the genre of dark romanticism, with themes that focus on original sin, guilt, and morality, which is not surprising given his Puritan heritage.
I especially enjoyed and recommend these short stories:
• Feathertop: A parable about a scarecrow brought to life by a witch, until it realizes its existence is hollow.
• Rappaccini's Daughter: A young man falls in love with a beautiful woman raised among poisonous plants and who becomes poisonous herself.
• The Ambitious Guest: A traveler shares his dreams of greatness with a family that hosts him, when a terrible landslide arrives.
• The Minister's Black Veil: A preacher unsettles his community when he dons a mysterious black veil, a symbol of sin.
• Young Goodman Brown: A man ventures into the forest and encounters a satanic ritual, and learns how everyone is flawed.
Other famous Hawthorne short stories I've read that I'm not as enthusiastic about:
• Ethan Brand: A lime kiln worker searches for the "Unpardonable Sin."
• My Kinsman, Major Molineux: A young man arrives in a colonial town seeking his relative, only to discover him being publicly humiliated.
• The Artist of the Beautiful: A watchmaker creates a delicate robotic butterfly that symbolizes his artistic vision of beauty.
• The Birthmark: A scientist becomes obsessed with removing his wife’s birthmark, which he sees as a flaw preventing her from perfection.
• The Haunted Mind: A person who is half-awake at night drifts between dreams and reality.
• Wakefield: A man mysteriously abandons his wife and home for 20 years, observing them from a distance before ultimately returning.
May 17, 2018
With engaging writing, going through the supernatural and gothic world, Hawthorne is one of the exponents of this style in the early half of the 18th century, influencing many other writers who came after him.
Young Master Brown, for example, how many movie scenes we see were possibly inspired by this tale written in 1835, in which the protagonist seeing the most ordinary people in society: from pastors and priests to politicians to merchants, from acquaintances to unknown pedestrians of a city - watches them closely and realizes that they are devils or faithful of a satanic cult. I remember for example, The Devil's Advocate, or a TV adaptation of an episode of Grimm.
In this tale, the characters' names are related to the symbolic, a direct metaphor of the story itself, as in American Gods, by Neil Gaiman. Here we find a woman named Faith and the protagonist Goodman.
From the dark and mysterious adventure of a satanic cult, without the certainty of that if it is a dream or reality, and the participation in it of a kind of secret society with the most unlikely members, the author points to two profound reflections: the greater evil would be that which dwells within people? And guilt and obsession could intoxicate an individual's mind in a radical way until death?
Young Master Brown, for example, how many movie scenes we see were possibly inspired by this tale written in 1835, in which the protagonist seeing the most ordinary people in society: from pastors and priests to politicians to merchants, from acquaintances to unknown pedestrians of a city - watches them closely and realizes that they are devils or faithful of a satanic cult. I remember for example, The Devil's Advocate, or a TV adaptation of an episode of Grimm.
In this tale, the characters' names are related to the symbolic, a direct metaphor of the story itself, as in American Gods, by Neil Gaiman. Here we find a woman named Faith and the protagonist Goodman.
From the dark and mysterious adventure of a satanic cult, without the certainty of that if it is a dream or reality, and the participation in it of a kind of secret society with the most unlikely members, the author points to two profound reflections: the greater evil would be that which dwells within people? And guilt and obsession could intoxicate an individual's mind in a radical way until death?
July 6, 2017
I've been struggling with ye olde Nathaniel for quite some time now, but after finally starting this collection of short stories (for the THIRD. TIME) I have to finally admit defeat. He's just not my favorite classic author. While I remain in awe of his ability to weave pictures through the use of his words (and write so eloquently along the way), getting through even this short collection of 24 short stories was a struggle.
This collection holds a few of the classics, such as "The Birthmark", but also offered a few for consideration that I had never heard of before. "The Antique Ring" made a particular impression, and remained one of my favorites throughout the collection.
In short, for all who consider themselves fans of Hawthorne this collection is for you! For those on the fence, like I was, this collection offers a quick look at the world renowned author without requiring you to delve too deeply into his world. Enjoy!
This collection holds a few of the classics, such as "The Birthmark", but also offered a few for consideration that I had never heard of before. "The Antique Ring" made a particular impression, and remained one of my favorites throughout the collection.
In short, for all who consider themselves fans of Hawthorne this collection is for you! For those on the fence, like I was, this collection offers a quick look at the world renowned author without requiring you to delve too deeply into his world. Enjoy!
January 1, 2023
The gray champion --3 stars
The minister's black veil --4 stars
The may-pole of Merry Mount --3.5 stars
Wakefield --4 stars
The great carbuncle --3 stars
The prophetic pictures --3.5 stars
Lady Eleanore's mantle --3 stars
Old Esther Dudley --3.5 stars
The ambitious guest --3.5 stars
The white old maid --4 stars
Peter Goldthwaite's treasure --4 stars
Endicott and the red cross --4 stars
The birthmark --3 stars
Young Goodman Brown --3.5 stars
Rappaccini's daughter --3.5 stars
The celestial railroad --3 stars
Feathertop : a moralized legend --3.5 stars
Egotism, or, The bosom serpent --3 stars
The artist of the beautiful --4 stars
The great stone face --3.5 stars
Ethan Brand --4 stars
The wives of the dead --3 stars
The antique ring --3 stars
Alice Doane's appeal --3.5 stars
The minister's black veil --4 stars
The may-pole of Merry Mount --3.5 stars
Wakefield --4 stars
The great carbuncle --3 stars
The prophetic pictures --3.5 stars
Lady Eleanore's mantle --3 stars
Old Esther Dudley --3.5 stars
The ambitious guest --3.5 stars
The white old maid --4 stars
Peter Goldthwaite's treasure --4 stars
Endicott and the red cross --4 stars
The birthmark --3 stars
Young Goodman Brown --3.5 stars
Rappaccini's daughter --3.5 stars
The celestial railroad --3 stars
Feathertop : a moralized legend --3.5 stars
Egotism, or, The bosom serpent --3 stars
The artist of the beautiful --4 stars
The great stone face --3.5 stars
Ethan Brand --4 stars
The wives of the dead --3 stars
The antique ring --3 stars
Alice Doane's appeal --3.5 stars
March 5, 2025
One of the very best to do it. In fact, after Chekhov, I'm not sure I would take anyone else in the category of the short story. I'm just absolutely hooked by Hawthorne's mastery of ironic narrative tone, tight grip on the reins of suspense, and the sensation that you're sitting around a fire listening to a wizened great-uncle tell ghost stories that he hopes will scare you into being a good Christian. "Young Goodman Brown," "The Birthmark," and "The Minister's Black Veil" deserve all the plaudits they get, but here are some slightly less-anthologized gems of classical romance and allegorical horror that all lovers of the literary should be familiar with:
My Kinsman, Major Molineux
Ethan Brand
Rappaccini's Daughter
The May-Pole of Merry Mount
Wakefield
The Wives of the Dead
My Kinsman, Major Molineux
Ethan Brand
Rappaccini's Daughter
The May-Pole of Merry Mount
Wakefield
The Wives of the Dead
November 28, 2025
2,8⭐️ (rounded up)
The Gray Champion : /
the Minister's Black veil - 5
The May-pole of Merey Mount - 3
The Gentle Boy - 3
Wakefield - 2
The Great Carbuncle - 2
The Prophetic Pictures - 2
Dr Heidegger's Experiment - 2
Lady Eleanore's Mantle - 4
Old Esther Dudley - 2
The Ambitious Guest - /
The White Old Maid - 3
Peter Goldthwaite's Treasure - 3
Endicott and the Red Croiss - 1
The Birthmark - 5
Young Goodman's Brown - 3
Rapaccini's Daughter - 5
The Celestial Railroad - 1
Feathertop - 3
Egotism or the Bosom Serpent - 3
The Christmas Banquet - 3
Drowne's Wooden Image - 2,5
The Artist and the Beautiful - /
The Great Stone Face - 2
Ethan Brand - 2
The Wives of the Dead - 3
The Antique Ring - 2
Alice Doane's Appeal - /
The Gray Champion : /
the Minister's Black veil - 5
The May-pole of Merey Mount - 3
The Gentle Boy - 3
Wakefield - 2
The Great Carbuncle - 2
The Prophetic Pictures - 2
Dr Heidegger's Experiment - 2
Lady Eleanore's Mantle - 4
Old Esther Dudley - 2
The Ambitious Guest - /
The White Old Maid - 3
Peter Goldthwaite's Treasure - 3
Endicott and the Red Croiss - 1
The Birthmark - 5
Young Goodman's Brown - 3
Rapaccini's Daughter - 5
The Celestial Railroad - 1
Feathertop - 3
Egotism or the Bosom Serpent - 3
The Christmas Banquet - 3
Drowne's Wooden Image - 2,5
The Artist and the Beautiful - /
The Great Stone Face - 2
Ethan Brand - 2
The Wives of the Dead - 3
The Antique Ring - 2
Alice Doane's Appeal - /
July 4, 2020
Had never read Hawthorne before and regret having waited so long to do so. Writing is livelier than I had expected and does not trades as dated and flowery prose that I was concerned about. The enjoyment of the stories depends upon the allegory contained in the story as the characters are more to serve the allegory than themselves. At times the allegories seems heavy handed and detract from the story. The Birthmark is as good as advertised. Also highly recommend the Prophetic Pictures and Dr. Heidiggers Experiment.
November 1, 2021
Nathaniel Hawthorne offers the gloom period piece in a timeless way. Unlike the magnificent novels The Scarlet Letter, and The House of Seven Gables, the short story format offers opportunity to showcase the breadth of his creativity and not just the depth. I read this in October on purpose — but being mindful of my sage, goth friend Michelle Kinsey Bruns, “MAKE HALLOWEEN EVERY DAY YOU COWARDS” — it is putridly perfect for year-round consumption.
May 21, 2017
"Truth often finds its way to the mind close muffled in robes of sleep, and then speaks with uncompromising directness of matters in regard to which we practice an unconscious self-deception during our waking moments." ---Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Read
October 6, 2022Did I think I would write on Hawthorne as a leading American urbanist? No. Is Hawthorne absolutely a brilliant urbanist? YES. Is The House of the Seven Gables the greatest novel ever written? Definitely not but you MUST read it.
June 26, 2024
born to be one of the hawthornes ethereal beauties.
forced to deal with all of his self-isolating/idealist/guilt-ridden men who struggle to understand the complexities of inherent evil in humans.
forced to deal with all of his self-isolating/idealist/guilt-ridden men who struggle to understand the complexities of inherent evil in humans.
October 31, 2017
Genius. A marvelous imagination at work.
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