Fragments from the Journal of a Solitary Man

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne (born Nathaniel Hathorne; July 4, 1804 – May 19, 1864) was an American novelist and short story writer. Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804 in the city of Salem, Massachusetts to Nathaniel Hathorne and the former Elizabeth Clarke Manning. His ancestors include John Hathorne, the only judge involved in the Salem witch trials who never repented of his actions. Nathaniel later added a "w" to make his name "Hawthorne" in order to hide this relation. He entered Bowdoin College in 1821, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1824, and graduated in 1825. Hawthorne anonymously published his first work, a novel titled Fanshawe, in 1828. He published several short stories in various periodicals which he collected in 1837 as Twice-Told Tales. The next year, he became engaged to Sophia Peabody. He worked at a Custom Houseand joined Brook Farm, a transcendentalist 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 their return to The Wayside in 1860. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, and was survived by his wife and their three children.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

26 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2005

About the author

Nathaniel 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.

Reviews

[icaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

L'America è quasi sempre epica e dunque eroica e violenta, sublime e ripugnante, fastosa e miserabile...come ce l'aspettiamo. Ma l'America, qualche volta è elegiaca, fresca come il primo mattino del mondo e il racconto che da il titolo al libro incarna bene, mi pare, questa sua altra faccia

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many disenfranchised youths, "Fragments" tells the story of a young man who finds his lust for life amidst a strict timetable for which his mortality is represented.
Its dark, but poetic, and offers a reminder that it is in our darkest, most macabre situations that we might best understand the privilege we've been afforded.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little read about a man who is extremely self aware and his pondering a on his youth and life. I enjoyed reading this and loved the imagery and descriptions. It was quite philosophical and interesting to read.

[Delanie Dooms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story by Hawthorne with a message of some importance. It is, more-or-less, about accepting life as it comes to us, in consideration that the best parts of life--like the love of a young man, his poems, his ways--cannot but be lost in futurity, as we all must age.

[Aaron Schuschu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terribly insightful and self- aware casualty of an application of Kierkegaard.

[Chiara Monetti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sinceramente le mie aspettative sono state un pò deluse, molto vicino per certi aspetti al pensiero di kierkegaard

[Rhys Causon · Rating 2 out of 5]

But if a bland story. About as interesting as actually reading an old diary that someone didn’t bother filling out.

[Come Musica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alla riscoperta di ciò che conta.