Archibald Malmaison

by Julian Hawthorne

This edition adds a new introduction, "A Chapter of Afterthoughts," by Hawthorne, pages 7-31, and "Opinions of Medical Experts on Julian Hawthorne's Story of 'ARCHIBALD MALMAISON,'" pages 253-[265]. Hawthorne's neo-Gothic horror novel ARCHIBALD MALMAISON, first published in 1879 in London by Richard Bentley and Son, is his most melodramatically effective work of fiction. "Hawthorne's most powerful horror story ..." - Sullivan (ed), The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural, p. 196.

"Crowded with many Gothic manifestations, it arouses still the horror intended ... The story proved to be one of Hawthorne's most popular, both in England and America ..." - Bassan, Hawthorne's Son: The Life and Literary Career of Julian Hawthorne (1970), pp. 126-27. Barron (ed), Fantasy Literature 2-77. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 107. Bleiler (1978), p. 96.

264 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1879

About the author

Julian Hawthorne was the son of Nathaniel Hawthorne. He wrote poetry, novels, non-fiction, a series of crime novels based on the memoirs of New York's Inspector Byrnes, and edited several collections of short stories. He attended Harvard, without graduating, and later studied civil engineering.

In 1898, Julian submitted an eyewitness account of the destruction of the United States battleship, Maine off of the island of Cuba for William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal (although it has been proven that Julian was in the United States at the time of the explosion). Hawthorne's eyewitness testimony of foul play and aggression by Spain was taken as fact and helped steer the United States towards war.

In 1908 Hawthorne was invited by a college friend to join him in Canada selling shares in silver mines that did not exist. They were tried, convicted of mail fraud, and served one year in prison.

There is also at least one other author named Julian Hawthorne, who writes about unexplained mysteries.

Reviews

[Abigail Larkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it two years ago and it's haunted me ever since. I forgot the title, but thank goodness this site stores all of the things I've read from my Kindle or I never would have found it.

Because it was written in the late 1800s it might seem a little stuffy to read at first, but the preface of family lineage is supposed to impart the idea that Archibald is a cursed person, acting as a temporary vessel for this Malmaison ancestor's ghost. I won't give away spoilers, but I would love to discuss the book with someone sometime. It's a very fascinating read, and it really sticks with you after you read it.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

not overly sure why Archibald's mental health was added in the story. perhaps as a way to deviate from the 18th century story theme that he wrote. still, a nice book. would have liked more about Archibald and kate, with less emphasis on the history of the family. I'm always a sucker for a love story, honour fights and acts of extreme devotion. ending was OK... nothing spectacular.

[Sem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've come across some strange plot devices in my time, but this one was a corker. I'll just be over here in the corner, rolling my eyes.