Early American Literature discussion

The long-awaited and greatly anticpated day has arrived (almost)! We have decided to set this discussion up a little differently this time so hopefully we won't have to bother about spoilers. This thread may be used for sharing any general information related to the book and then I will be setting up a separate thread for each story in this collection. Since there are 25 stories and sketches, I do hope it won't get too confusing!

We are also doing an optional side-read of Hawthorne and His Mosses by Herman Melville if anyone is interested. It's fairly short (12 pages when I printed it out) but full of great insights! 😊

Looking forward to the read!

Hannah wrote: "Looking forward to the read!"

👍😊

Meg,
My apologies, I can't get into Mosses right
now, but I will read My Kinsmen Major Molineux
to commemorate Hawthorne month.

Meg, if any of us have already read Mosses and reviewed it, would it be appropriate for us to post a link to our review on this thread?

Ruth wrote: "Meg,
My apologies, I can't get into Mosses right
now, but I will read My Kinsmen Major Molineux
to commemorate Hawthorne month."

Oh that's alright Ruth, although I admit I'm disappointed you won't be joining in...you would really appreciate the beauty in these stories! 😊
I really enjoyed My Kinsman Major Molineux although it wasn't exactly what I was expecting and didn't seem as deep as many of his stories (at least in my opinion!).
I was just going to ask what we should do to celebrate Mr. Hawthorne's birthday tomorrow! 🤔😉

Werner wrote: "Meg, if any of us have already read Mosses and reviewed it, would it be appropriate for us to post a link to our review on this thread?"

Yes, certainly! 😊

Meg wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Meg,
My apologies, I can't get into Mosses right
now, but I will read My Kinsmen Major Molineux
to commemorate Hawthorne month."

Oh that's alright Ruth, although I admit I'm disappo..."

We could bake him a cake? 😏

We can post our favorite quotes, stories,
pictures, reads, Hawthorne cakes.

Ruth wrote: "We can post our favorite quotes, stories,
pictures, reads, Hawthorne cakes."

That would be fun! 😊

Meg wrote: "Ruth wrote: "We can post our favorite quotes, stories,
pictures, reads, Hawthorne cakes."

That would be fun! 😊"

A new section can be created for authors/ works
starting with Hawthorne.

Ruth wrote: "A new section can be created for authors/ works
starting with Hawthorne."

Wonderful idea, Ruth! 😊 Coming right up...

Meg wrote: "Werner wrote: "Meg, if any of us have already read Mosses and reviewed it, would it be appropriate for us to post a link to our review on this thread?"

Yes, certainly! 😊"

My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... . The collection was my introduction to the author's work, and it got four stars from me.

Werner wrote: "My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... . The collection was my introduction to the author's work, and it got four stars from me."

Excellent review, Werner! I especially appreciate you pointing out Hawthorne's strong Christian faith - something that's not mentioned much anymore. I've even had people ask me doubtfully if he was a Christian. It is so obvious in his writings, not only in what he wrote for publication but also in his private journals. My own faith has been strengthened by some of the things he's said!

Personally, I don't find his sketches and essays boring in the least. His descriptions of nature especially are incredibly beautiful and I always marvel at his ability to make clear pictures with his words! 😊

Thanks, Meg!

Whew, I think I've finally got threads up for all of the stories! I wanted to make sure I had them all there for you all before I leave Monday. 😊

Where are you headed off to on Monday, Meg? (You probably already told us on the Chat thread, but I haven't been following that one so far!)

Werner wrote: "Where are you headed off to on Monday, Meg? (You probably already told us on the Chat thread, but I haven't been following that one so far!)"

My dad and I are going down to western PA and probably into OH, taking some Amish friends (my dad drives for a small community here). We're leaving around 3 this morning and will be back late next Monday. 😊

Sounds good, Meg! Have a good trip.

Werner wrote: "Sounds good, Meg! Have a good trip."

Thanks Werner! 😊

I just finished this beautiful book this evening! My review is here if anyone is interested 😊... http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I still have a lot to share on many of the individual stories, including a few that I read while I was on the trip...there is just so much!!!