book data
20 ratings,
3.70
average rating, 5 reviews
(more data...)
edit
published
September 30th 2003
by Knopf
binding
Hardcover, 528 pages
isbn
0375400443
(isbn13: 9780375400445)
description
Handsome, reserved, almost frighteningly aloof until he was approached, then playful, cordial, Nathaniel Hawthorne was as mercurial and double-edged a...more
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
friend reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 35)
All ratings
|
5 stars (2)
|
4 stars (4)
|
3 stars (5)
|
2 stars (0)
|
1 star (1)
|
avg 3.70
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
It's not easy to write a biography of someone whose middle name might as well have been Ambivalence. Wineapple's bio is the more entertaining of modern bios because she really emphasizes this peculiar aspect of both his persona and his appeal. A notorious fence-sitter, NH professed indifference to abolition, feminism, politics, and just about every other concern of the real world, claiming the artist must reside in the imaginary. In reality, he wasn't above pressing the flesh, calling in chits, ...more
Like this review?
yes
(5 people liked it)
2 comments
Read in February, 2009
Wineapple presents a fascinating biographical account of the tortured author who was a paradox even to contemporaries who knew him well like Herman Melville, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Margaret Fuller. Hawthorne, reclusive and eccentric, fluctuated in his opinions about being a writer. He even burned original drafts of his stories to control how he would be portrayed by future critics!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2009
Excellently written but unfortunately as Hawthorne aged he became more and more unlikeable....and irritating and so did Sophia. Anyone interesting in this literary period and circle would be well disposed to read The Peabodys about Elizabeth, Sophia (Hawthorne) and Mary (Mann) - great book in every way.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
A really great bio! It was interesting and a good read and still academic! I read this bio at the same time as reading all of his work. Doing this was really fascinating, but I am not sure whar affect it might have had on my reading.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Recommended by the smart, jolly guide at the Old Manse on Saturday. There are messages scratched on the glass with a diamond ring there; the house is amazing!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in May, 2009
























