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Passages from the American Note-books of Nathaniel Hawthorne
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
460 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1896
About the author
Nathaniel Hawthorne
5,622 books3,728 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 - 1 of 1 review
October 9, 2017
A fabulous revelation of Hawthorne’s reflections, musings, and experiences as set down by him in a series of quotidian notebooks. There is no theme except life as he lived it.
Here’s a snippet, literally chosen at random by opening a page with my eyes closed: “An old volume in a large library,—every one to be afraid to unclasp and open it, because it was said to be a book of magic.”
For a bibliophile who inclines to like 19th century American literature, this is a bit of magic.
I’ve read much of the book in short takes over a period of weeks, leaving this little gem—a tome in all but size—on my night table.
Another randomly selected excerpt: “In the deep valleys of the neighborhood, where the shadows at sunset are thrown from mountain to mountain, the clouds have a beautiful effect, flitting high over them, bright with heavenly gold. It seems as if the soul might rise up from the gloom, and alight upon them and soar away.”
Hawthorne’s articulate resonance with the world around him is a joy for all writers to share.
Hawthorne, the sometime gardener, does not shrink from indulgent self-consciousness: “Could I only have the freedom to be perfectly idle now,—no duty to fulfil, no mental or physical labor to perform,—I should be as happy as a squash, and much in the same mode…”
How happy can a squash be?
Read this book to prepare yourself to answer such a question.
(My copy was printed in 1872, so I can tantalize you by mentioning that it feels good and smells good, too.)
Read more of my book reviews here:
http://richardsubber.com/
Here’s a snippet, literally chosen at random by opening a page with my eyes closed: “An old volume in a large library,—every one to be afraid to unclasp and open it, because it was said to be a book of magic.”
For a bibliophile who inclines to like 19th century American literature, this is a bit of magic.
I’ve read much of the book in short takes over a period of weeks, leaving this little gem—a tome in all but size—on my night table.
Another randomly selected excerpt: “In the deep valleys of the neighborhood, where the shadows at sunset are thrown from mountain to mountain, the clouds have a beautiful effect, flitting high over them, bright with heavenly gold. It seems as if the soul might rise up from the gloom, and alight upon them and soar away.”
Hawthorne’s articulate resonance with the world around him is a joy for all writers to share.
Hawthorne, the sometime gardener, does not shrink from indulgent self-consciousness: “Could I only have the freedom to be perfectly idle now,—no duty to fulfil, no mental or physical labor to perform,—I should be as happy as a squash, and much in the same mode…”
How happy can a squash be?
Read this book to prepare yourself to answer such a question.
(My copy was printed in 1872, so I can tantalize you by mentioning that it feels good and smells good, too.)
Read more of my book reviews here:
http://richardsubber.com/
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review