The House of the Seven Gables in Reading the Classics

Mar 21, 2012 Henry Avila rated it liked it · review of another edition

The illustrious Pyncheon family had quite a useful reign, (but that was long ago) its founder Col. Pyncheon a stout, merciless Puritan and able soldier, helped wipe out the scourge the evil threat of the abominable witches, in the honorable Salem trials of 1692. For his just reward he happened by pure accident, to take over the property of old Matthew Maule. Still a splendid , beautiful area the perfect place to set his building the magnificent Seven Gables,
the Colonel's new mansion for his nobl The illustrious Pyncheon family had quite a useful reign, (but that was long ago) its founder Col. Pyncheon a stout, merciless Puritan and able soldier, helped wipe out the scourge the evil threat of the abominable witches, in the honorable Salem trials of 1692. For his just reward he happened by pure accident, to take over the property of old Matthew Maule. Still a splendid , beautiful area the perfect place to set his building the magnificent Seven Gables,
the Colonel's new mansion for his noble efforts .The wicked Wizard Maule , met his proper end at Gallows Hill. Things do not stay the same unfortunately, the family and House of the Seven Gables have seen better days... In fact truthfully at one time few would argue against it being ranked among the best edifices in colonial Massachusetts. That was more than 150 years ago this building, shall we reiterate is a little run down ( a dump in reality). Hepzibah Pyncheon, an "old maid", with nevertheless a wonderful name is now all alone, the only exception a young boarder, Mr. Holgrave. A daguerreotypist, as a resident the poor Hepzibah has to open a cent store, also to make a living what a humiliating situation for an upper class woman, from a formerly prominent family. Also visiting a relative Phoebe Pyncheon, a penniless country cousin with all that implies, the girl has no idea why the brother of Miss Pyncheon, Clifford returns home after 30 years, was it for some crime ? Nobody is talking and the 17- year- old- girl doesn't ask too many questions, she is a guest after all and very grateful. Judge Jaffrey Pyncheon, a rich distinguished man once a member of Congress and his son traveling around Europe somewhere, are the last male Pyncheons, not counting the unfortunate and sick Clifford, nobody does. People stay away from the strange house rumors about ghosts and unexplained deaths, are a constant source of gossip for the dull town. The bored Clifford likes to blow soap bubbles from the second story of the mansion, one hits his haughty cousin the distinguished gentleman on the nose. The prosperous relative now has an excuse to visit, wanting to talk to Clifford, about a vague proposition but the nervous ex-inmate, blames the aloof magistrate for his troubles refuses. A dark , strange thick atmosphere engulfs the premises, the ancient crumbling House of the Seven Gables, will some sunshine ever brighten it ? A classic novel not as exciting as when it was first published, yet worth reading still. Over a century and a half after being first written, many events have shocked the world making this rather mild in comparison. Did Hawthorne's, ( author of The Scarlet Letter, a monumental work) evil ancestors involvement in the notorious Salem kangaroo trials, gullible adults fooled by emotional delusional bad children with no conscious...Did these killings of innocent people, haunt the great author? ...more

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Jul 09, 2017 Tim Hickman rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned, 1001-books-read

My favorite part of this tale of Hepzibah, Clifford and Phoebe is the chapter elaborating all of the activities that the loathsome Judge Pyncheon could be doing if he would only get up out of his chair. This action is quite difficult because Judge Pyncheon is dead. Classic.

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