Book Description
1873. Two Volumes in One. Hawthorne, who, like Edgar Allan Poe, took a dark view of human nature, was a central figure in the American Renaissance. His best-known works include The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables. After his death his wife edited and published his notebooks Passages from the American Notebooks, Passages from the English Notebooks, and Passages from the French and Italian Notebooks. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing. ... Read more

Book Description
1871. Two Volumes in One. Hawthorne, who, like Edgar Allan Poe, took a dark view of human nature, was a central figure in the American Renaissance. His best-known works include The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables. After his death his wife edited and published his notebooks Passages from the American Notebooks, Passages from the English Notebooks, and Passages from the French and Italian Notebooks. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing ... Read more

Book Description
Nathaniel Hawthorne not only contributed greatly to the formation of an American writing style, he also created an important history of the early country.This is an easy reading history of the early days in America, as a colony, as a revolutionary state, and then as a new republic.It covers important event like the Boston Tea Party, Salem witches, Tories, and the French and Indian War.Download Description
At this time, however, it happened to be the fashion for ladies to adorn their drawing-rooms with the oldest and oddest chairs that could be found. It seemed to cousin Clara that, if these ladies could have seen Grandfather's old chair, they would have thought it worth all the rest together. She wondered if it were not even older than Grandfather himself, and longed to know all about its history. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.Download Description
Doctor Melmoth, at the time when he is to be intro- duced to the reader, had borne the matrimonial yoke (and in his case it was no light burthen) nearly twenty years. The blessing of children, however, had been de- nied him, -- a circumstance which he was accustomed to consider as one of the sorest trials that chequered his path way; for he was a man of a kind and affectionate heart, that was continually seeking objects to rest itself upon. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

The Pristine Wilderness As Gothic Cathedral
Nathaniel Hawthorne supposedly felt such shame at this novella, written while he was a relatively young person, that he refused to acknowledge it in his lifetime, and even burned every copy of it that he could get his hands on. Bad move! The truth is Fanshawe is well worth reading. It is exciting, boldly told, and it has a sweetness to it that isn't there in Hawthorne's later writings, however masterful they might be. Also the story Fanshawe tells is one that clearly arises from the lingering influence the Romantics had on young Hawthorne. Even the book's namesake and protagonist is a sort of fondly imagined stand-in for the bookish Hawthorne of his so recent school days. The setting for this straightforward Gothic adventure of kidnapping andrescue is the yet untamed American wilderness of the 1740's, which Hawthorne winsomely describes as a sort of vast, green, brooding cathedral of stone, water, sky, soil, air, and forest, filled with towering rocky hills and echoing mossy caves, free-flowing streams, and ancient trees. The countryside of his prose is a thing of stirring beauty, and his characters truly achieve a dimension few other writers would manage in a tale so brief. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the experience of reading Fanshawe, and was also surprised at how nicely it stays in my memory. Hawthorne's orphaned work is also one of his best, and I think it deserves five stars.

Modest Beginnings
I am a great fan of classic literature, but I can't say I enjoyed Hawthorne's "Fanshawe" too much.Though the reader can see the great writer at work, it seems that Hawthorne was experimenting with styles and character development.The storyline is good, characters developed to a decent extent, and there are the essential components of all of Hawthorne's later great works.Ellen, a lovable character is under care of her father's friend, a charming old doctor, who is himself childless.Two men vie for Ellen's attention, and their affections will soon be put to the test when a villain enters the scene, threatening Ellen's peaceful existence.

Though short and not one of Hawthorne's best works, "Fanshaw" nonetheless is a good story and a good beginning from a man who became one of the great literary masters.

Fanshaw: Hawthorne's First Romance
For Hawthorne folks, it's fun, as he stumbles about with all kinds of gothic folderol. He ordered the novel burned after having published it himself in 1828, but there are keys to his greater works: the pale deathly bachelor, the ruddy passionate fellow, the pale but feisty maiden, the dark woods around Bowdoin College in Maine (where the novel takes place), the flights and escapes and possibilities of rape.Great, it ain't, but it's fun and foreshadows Hawthorne's career in fiction.

Hawthorne Himself Underestimated This.
3 1/2 stars would probably be more accurate. I know that even Hawthorne himself didn't care too much for this 'child' of his. But in my opinion, he kind of sold himself short. To be sure, it's not exactly "The Scarlet Letter" of "The House of the Seven Gables." Nevertheless, it does to some extent show Hawthorne's brewing genius. The story revolves around some fairly well developed characters. Dr. Melmouth is the guardian of Langton's daughter Ellen. We later learn that the at least moderately benevolent Melmouth has an interesting flaw. He devoted his life to study, but he is somewhat naive in the ways of the world. (He has lead too sheltered of a life.) We also meet the rivals for Ellen. (Fanshawe and Edward) They are interestingly different. Fanshawe is the more benevolent one. Edward seems more interested in proving himself a hero. Fanshawe has a confrontation with the Angler, and it is clear that Fanshawe does not like him. The questionalbe friendship of Hugh Crombie and the Angler is drawn well. The Angler wants to run off with Ellen, (partially for her inheritence), and Hugh Crombie does not like this, but the Angler is able to convince him to cooperate.Well, Ellen is abducted by the Angler. (Despite the dark character of the Angler, Hawthorne does reminds us that the Angler is still a human being.) He had a sad childhood, and he came into the service of Ellen's father. He served Ellen's father as best he could, but Langton: "...shut the door of repentance against his erring protege, and left him a situation not less desperate, than that from which he had relieved him." Well, Fanshaw and Edward put aside their differences to try to save Ellen. Though Fanshawe is the more altruistic one. In fact, Edward almost resents the help: "It was his wish to persue the chase on his own responsibility." Edward accepts the help of Ellen's father, but he is not overly happy about it. Well, Ellen eventually starts to have 2nd thoughts about what she has at least partially consented to, and she tries to escape. It is in fact the under appreciated Fanshawe who comes to Ellen's rescue. Here it is prevalent that Hawthorne himself detests the cliche romantic formula of having the typical 'Prince Charming' rescue the damsel in distress and living happily ever after: "The maiden must have been far more blind than ever woman was...if the late events had not convinced her of Fanshawe's devoted attachment; and she saw Edward Walcott feeling the superior..."Poor Fanshawe wishes Ellen well and leaves her free to marry Edward. Even though Hawthorne himself did not really like this 'child of his,' it is really a great study. He gives usmemorable characters, a villain who is a human being, and he shows his fierce style in attacking the cliche romance formula. Don't be so hard on yourself Mr. Hawthorne.

A Crucial Study
Most people know Hawthorne's 2nd novel "The Scarlet Letter" (1850). The only reason I was exposed to his first novel"Fanshawe" (1828) was that I majored in English. I think when weare only exposed to their selected best works, we fail to remember thateven the BEST writers like Marlowe and Shakespeare were human. And ashumans, NOT EVERY SINGLE THING they write can be a masterpiece. So why read"Fanshawe?" Well, this first novel shows us the greatness tocome. We are presented with memorable and chilling images. Ellen ismemorable as the typical damsel in distress. Fanshawe and Edward Walcottare captivating as the rivals for Ellen's love who put their differencesaside to save her. The Angler is captivating as a villain who offers someinteresting passages and is not quite a monster. And Hawthorne manages tospeed things up with a wild chase and bitter confrontation. To be sure,this does not represent Hawthorne's best efforts, but do we really know anauthor if we only read his best works? This novel helps us see thegreatness that was to come. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more