"Amid the seeming confusion of our mysterious world, individuals are so nicely adjusted to a system, and systems to one another, and to a whole, that, by stepping aside for a moment, a man exposes himself to a fearful risk of losing his place forever. Like Wakefield, he may become, as it were, the Outcast of the Universe." — Wakefield, Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne is a treasure. I first encountered him in 9th grade English class by way of his haunting short story, The Birth-Mark. In it, a scientist tragically obsesses over the blemish on his beautiful bride's cheek. Two years later, The Scarlet Letter, was forced upon me in English class, except unlike so many assignment, this one I literally couldn't stop reading. The independent spirit of Hester Prynne, the tormented soul of Arthur Dimmesdale, and the satirically drawn, hypocritical Puritan town were clear, vibrant, dramatic, and haunting. And now, twelve years later, I'm bound by the New Englander's spell after plucking a gorgeously illustrated hardback off the shelf of a 197-year-old barn (yes, actually). Twice Told Tales, first told in various magazines and newspapers of the mid-1800s, is a curation of nearly 30 Hawthorne shorts, 9 dreamy illustrations by Lars Hokanson, and 2 praising Afterwords by Edgar Allan Poe and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Here are three of my favorite tales...
The Great Carbuncle — A band of intrepid, yet distinctly motivated explorers search the White Mountains of New England for a fabled gemstone known as the Great Carbuncle. The finder(s) may surprise you.
The Maypole of Merry Mount — A legend from Salem's earliest days in which a rival colony of forest-dwelling libertines dance beneath a maypole, celebrating the marriage of two youths.
The Minister's Black Veil — Mr. Hooper returns to his congregation one day with his face hidden behind a black veil. The community speculates as to its meaning and what happened to their preacher. [JG]
Here are three of my favorite tales...
The Great Carbuncle — A band of intrepid, yet distinctly motivated explorers search the White Mountains of New England for a fabled gemstone known as the Great Carbuncle. The finder(s) may surprise you.
The Maypole of Merry Mount — A legend from Salem's earliest days in which a rival colony of forest-dwelling libertines dance beneath a maypole, celebrating the marriage of two youths.
The Minister's Black Veil — Mr. Hooper returns to his congregation one day with his face hidden behind a black veil. The community speculates as to its meaning and what happened to their preacher. [JG]
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"As the moral gloom of the world overpowers all systematic gaiety, even so was their home of wild mirth made desolate amid the sad forest. They returned to [the maypole] no more."
— The Maypole of Merry Mount, Nathaniel Hawthorne
— The Maypole of Merry Mount, Nathaniel Hawthorne
WHO WAS NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE?
Nathaniel Hathorne was born in Salem, Massachusetts in 1804. His ancestors included one of the original judges presiding over the Salem witch trials generations earlier; the only one unwilling to repent for his involvement. Nathaniel added a "w" and became Hawthorne to hide that relation.
Hawthorne published his first novel, Fanshawe, anonymously at the age of twenty-four. It received mostly positive reviews at the time, although Hawthorne was critical of it himself. This self-criticism continued throughout Hawthorne's life. For example, he burned all of his drafts and notes, uncomfortable with people seeing any unfinished work. He died at age 59 with four romantic novels published and dozens of unfinished works.
Having recently reread Edith Hamilton's Mythology, I'm especially interested in reading The Wonder Book for Boys and Girls, Hawthorne's rendition of six ancient Greek myths. I've also been recommended The Marble Faun by a friend, which is set just before the American Civil War in a fantastical Italy. In that same 197-year-old barn I mentioned above, I picked up a copy of both. Will report back!
Hawthorne published his first novel, Fanshawe, anonymously at the age of twenty-four. It received mostly positive reviews at the time, although Hawthorne was critical of it himself. This self-criticism continued throughout Hawthorne's life. For example, he burned all of his drafts and notes, uncomfortable with people seeing any unfinished work. He died at age 59 with four romantic novels published and dozens of unfinished works.
Having recently reread Edith Hamilton's Mythology, I'm especially interested in reading The Wonder Book for Boys and Girls, Hawthorne's rendition of six ancient Greek myths. I've also been recommended The Marble Faun by a friend, which is set just before the American Civil War in a fantastical Italy. In that same 197-year-old barn I mentioned above, I picked up a copy of both. Will report back!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
 THE HANDMAID'S TALE Margaret Atwood  FOR YOUR EYES ONLY Ian Fleming |  THE SCARLET LETTER Nathaniel Hawthorne  THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY Oscar Wilde |
