As a child in a small Midwest farming community I remember how foreign and mysterious the outside world seemed...fantastical people and places. My first recollection that there were great things to explore and that the world was filled with mystery to discover came from playing 'The Game of Authors'. The game was first published in Salem, Massachusetts in 1897 with the original deck of cards representing the works of eleven famous authors. My love for reading and knowledge has been a constant; however, reading for pleasure requires scheduling it in during the middle of the night!
I look at these cards now and they bring back so many memories. Besides playing the game, creating the back stories of who these people were and what their lives were like could occupy a whole lazy afternoon. Among all the authors in the game, Nathaniel Hawthorne intrigued me the most. How strikingly different in dress and appearance from the farmers in town. From the powder blue suit to the blond wavy hair I was in awe! His eyes were piercingly blue, dangerous yet somehow sad and with a cold, distant expression I recall being somewhat scared and apprehensive of his appearance. Someday I vowed to unlock the mystery of these 'Authors'.
As is the case with most childhood dreams and fantasies, this one was lost along the way. However, four decades later it was to spring to life once again. One fall day (late September of 2012) I was wandering the streets of Salem, MA taking in the historic sites of the Salem Witch Trials. It was to be one of the most unexpected and wonderful adventures! If I had known this was the birthplace of Nathaniel Hawthorne, it was a forgotten detail. During a reenactment of the witch trials, a portrayal of the man who officiated these trials was addressed as Nathaniel Hawthorne. Having read The Scarlet Letter in my early years and knowing a few details of New England and the first Puritan settlers, I knew it couldn't be the author himself as he would have been only an infant at the time. I was unaware how personal the novel was to his real life...it was his grandfather that officiated the trials and whom both himself and his father shared the name, Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Instantly my mind recalled his picture from the Authors card, the only one of him I had ever seen. The rest of my day in Salem was spent investigating his life as a young boy and later as a famous writer. The best adventures and mysteries are those one happens upon by chance... so I toured the 'House of the Seven Gables', walked through the streets of Salem where he grew up and visited museums. I left Salem that day completely awestruck - never in my childhood dreams did I ever imagine someday not only being in New England but discovering the real back story to this intriguing author on the card in person. The next day I began reading The House of the Seven Gables. It has taken me exactly one year, but have just completed reading the complete works of Nathaniel Hawthorne: over 100 fictional novels, non-fiction, short-stories and essays. It would take another few months to write a thesis on the knowledge I have attained about the man and the author, which I will leave to the English majors, but have decided to briefly highlight my favorite writings from this Gothic Romance writer.
The House of the Seven Gables
This just might be at the top of my list of best novels! Better than The Scarlet Letter, this novel had it all...from mystery to romance the characters were so richly described, one had a sense of a real connection with them. Having real depth to a plot that was at once both dark and bright it was a hard book to put down - the best kind! In the story, a first floor room in the house of seven gables was transformed into a small general store where much of the story centered. This store was actually in the real house and when touring it was able to view it.
Drowne's Wooden Image
A short story set in Boston describes the life of a wood carver who has just been contracted to carve the figure-head for the prow of a new ship, the Cynosure. From a block of solid oak and mysterious direction from the ships captain, Drowne carves a masterpiece figure-head of a young woman...
"Then came a sensation of fear; as if, not being actually human, yet so like humanity, she must therefore be something preternatural....Who and from what sphere this daughter of oak should be?"
Walking through the streets of Salem, these figure-heads can be found on almost every corner. This short story provided the rich history of figure-head carving and mystery behind the design - a must read!
Footprints on the Sea-Shore
A personal favorite, one that not everyone would enjoy. Living on the East Coast, my love of the ocean and the tranquility it provides, seemed to be captured in the lines written. A short story of one man's day of needing to get away from the world - a day spent on a deserted stretch of beach. So beautifully written it was a peaceful break from his typical writings - I had to make sure he wrote it! I believe this was the only story he wrote not involving death.
After reading the complete collection of works by Nathaniel Hawthorne I was able to see two very different sides to him as an author which maybe translates to him as a man. As an author most of his writings are dark and romantic, containing elements of witchcraft; foolery, potions, and magic! However, in reading the short stories I delighted in his use of Greek mythology in the storytelling of heroism, morality, and humanities battle with the world. One common theme in all his work is death - someone dies, is near death, is murdered, is brought back from death, or avoids death.
It may have taken 40 years to accomplish what as a child seemed so easily done, but with everything in life one must make the time and take advantage of the time they have - this was one year of precious time I would definitely give up again! Now on to the next author!
Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)
Nathaniel Hawthorne Biography and Complete Works
Gallery: Our trip to Salem, MA and the home of Nathaniel Hawthorne
Comments