Rating: 
Summary: Not for short attention spans
Review: A slow, leisurely, and deep read. Hawthorne has a wonderful prose style that is uniquely him. He has a poetic way of taking things that seem small or insignificant and making them large and thoughtful. The plot does not move along quickly, but I found that the reading did. The characters seem to move in slow motion for a great majority of the book, and every movement has volumes of meaning. I feel this book is very representative of the emergence of american values of equality, of a disdain for the importance previously placed on pedigree or heritage and of course, of the emphasis on things like virtue, humility, etc. A delicious read.
Rating: 
Summary: This book was difficult at times, but in the end is worth it
Review: After reading The House of the Seven Gables, I think that it is a decent book to read. I would not recommend it for younger teenagers because of the fact that the language is so descriptive and at times difficult to understand. Throughout the book, I found myself picking up a dictionary to find out what certain terms meant. At times I found it annoying because I did not understand all of the meanings, but then you have to remember that Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote this book in 1851. During the beginning of the book, I would find myself reading, and as I got down to the bottom of a page, I would realize I had no idea what I had just read. The book was dull and boring at times, but the plot was rather interesting to me. Although The House of Seven Gables was difficult at times, in the end it was worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Characters You Won't Soon Forget
Review: Although I'm a big fan of Hawthorne's short stories, this is my first venture into his novel writing. His short stories, by their very nature, move from conflict to climax without much ado. They are preachy, pedantic, and allegorical--and I love them. "...Seven Gables" moves along at a much slower pace, developing symbolism and characters with greater subtlety and depth. The plot itself is not much deeper than one of his short stories. We watch humbled, yet strong Hepzibah struggle for a living from a one room shop in the house. Along the way, she meets a variety of characters and becomes host and confidant to a long-lost relative, gentle Phoebe. Phoebe is sunlight, poking into the shadows of the gabled house, bringing vivacity to its occupants, Hepzibah, Clifford, and Holgrave. Yes, Hawthorne hints at sinister things in the past and present of the old house, but only with the arrival of Judge Pyncheon do we begin to suspect trouble brewing.The conclusion of the book involves death and hidden riches and suspicions and redemption. The symbols throughout--the house, the chimney, the elm tree, the chickens, etc.--manage to reveal their purposes in due time. In a satisfactory manner, Hawthorne contrasts the insidious nature of religious hypocrisy with the virtues of honesty and gentle love. The horrors of the Pyncheons' past fade away in the light of Phoebe's commitment and care. Her time in the house brings life to all within...all except one. Hawthorne could've encapsulated this tale in one of his short stories. He could've sliced away words with meticulous demand. Instead, he allows us to know and care for the people in his story. Some readers, granted, will find it difficult to care and will call it a waste of their time; sure, it takes a little effort. But, just as Phoebe and Hepzibah display sacrificial love, a reader who's willing to give the time might find worthwhile rewards by the book's end. If you're already a fan, you'll enjoy it. I certainly did. If it seems too long, try some of his short works and work up your appetite for these heartier courses. This is rich stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Not a cheerful book, but beautifully written
Review: At first I felt the characters were too gloomy for my taste and it took some effort to keep reading. Hawthorne's writing style kept me going because it is so clearly descriptive that I felt I was experiencing the story (creepy as it was at times). When the young relative was introduced into the story, it gained momentum and I was hooked. I can see where the story would hold little interest for teenagers and is better suited for more mature readers, but I certainly can see why this book has been around for 150 years.
Rating: 
Summary: BORING
Review: Don't read unless you are held at gun point
Rating:
Summary: Haunting
Review: Hawthorne was often a spotty writer. At his best he was sublime ("Young Goodman Brown"), and at his worst he was ridiculous ("The Bosom Serpent"). This books lies somewhere in between. It is based on an interesting premise, the handing down of a sin through generations, and the dark shadow of Puritanism. The plot is slow to get moving, however, and most of the characters are less than engaging. Still, it's worth a good look, especially if you have visited the house itself upon which the tale is based, in Salem.
Rating:
Summary: excellent writing, not that interesting
Review: Hawthorne's writing style is excellent, perhaps one of the very best in english. and his idea is good too, i'll give him that. but the story is not made very interesting. developed too slowly. too much about the family affairs, and too little about the mystery. not enough susepence for me.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Mixed Feelings
Review: I am currently reading this book. It is the legend of the House of the Seven Gables that makes the novel interesting - the curse the House bears and those troubled characters living within neglected walls and shrouding darkness make for an intruiging read. I have to admit, though, that this book is a very heavy read for me. It seems unnecessarily poetic and lacking in action. At times my mind wanders from the words my eyes are habitually tracing across the pages, but there are other times when I am absolutely absorbed. But I'm only absorbed periodically for only about a third of the read, and overall it's just not working for me. I'm driven to the end if only to see what becomes of these odd, cursed beings who are seemingly manipulated through this book by a rather dark destiny.
Rating:
Summary: Very Slow
Review: I have come to the conclusion that this is a novel you will either love or you just can't get into it. I am one who couldn't get into it. Hawthorne gets off of the topic often and takes forever to accomplish the discription of something I felt most writers could have done more quickly and more succesfully. All of the discription seemed excessive and only confused me. I had to force myself to read the first half of this book, and by the time I had reached that point I came to the conclusion that if it hadn't already captured my attention then it wasn't going to. I have always enjoyed early American literature, Greek literature, and have read my fare share of William Shakespeare, but I just couldn't enjoy this one. It was just too dry, and the story really seemed to go no where. I really couldn't recommend this one to anyone as a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Very Slow
Review: I have come to the conclusion that this is anovel you either love or you just can't get into it. I couldn't get into it. Hawthorne gets off of the topic often and takes forever to accomplish the discription of something I felt most writers could have done more quickly and more succesfully. All of the discription seemed excessive and only confused me. I had to force myself to read the first half of this book, and by the time I had reached that point I came to the conclusion that if it wasn't good already it wasn't going to get much better. I have always enjoyed early American literature, Greek literature, and have read my fare share of William Shakespeare, but I just couldn't enjoy this one. It was just too dry.
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