Rating: 
Summary: Hawthorne's Six-And-A-Half-Gable Surplus
Review: Nathaniel Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables today enjoys unshakable status as one of the brighter stars in the firmament of American literature. Though praised by Hermann Melville, Edgar Allen Poe, and other respected authors and critics at the time of its publication in 1851, many of today's readers may question the novel's reputation for greatness. Was it one of the first substantial novels by an American author? Where Americans of the era, tired of bowing to European cultural tradition, hungry for a literary hero of their own? Undoubtedly. Coming more than twenty years after the bright, crisp style of Washington Irving, the regressive House of the Seven Gables reads like the kind of tiresome classic many people dread being forced to confront in higher education classes, for the book feels more like the product of the 18th rather than the 19th century. Like the balance of Irving's short stories, The House of the Seven Gables is set a century earlier than the period in which it was written, thus making comparisons with Irving even more difficult to ignore. The major problem with The House of the Seven Gables is that its story could be told by a shrewder and less indulgent author in one tenth of its 268 somnolent pages. Hawthorne worked within the framework of a specifically chosen plot and theme, yet the novel, taken page by page, appears to be about almost nothing: there seem to be vacuums between the words, voids between the sentences, gulfs between the paragraphs. Hawthorne considered this work a romance, and there are some suitably gothic shadows, but, if in fact a romance, The House of the Seven Gables is the flattest major romance in Western literature. Though its plot elements include a corrupt judge, accusations of witchcraft, the hanging of a sorcerer, a poisoned well, and a murderous, disembodied hand, the tone throughout is tepid and airless. Structurally, the novel is disastrous. Elderly Hepzibah Pyncheon, one of the last members of a declining New England family, is opening a small penny goods shop on the lower floor of the seven - gabled house in which she lives in solitude. Now financially destitute, Hepzibah bravely faces down her elitist illusions concerning her family's social superiority when she realizes how completely present the wolf is at her door. After a turgid history of the righteous Pyncheons of Salem in chapter one, the second concerns itself only with an account of Hepzibah's fumbling attempts to open the shop on its first day of business. In the third chapter -- "The First Customer" -- Hepzibah encounters her first customer. By the close of the fourth, "A Day Behind The Counter," readers find themselves on the book's 56th page, almost one - fifth of the book, and still passing the time unproductively with Hepzibah in the shop on its opening day. Unfortunately, Hepzibah's protracted confrontation with reality is the strongest part of the book, Hepzibah being by far the most distinctive of the characters in its pages. But Hepzibah soon fades into the background, taking away with her what little drama exists; none follows. In a later chapter, Hawthorne spends 6,352 words coyly conveying to the reader that an apparently sleeping man is not sleeping, but dead, something the reader has already guessed after completing the first of the many hammering paragraphs to follow. Winded passages like "You hear the ticking of his watch; his breath you do not hear. A most refreshing slumber, doubtless! And yet he cannot be asleep. His eyes are open!" and "An infinite, inscrutable blackness has annihilated sight! Where is our universe? All crumbled away from us; and we, adrift in chaos, may hearken to the gusts of homeless wind, that go sighing and murmuring about, in a quest for what was once a world!" abound. Hawthorne was fond of exclamation points and short of self - discipline. It could be argued that Hawthorne was simply layering his prose with multiple crosshatches of irony, sarcasm, and satire, but, if so, Hawthorne, here already a king with no clothes, only doubly underscores his shortcomings as a prose stylist. Readers of Hawthorne's third novel, the punishing The Blithedale Romance (1952), or his short stories 'My Kinsman, Major Molineux' and 'The May - Pole of Merrymount' know how willfully vague and turgid Hawthorne's work can be. His reputation today is probably some combination of accident of birth, proximity to high society, uncritical alliance to literary tradition, and the fact that his suffering prose style is interpreted by the pretentious or uneducated as evidence of highbrow genius. In truth, Hawthorne simply did not prove himself a very good writer in most of his work, regardless of the grandiosity of his themes or their genuine relevance to American history. In an often reprinted essay, Hawthorne scholar Newton Arvin argued that Hawthorne's dominant theme was the 'prideful sin' of "cultivating the intellect at the expense of the sympathies," a phenomena which is generally understood to have been particularly commonplace in Puritan-rooted New England. However, Alvin, who clearly empathizes with Hawthorne on this point, fails to acknowledge that sympathy for others, whether sincere or unconsciously affected, can as readily become a source of 'sinful' pride as the intellect or any other human capacity. Hawthorne, whose best work is found in his simply written short works such as 'Feathertop: A Moralized Legend' and 'Young Goodman Brown,' in addition to his two books for children, A Wonder Book and Tanglewood Tales, was an intelligent man of strong emotion, and it was there, in his dominant feeling function, that he understandably forged his creative work. Those seriously pursuing a study of general Americana, American literature, or the history of New England should read the House of the Seven Gables, and perhaps visit the lovely site of the actual house in Salem, Massachusetts. For everyone else except the masochistically curious, the novel is unessential reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring
Review: Now, I know Nathaniel Hawthorne is a classic American writer, but this book was just terrible! I can see how this was considered a classic during his time, but now.... I have never heard of, seen, or read a book that was this descriptive. The author would just all of the sudden start describing something that had absolutely nothing to do with the plot. This description would go on for at least a page or two. There were maybe three major things that happened in this book. The rest was just in detail descriptions of people, places, and things. I do admit, he gives a good background on the story, but that is about all that's good about this book. I read this book only because I was required to, and I would have to say to anybody who was interested in this book for just pleasure, please, don't waste your time.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for the feeble minded
Review: People who are patient enough to appreciate the writer's craft, educated enough to understand the significance of those pesky things called words, worldly enough to know that life beyond the television set exists will enjoy Hawthorne's best novel in its original form. For others, simplified versions are available.
Rating:
Summary: An exciting book for people who have cobwebs on their bodies
Review: Reviews that don't applaud the joys of reading a celebrated classic are bound to be met with unhelpful votes by the books most voracious fans. But I made my way through the House of the Seven Gables and think I should give my honest opinion. I read this when I was a voracious reader and was plowing through a book every two or three days. I made a point of making every third book I read a piece of classic literature. Without much exception I could really see why these books were classics. They resonate with meaning even today. This slender tome was one of the most dry, difficult and unstimulating books I recall reading during that time period. In spite of its modest size it took me more than a week to finish. Just when it would start getting interesting it would turn deadly dull. The language is the dry pretentious sort that leaves you feeling like you just swallowed the dust off the books in a thousand libraries. The book is all descriptive of the pervasive spirit that indwells the house as a result of its operatic history. The characters that dwell in the house are merely furniture for the house with little backstories of their own. But mostly they are there to set a mood. Little of interest happens in the book. It is a book about language and mood. Call me pedestrian but House of the Seven Gables could have made its point more interestingly if written by Count Floyd on SCTV. Look boys and girls...this house here is scary. It will scare the pants off you. Look at that picture on the wall with the frame. I bet your hair is turning white. Whooo. I am frightened just thinking about it. Hooowwwwlllll. House of Seven Gables inspires me to write a hundred seventy page book describing indepth the decay of my last television set. I am going overboard but this is a book ideal for people who like Hawthorne. If you like spending time decyphering meanings from carefully chosen words you may greatly enjoy this book. I know it wouldn't be considered a classic if there weren't great depths of meaning to be plumbed from it.
Rating: 
Summary: Not his greatest work...
Review: The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne is considered one of his greatest novels, (According to Henry James) is based on a true story within Hawthorne's own family line. While the book may sound appealing, it is actually quite boorish with a poor climax, and a tiresome storyline.
The story starts out with a 30 page introduction about a Colonel who wants to expand his house, but his neighbor's property seems to be in the way. So he frames a plot against the man and calls him a witch, he gets hanged and the Colonel gets the poor framed man's land. However on the scaffold he places a curse on the Colonel and his future generations. The Colonel then gets the son of the man who cursed him to build his house. On the day that the house is finished the Colonel dies. Thus, we are taken to an old maid who has never worked in her life is now forced to set up a shop within the house. The drudgery continues from there.
Some interesting points within the book are how Hawthorne has a much different writing style in this book. He often makes comments to the reader criticizing his characters; most of these comments are quite comical. I did enjoy how he developed his characters even though it seemed he lost interest in some toward the end of the book.
Overall, the book had some up points and some down points, but overall it had many more down points than anything else. I wouldn't recommend this book unless you're a huge fan of Nathaniel Hawthorne, and even then, I enjoyed The Scarlet Letter much better.
Rating:
Summary: HAWTHORNE'S GREATEST
Review: The House of the Seven Gables is a wonderful visionary tale of 19th Century America. The death of Judge Pyncheon, considered a tour-de-force back when it was written, is still a powerful, bitter commentary on the vain pursuit of wealth and influence. Hepzibah Pyncheon is one of th e most lovable characters in our literature; her climatic train ride, with brother Clifford, is a fascinating ride into the future.
Rating:
Summary: This Was A Very Interesting Historical Novel!
Review: The House of the Seven Gables was a very intersting book, full of suspense, surprises, and even a little humor. Here is the basic plot: The story starts in 1692, when a man named Matthew Maule is hung for witchcraft by a vicious member of the Pyncheon family. Before he dies, though, Matthew screams, "God will give him blood to drink!" After the death of Maule, his property is acquired by the same Pyncheon who saw him to the gallows. This Pyncheon dies mysteriously at his house-warming party, and the curse of Maule sticks with the Pyncheons. The previously mentioned Pyncheon had a house(incidentally, with seven gables), which was eventually possessed by the main character, Hepzibah Pyncheon. Hepzibah must set up a cent shop to buy her bread, and her main customer is a hungry, gingerbread-purchasing little boy. Her load lightens with the arrival of her young cousin, Phoebe, but the plot thickens when Hepzibah's brother Clifford comes to stay. Her other cousin, the vile Judge Pyncheon, acts very oddly toward Clifford from the moment Clifford arrives. I won't tell you how the book ends, but I sure liked it, and I feel it proves that the evils of a family can be thwarted by a few members.
Rating: 
Summary: the never ending nightmare
Review: The Never-Ending Nightmare The mood of Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables is dark, and painstakingly creepy and slow. The story centers around the murders of two men, centuries ago, the curse that was placed upon the house as a result of that conflict, and the repercussions to the current generation. The overall story is like that of a nightmare of total and complete oppressive darkness. Not so much the fright that results from images of goblins and monsters, but that feeling of being scared of the dark; not because of what is there, but because of what you don't know is there. Hawthorne sets this mood by describing the events that triggered the curse placed upon the Pyncheon mansion in the very first chapter, but never reveals more than a piece of the motivations and consequences at a time, throughout the remainder of the story. The descriptions of the house deteriorating throughout the years covered in the book establishes the sensation of the endless nightmare -- that despite mortal man, the house remains as it was from the day it was erected and only the outward appearance changes. . In fact, as the story centralizes around the curse placed upon the house, it is almost the main attraction of the story, the other characters only playing supporting roles to show the potency of the dark power that the house holds on members of the Pyncheon dynasty. Because Hawthorne gives the house human characteristics, `So much of mankind's varied experience had passed there -- so much had been suffered, and something too enjoyed -- that the very timbers were oozy, as with the moisture of a heart. It was itself like a great human heat, with a life of it's own, and full of rich and somber reminiscences,' you feel as if the house holds deep resentment for its residents and that it is contemplating its next attempt at haunting for the entertainment of seeing them hide underneath their bed covers. And that, with each creak and groan of the old estate, the wizards death is warranted by the enjoyment that is gained from each chill and shiver of the residents, and the curse that `God will give them blood to drink' was premeditated merely for the old houses enjoyment. The very construction of the house itself portrays the feeling that, even though you don't know what exactly you have done wrong, or pretend to not know, the house can see through your transparent shell, right to the core of your sin. `The deep projection of the second story gave the house such a meditative look that you could not pass it without the idea that it had secrets to keep, and an eventful history to moralize upon.' All in all, the house is the centralizing character that creates the mood of darkness, suspense and revenge. This mood helps to portray the underlying moral of the story of how our actions have consequences. Colonel Pyncheon, because of his incredible covetousness in desiring Matthew Maule's acreage and his participation in putting all assumed wizards to death, placed a curse upon all future Pyncheons. The permanence of the house and the creepiness that it is, shoes that what we do will affect our posterity, and that even though we ourselves may no longer be haunted by our actions in this earthly realm, their our repercussions to those who proceed us. And just as God did give Maule's Blood for them to drink throughout the generations and his death was rectified by their suffering by the house, so we too are responsible for our sins and they will continue to haunt us and our families, just as the Pyncheon mansion, for generations to come.
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece for the patient
Review: The story of "The House of Seven Gables" begins in the midst of Puritan New England (which Hawthorne paints characteristically, and forgiveably, quite bleak) with the fantastic tale of a severe dispute between stern Colonel Pyncheon and alleged wizard Matthew Maule over a piece of land. Maule is conveniently executed (while cursing Pyncheon) for his "crimes", and Pyncheon builds Seven Gables on the aforesaid land. Several years later, the colonel dies suddenly, supposedly the mark of Maule's curse, which is to forever haunt the Pyncheon mansion. Several generations of Pyncheons come and go, and the family decays and whithers until it can boast only four remaining members, two of which are old and frail. But one, a Judge Pyncheon, rotten under his trim exterior, is up to unsurfaced mischief. The story tends to move slowly (much of the meat of the plot is not encountered until nearly half-way through!), but every word bears weight. Hawthorne weaves his story in such a way that every moment spent getting to know the characters is crucial. Neither is the slow development boring: far from it! Relax, enjoy the pace, and allow yourself to feast on Hawthorne's brilliant prose. As Henry James once stated, "The House of Seven Gables" is "the closest approach we are likely to have to the Great American Novel."
Rating:
Summary: This book has its faults, but it is very readable.
Review: This book had a pretty good plot. The only thing that I didn't like about it was that it seemed so incredibly negative and depressing. I tend to not like depressing books. Although, my view might be slightly warped since I was about 12 when I first read it. Hawthorne certainly had some interesting ideas. I can understand, though, the view that he came from. I mean, if my great-great grandfather condemed innocent women to death in the tragic Salem Witch Trials, I would be slightly negative, too. No wonder he changed his name. This book was very readable. I liked the description. I enjoyed the book a great deal.
|
