Nathaniel Hawthorne Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Short Story Anthologies

Publication Order of Anthologies

Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American mystery and literary fiction author. Born in Massachusetts in 1804, Hawthorne published his first novel in 1828, and by the time he died in 1864, he had thousands of published works to his name. Many of his works were also published after his death. Hawthorne told stories about America’s colonial history and became a key figure in American literature development. His most outstanding works include The Scarlet Letter, Marble Faun, and The House of the Seven Gables.

The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter exposes America’s moral and historical roots and the great tragedy that accompanied it. Set in New England colony, this book shows how one passionate act affects three people’s lives. One is the defiant Hester Prynne, Chillingworth, and fiery Reverend Dimmesdale. Between 1642 and 1649, Hester conceives a daughter through an affair that earns her the wrath of the church and the entire community. While the disgraced woman tries to rebuild a life of dignity and repentance, it is sad that the people who should understand her reject her and brand her daughter an outcast. What these people fail to realize is no one is entirely pure. We all have our weaknesses, and the world would be a much better place if we all learned to love and respect each other.

Looking at this as a case of a self-fulfilling prophecy, it is disappointing that a young girl, just like her mother, is regarded as a sinner. Even though the accusation is unjust for the young girl, the fact that society considers her mother blasphemous, ungodly, and sinful reflects on her. Hester’s only misdoing is getting pregnant when not married. No one tries to consider her situation or at least hold the man responsible for the pregnancy accountable. The priests who preach water and drink wine are a completely different story. All is not gloom, and those romantic moments between Hester and her lover will move you to tears. Through Hester and other characters, the author explores human motives and innate desires.

This book explores humanity’s struggles with guilt, pride, and sin. It also carries a political message to the Prudes in early America. Through his writing, the author exposes the hypocrisy of the religious sect. Their actions are self-defeating, and it doesn’t make sense that these people preach doctrines that they cannot adhere to. While it is true that choices have consequences, unjustified damnation is just as bad, and it affects even the innocent. Once taken too far, religion can be damaging, and the characters in this book show this all too well. Christianity is based on repentance, forgiveness, and repentance, and it is sad that those who professed this faith ended up shaming and punishing those they considered sinners.

The Scarlet Letter is a historical fiction that is also regarded as Nathaniel Hawthorne’s masterwork. Hawthorne’s richness in language is outstanding, not to mention the intriguing symbolism. This book reads like a poem. It is easy to get lost in it once you appreciate the symbolism and all that is going on. While this is a challenging book to get into, it flourishes once you understand it making it a perfect choice if you are in the mood for an enlightening read.

The House of the Seven Gables
The House of the Seven Gables tells the story of one ruthless man and the way his actions affect a few generations in his household. In 1692, Salem’s witch hysteria led to killing many who were thought to be witches. Rev. Nathaniel Noyes was among the witch hunters who supported these senseless killings. When Sarah Good is about to be hanged as Nathaniel watches approvingly, she tells the Rev that he was just a witch as she was. She stated that if she was killed, God would give Nathaniel blood to drink. A few years later, Nathaniel suffered a throat aneurism, and just like Sarah told him, he died drinking his blood.
The author was born in Salem and lived there for most of his adult life. This story and others recorded by keepers of traditions in New England were passed down generations. The book opens with this scene even though the names and timelines are changed. We also get to learn that a few of Nathaniel’s kin died of throat aneurism depicting the issue of original sin being passed down generations. Contrary to his plans, Nathaniel never got to live in the seven-gabled mansion he built and was looking forward to occupying. Despite being a man of God, it is clear that Nathaniel’s actions were not pleasing to his maker. However, there are those in this family who are decent. These people manage to change the fate of this household and live a very fulfilling life.

Through Clifford, Phoebe, and Hephzibah, we get to see that we can make a choice between good and evil. In a family known for its greed and selfishness, these individuals choose good over evil and do not suffer the disease considered part of their inheritance. This is a message-driven story that will capture your attention from the first page. There is not much tension in it, but the pace stays consistent throughout. The author clearly shows what happens to evil people and those who hide behind religion to execute their greed. By choosing greed and judgment over forgives and what is right, Nathaniel attracts death in his family, and it is only through doing good that this curse is eliminated.

The House of the Seven Gables, just like the Scarlet Letter, addresses human guilt and the struggles we all experience when forced to choose between right and wrong. Hawthorne writes descriptively, and his work is a perfect blend of realism and fantasy. His 19th-century dictation may be a bit difficult for modern readers, but you will not regret the time you take to understand the vocabulary and the author’s writing style. This is yet another classic that will take you a few centuries back and teach you a thing or two about America’s past.