The first major Hawthorne biography to be published in two decades,
featuring original scholarship on both unpublished and published
sources
The Life of the Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne presents a rich and
nuanced portrait of one of America's greatest writers, exploring the
thoughts and ideas of a man whose profound insights about the human
condition continue to resonate in the modern day. Accessible to those
with little knowledge of Hawthorne, this unique volume uses a new
biographical approach based on exhaustive primary research that provides
readers with a better understanding of the artist and his work.
Author Dale Salwak challenges the presumption that Hawthorne was a
reclusive, eccentric, and alienated man whose relevance to modern times
is diminishing. Drawing from his forty-five years' experience reading,
studying, and teaching Hawthorne, the author reveals a more approachable
Hawthorne. In-depth and reflective chapters explore topics such as the
circumstances that led Hawthorne to become a writer, the influence of
Sophia Hawthorne on her husband's work, the theory of the unfulfilled
homoerotic relationship between Hawthorne and Herman Melville, and more.
- Offers a fresh reading of Hawthorne's life and work from birth to
death
- Provides new perspectives on Hawthorne and stories surrounding his
work
- Draws from a wide variety of sources, including novels, tales,
children's books, notebooks, and personal letters to and from
Hawthorne
- Suggests new strategies for teaching Hawthorne to today's students
- Includes a detailed index and comprehensive introductory and
concluding chapters
Highlighting Hawthorne's special contributions to American literature,
The Life of the Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne is essential reading for
scholars, lecturers, and college students taking courses including
Literary History, American Literature, and History of the Novel as well
as anyone interested in biography, literature, and creativity
