Nathaniel Hawthorne's Tales

This Norton Critical Edition of 21 of Hawthorne'stales and sketches (arranged chronologically accordingto date of publication -- from "My Kinsman, MajorMolineux" [1831] to "Feathertop: A Moralized Legend"[1852]) is a truly wonderful anthology. But the editor,James McIntosh, in the excellent Norton CriticalEditions manner, has also included the major "Prefaces"from Hawthorne's collections of tales ("The OldManse"-- from _Mosses from an Old Manse_ [1846];"Preface to the 1851 Edition of _Twice-told Tales_";and "Preface to _The Snow-Image_), as well asLetters, excerpts from Hawthorne's notebooks, and finally, an excellent series of critical essays,extending from Hawthorne's own time up to 1980[among these is a full inclusion of Herman Melville'swondrous essay of praise and idolatry, "Hawthorneand His Mosses" -- first published in _LiteraryWorld_ on 17 and 14 August 1850.]. Even though one might have one's own reasons forhaving bias against Hawthorne the man, still thequality of literacy and the insight into humanpsychology and feelings is of such an exceptionalartistic and genius sort that one must leave thosequalifiers outside the temple when one comes insideto ponder and meditate upon the spirit and wisdomof this artist. The best words in speaking of him, of honoring him,perhaps come from himself and from others who knewhim and read him and were influenced, in whatever way,by him. * * * * * * * * * "Lightly as I have spoken of these old books, thereyet lingers with me a superstitious reverence forliterature of all kinds. A bound volume has a charmin my eyes, similar to what scraps of manuscript possess,for the Mussulman. He imagines, that those wind-waftedrecords are perhaps hallowed by some sacred verse; and I,that every new book, or antique one, may contain the 'Open Sesame' -- the spell to disclose treasures,hidden in some unsuspected cave of Truth." --Nathaniel Hawthorne; "The Old Manse." * * * * * * * * * "When a new star rises in the heavens, people gaze after it for a season with the naked eye, and with suchtelescopes as they may find. In the stream of thought,which flows so peacefully deep and clear, through thepages of this book, we see the bright reflection of a spiritual star, after which men will be fain to gaze'with the naked eye, and with the spy-glasses ofcriticism.' The star is but newly risen; and ere longthe observations of numerous star-gazers, perched upon arm-chairs and editors' tables, will inform theworld of the magnitude and its place in the heaven of poetry, whether it be in the paw of the Great Bear, oron the forehead of Pegasus, or on the strings of the Lyre, or in the wings of the Eagle. [from Nortonfootnote: Constellations, here representing -- roughpower, dynamic inspiration, musical grace, loftymajesty.] --Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; from an unsigned review of _Twice-Told Tales_, 1837.* * * * * * * * * "No man can read a fine author, and relish him to his very bones, while he reads, without subsequent

This is very well edited and prepared collection of Hawthorne's tales. It has everything what a critical edition needs. But the real value of this book are, of course, Hawthorne's tales themselves. For a long time Hawthorne was almost forgotten author, forgotten for common readers I mean, and he was only a name from literary history. But he did not deserve that. His place is among his readers. His tales are among the finest allegories ever written. "Wakefield" is maybe the only real predeccesors of Kafka's works. "Young Goodman Brown" reminds of "Twilight Zone". Hawthorne's tales are great and exceptionally and surprisingly modern.