Wednesday 21 May 2014

Sofa Spotlight - The House of the Seven Gables, Nathaniel Hawthorne

What's it About?

This is about a feud between the Pyncheon family and the Maule family, that goes on for a couple of centuries. The Pyncheon family uses some underhand methods to get hold of the property that belongs to the Maule family. The patriarch of the Maule family isn't too pleased and puts a curse on the Pyncheon family. The story follows the last surviving members of the Pyncheon family, who are not grasping, like the previous members of the family. They have fallen on hard times and it seems that they are about to be crushed, but you never know what might happen.

What was Good?

The plot is gripping. There are spooky moments and mysteries to be solved. It makes you want to keep reading to find out what is going on, and if the Pyncheon family will ever be free from the Maule curse.

What was Bad?

Hawthorne loves to commentate on what is going on. He spends whole chapters giving his opinion on what is happening, which we could probably do without.

Who is it for?

Anyone who enjoys American literature, or a good, spooky story, but you need to be prepared to contend with Hawthorne's commentary.




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