impla77's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
an interesting set up ruined by an incredibly copout ending.
bdonbanks's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ezravasq's review against another edition
4.0
Less moving than the Scarlet Letter, it's a good ghost yarn that reads quickly.
asullivan445's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rhondafuller's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
wwatts1734's review against another edition
3.0
The House of the Seven Gables is Nathanael Hawthorne's lesser known novel, taking a back seat to the "Scarlett Letter". Interestingly enough, the two novels are similar in many ways. Both of them feature events stemming from the Salem Witch Trials of the 17th Century. Both of the novels feature main characters who are women, fallen in some way, who carry the heavy burden of a society's pretentious morality. In the case of Hester Prynne in the "Scarlet Letter", her sin was adultery. In the case of Hepzibah Pyncheon in "The House of the Seven Gables", the sin was one of her distant ancestors who condemned a man to death in order to seize his land, upon which he built the family estate where Hepzibah lived her whole life. Both novels are dark, both are heavy, and neither one of them afford the reader with any lightheartedness or levity.
One thing that you have to understand about novels of the early 19th century is that, often, the authors are going for an effect that is different from that sought by modern novels. In modern novels, we often find an engaging plot or a fascinating background or interesting characters. In the early 19th century, the effect of the novel is often the mood. And the mood of "The House of the Seven Gables" is a deep depression. Characters languishing for years under the burden of prominent family name and a legacy that they really want nothing to do with certainly are not an inspiration to anyone. The background of the novel is interesting, but the actual substance of it falls far short.
For those of us who enjoy Romances, as this novel has been called by its author, and particularly for those readers who enjoy the Regency genre of novels or the works of the Bronte sisters, this novel would be interesting. For others, there are much better works out there!
One thing that you have to understand about novels of the early 19th century is that, often, the authors are going for an effect that is different from that sought by modern novels. In modern novels, we often find an engaging plot or a fascinating background or interesting characters. In the early 19th century, the effect of the novel is often the mood. And the mood of "The House of the Seven Gables" is a deep depression. Characters languishing for years under the burden of prominent family name and a legacy that they really want nothing to do with certainly are not an inspiration to anyone. The background of the novel is interesting, but the actual substance of it falls far short.
For those of us who enjoy Romances, as this novel has been called by its author, and particularly for those readers who enjoy the Regency genre of novels or the works of the Bronte sisters, this novel would be interesting. For others, there are much better works out there!
tigersmom's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0