The House of the Seven Gables (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

I’ve just begun reading this, it’s densely but clearly written, “old fashioned” in its convolution, interesting, and well worth the focus required for it.

I became interested in this novel when my wife learned that she is a direct relative of the man who owned the house which inspired Hawthorne to write this book.I was not disappointed with the novel and I quite enjoyed the dark and mysterious tone to it. Perhaps the modern reader won't have the patience to wade through Hawthorne's meandering prose. I admit that this book takes patience but look beyond and you'll recogize the beautiful elements that make it a classic in American literature. In a historical context, his writing is crisp and evocative as he hangs on to the romantic elements in literature. I realized while reading the book that the enjoyment is not to race to the end and see what happens but rather to enjoy the flowery prose and sensorial descriptions. The story is quite simple but involves multiple generations of a family doomed by a suspicious curse flung at them by the disguntled landowner of the plot on which the famous house with the seven gables was built. The "Deus ex machina" ending seems hokey to modern readers but in 19th century literature was virtually expected and highly appreciated. If you're willing to take the time to appreciate this novel, then I recommend it to you.

Great book, quality for price.

My daughter lost her copy she’d had since grade school she was devastated so I surprised her with another

I wanted to read The House of Seven Gables before our planned visit to Salem this summer. It was a tedious reading for me and a bit rambling. I’m hoping the house tour explains things the book was somewhat vague on.

This is a wonderful book and one of my favorites. The evils of greed are a message for our times. I sometimes think of the impoverished Hepzibah asking the elderly, wealthy Judge why he needed more money. Just like politicians and the super wealthy who never seem to have enough while so many suffer.

A brilliant take on humanity. Character studies and words used opened up the heart of the story. Unique and fascinating

I had gone too the house of seven gables and decided to buy the book on amazon as it was cheaper. In the beginning of the book it has a lot of big words but stick with it. But stick with it. It gets better. Aroundpage 125 too 128 is a surprise too it.