Gr 9 UpHawthorne's tale about the brooding hold of the past over the present is a complex one, twisting and turning its way back through many generations of a venerable New England family, one of whose members was accused of witchcraft in 17th century Salem. More than 200 years later, we meet the family in its decaying, gabled mansion, still haunted by the presence of dead ancestors: Hepzibah, an elderly gentlewoman fallen on had times; her ineffectual brother, Clifford; and young Phoebe, a country maiden who cheerfully takes it upon herself to care for her two doddering relations. There's also Holgrave, a free-spirited daguerreotypist, who makes a surprising transformation into conventional respectability at the story's end. These people seem to be symbols for Hawthorne's theme more than full-bodied characters in their own right. As such, it can only be difficult for today's young adults to identify with them, especially since they are so caught up in a past that is all but unknown to present day sensibilities. Talented Joan Allen, twice nominated for Academy Awards, reads the tale in a clear, luminous voice. Because she has chosen not to do voices, however, it is sometimes difficult to tell which character is speaking. Still, she is more than equal to the task of handling Hawthorne's stately prose in a presentation that will be a good curriculum support for students of Hawthorne or those seeking special insight into this work of fiction.Carol Katz, Harrison Library, NY
`The House of the Seven Gables' is a Gothic novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, published in 1851, which deals with a New England family and their ancestral home. The setting was inspired by a gabled house in Salem, Massachusetts, which belonged to ancestors of Hawthorne who had played a part in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The novel is set in the 19th century, while flashbacks to the history of the house occur throughout the tale. The house of the title is a gloomy mansion, haunted from the beginning by fraudulent dealings, accusations of witchcraft and sudden death. The narrative explores themes of guilt, retribution, and atonement, and is flavored by suggestions of the supernatural. The story begins with Hepzibah Pyncheon opening a shop in a side room, and the arrival of the vivacious Phoebe who soon turns it into a success. `The House of the Seven Gables' has been adapted several times for film and television.
`The House of the Seven Gables' is a Gothic novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, published in 1851, which deals with a New England family and their ancestral home. The setting was inspired by a gabled house in Salem, Massachusetts, which belonged to ancestors of Hawthorne who had played a part in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The novel is set in the 19th century, while flashbacks to the history of the house occur throughout the tale. The house of the title is a gloomy mansion, haunted from the beginning by fraudulent dealings, accusations of witchcraft and sudden death. The narrative explores themes of guilt, retribution, and atonement, and is flavored by suggestions of the supernatural. The story begins with Hepzibah Pyncheon opening a shop in a side room, and the arrival of the vivacious Phoebe who soon turns it into a success. `The House of the Seven Gables' has been adapted several times for film and television.
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The House of the Seven Gables
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The House of the Seven Gables
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Product Details
BN ID: | 2940178606827 |
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Publisher: | Yashiki Audio |
Publication date: | 09/10/2019 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |
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