The Nineteenth Century American Fiction: Hawthorne, “The House of the Seven Gables” and Its Reception: A Brief Overview

Abstract

Critics have always been interested in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s literary oeuvre but that interest has varied over different periods of time. Nevertheless, we can claim that his books have always enjoyed a rousing reception. This paper discusses Nathaniel Hawthorne’s famous romance The House of the Seven Gables and its reception from the time of its publication, 1851, to the present day. We will focus our attention on the essential features of the book that were commented on and reviewed by the most influential critics who dealt with Hawthorne’s text.