4.3 (591 ratings)

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

Name: The House of the Seven Gables (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)
Rating: 4.3 (591 reviews)
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
ISBN: 0486408825

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

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About this book

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A gloomy New England mansion provides the setting for this classic exploration of ancestral guilt and its expiation through the love and goodwill of succeeding generations.

Nathaniel Hawthorne drew inspiration for this story of an immorally obtained property from the role his forebears played in the 17th-century Salem witch trials. Built over an unquiet grave, the House of the Seven Gables carries a dying man's curse that blights the lives of its residents for over two centuries. Now Judge Jaffrey Pyncheon, an iron-hearted hypocrite and intellectual heir to the mansion's unscrupulous founder, is attempting to railroad a pair of his elderly relatives out of the house. Only two young people stand in his way — a visiting country cousin and an enigmatic boarder skilled in mesmerism.

Hawthorne envisioned this family drama of evil, revenge, and resolution as a microcosm of Salem's own history as in idealistic society corrupted by greed and pride. His enduring view of the darkness at the heart of the national soul has made The House of the Seven Gables a landmark of American literature.

Publication Date: May 25, 2026
ASIN: 0486408825

Reader Reviews

Perfect Novel

September 16, 2025

The Scarlet Letter used to be my favorite Hawthorne book, but this surpasses it by and far! Gothic romance, but not the mushy or spicy romance. This is a classic work of literature for a reason and you need to read it! Beautiful descriptions of people, places, and things. What he can say in two sentences most people could never master in a life of writing. You will want to watch the movie after, to compare, and if in Salem, visit the house. ) One person found this helpful

Just beginning it...

June 26, 2024

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. ) 2 people found this helpful

A Gothic Vision of an Old Family Secret

March 22, 2012

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...

Challenging Vocabulary.

May 11, 2014

Interesting story, great prose style and a challenging vocabulary. Be prepared to look up some words. Not for beginning readers. Amazon says readers 11 and up, 6th grade level. I think that is much too low, this is advance reading. ) 2 people found this helpful

Worth the read so far

September 6, 2016

Purchased for our daughters AP Lit course - it has great use of vocabulary and type is large enough to annotate side margins. Message if you have specific questions about story line as she has not completed reading as of yet... ) One person found this helpful