Let's clear something up right away: this isn't a novel. Nathaniel Hawthorne by Nathaniel Hawthorne is exactly what the title promises—the author turning his sharp, observant eye on his own life. Written late in his career, it's his personal look back at the path that led him to write The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables.

The Story

Hawthorne starts with his early years in Salem, Massachusetts, a place haunted by its history, including his own ancestor's role in the witch trials. He describes a lonely, bookish childhood and his time at Bowdoin College, where he befriended future president Franklin Pierce. The heart of the book follows his "twelve lonely years" after college, holed up in his mother's house, determined to become a writer but publishing almost nothing. He talks about working at the Salem Custom House (a job he found mind-numbing) and later at the Concord community Brook Farm, all while slowly crafting his early tales. He doesn't present his success as a grand triumph, but as a gradual, hard-won thing, full of false starts and quiet perseverance.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book special is its voice. Hawthorne isn't trying to build a legendary image of himself. He's reflective, often self-deprecating, and incredibly honest about the doubts and insecurities that plague a writer. You get to see the real person behind the famous name—the one who worried about money, felt out of place in social settings, and wondered if his work would ever find an audience. Reading this is less like studying history and more like listening to a wise, slightly melancholic friend share his story. It completely changes how you see his fiction. Suddenly, the themes of guilt, secrecy, and wrestling with the past in his novels feel deeply personal.

Final Verdict

This is a must-read for fans of Hawthorne's fiction who want to understand the man behind the stories. It's also perfect for anyone who loves writer's memoirs, American history, or simply a thoughtful, beautifully written piece of introspection. It's not a flashy page-turner, but a slow, rewarding conversation. If you appreciate quiet insight over dramatic action, you'll find a friend in these pages.