Experience a haunting tale of love and revenge during the Revolutionary War in 'Septimius Felton'. The story follows the journey of a scholarly man, Septimius Felton, who becomes consumed by his quest for immortality after a British officer insults his beloved fiancée. When he murders the officer, he finds himself at the burial site confronted by an otherworldly creature named Sybil Dacy, who is in search of a fabled flower that grows from the graves of the unjustly killed. Fate brings these two tortured souls together, and as it turns out, the officer had left Septimius an ancient manuscript that holds the formula for an elixir of life. The recipe, however, calls for the juice of the very flower Sybil is seeking, setting off a chain of events that will alter their lives forever. This gripping novel is a tale of love, revenge, and the desire for eternal life that will keep readers captivated until the very end.

One of Nathaniel Hawthorne's later works, Septimius Felton is a beguiling and thought-provoking tale of murder most foul. One of a series of the author's works that grapple with themes of immortality, Septimius Felton was written shortly before Hawthorne himself succumbed to a mysterious illness, a fact that lends a dimension of profound poignancy to the story.

Enter the mysterious world of "Septimius Felton" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, a captivating exploration of love, destiny, and the search for truth. Embark on a journey through the enigmatic mind of Septimius Felton, a young man haunted by the secrets of his past and the mysteries of his future. Set against the backdrop of colonial New England, Hawthorne's masterful storytelling weaves a tapestry of intrigue and suspense, drawing readers into a world of hidden desires and forbidden knowledge. Themes of fate, ambition, and the quest for transcendence permeate the narrative, inviting readers to ponder the eternal mysteries of existence and the limits of human understanding. As Septimius grapples with his own inner demons and external forces, Hawthorne's rich prose illuminates the complexities of the human psyche and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Character analysis delves into the psyche of Septimius Felton, a complex protagonist torn between the demands of society and the dictates of his own heart. Through Hawthorne's nuanced portrayal, readers are invited to empathize with Septimius's struggles and aspirations, as he navigates the treacherous waters of love, loyalty, and self-discovery. The overall tone and mood of the book are one of mystery and suspense, as Hawthorne's atmospheric prose conjures a sense of foreboding and uncertainty. From the shadowy streets of colonial Boston to the haunting forests of rural Massachusetts, "Septimius Felton" immerses readers in a world where reality blurs with fantasy, and the boundaries between past and present are indistinguishable. Critically acclaimed for its psychological depth and philosophical insight, "Septimius Felton" has earned praise from readers and critics alike for its exploration of timeless themes and its masterful evocation of atmosphere. Its enduring relevance and literary merit make it a must-read for anyone seeking to delve into the dark recesses of the human soul. Whether you're a fan of Hawthorne's classic works or discovering his writing for the first time, "Septimius Felton" promises to captivate and intrigue. Join Septimius on his quest for truth and meaning, and discover why Nathaniel Hawthorne remains one of America's most revered literary figures. Don't miss your chance to unravel the mysteries of "Septimius Felton" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Order your copy today and embark on a journey of discovery and enlightenment that will linger in your mind long after the final page is turned.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1882.

Handsome, reserved, almost frighteningly aloof until he was approached, then playful, cordial, Nathaniel Hawthorne was as mercurial and double-edged as his writing. “Deep as Dante,” Herman Melville said. Hawthorne himself declared that he was not “one of those supremely hospitable people who serve up their own hearts, delicately fried, with brain sauce, as a tidbit” for the public. Yet those who knew him best often took the opposite position. “He always puts himself in his books,” said his sister-in-law Mary Mann, “he cannot help it.” His life, like his work, was extraordinary, a play of light and shadow. In this major new biography of Hawthorne, the first in more than a decade, Brenda Wineapple, acclaimed biographer of Janet Flanner and Gertrude and Leo Stein (“Luminous”–Richard Howard), brings him brilliantly alive: an exquisite writer who shoveled dung in an attempt to found a new utopia at Brook Farm and then excoriated the community (or his attraction to it) in caustic satire; the confidant of Franklin Pierce, fourteenth president of the United States and arguably one of its worst; friend to Emerson and Thoreau and Melville who, unlike them, made fun of Abraham Lincoln and who, also unlike them, wrote compellingly of women, deeply identifying with them–he was the first major American writer to create erotic female characters. Those vibrant, independent women continue to haunt the imagination, although Hawthorne often punishes, humiliates, or kills them, as if exorcising that which enthralls. Here is the man rooted in Salem, Massachusetts, of an old pre-Revolutionary family, reared partly in the wilds of western Maine, then schooled along with Longfellow at Bowdoin College. Here are his idyllic marriage to the youngest and prettiest of the Peabody sisters and his longtime friendships, including with Margaret Fuller, the notorious feminist writer and intellectual. Here too is Hawthorne at the end of his days, revered as a genius, but considered as well to be an embarrassing puzzle by the Boston intelligentsia, isolated by fiercely held political loyalties that placed him against the Civil War and the currents of his time. Brenda Wineapple navigates the high tides and chill undercurrents of Hawthorne’s fascinating life and work with clarity, nuance, and insight. The novels and tales, the incidental writings, travel notes and children’s books, letters and diaries reverberate in this biography, which both charts and protects the dark unknowable core that is quintessentially Hawthorne. In him, the quest of his generation for an authentically American voice bears disquieting fruit.

Writing beyond Prophecy offers a new interpretation of the American Renaissance by drawing attention to a cluster of later, rarely studied works by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Herman Melville. Identifying a line of writing from Emerson's Conduct of Life to Hawthorne's posthumously published Elixir of Life manuscript to Melville's Clarel: A Poem and Pilgrimage in the Holy Land, Martin Kevorkian demonstrates how these authors wrestled with their vocational calling. Early in their careers, these three authors positioned their literary pursuits as an alternative to the ministry. By presenting a "new revelation" and a new set of "gospels" for the nineteenth century, they sought to usurp the authority of the pulpit. Later in life, each writer came to recognize the audacity of his earlier work, creating what Kevorkian characterizes as a literary aftermath. Strikingly, each author later wrote about the character of a young divinity student torn by a crisis of faith and vocation. Writing beyond Prophecy gives a distinctive shape to the late careers of Emerson, Hawthorne, and Melville and offers a cohesive account of the lingering religious devotion left in the wake of American Romanticism.

Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Complete Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne (Illustrated Edition)' is a literary masterpiece that showcases the author's unique style and profound exploration of themes such as sin, guilt, and the complexities of human nature. The collection includes renowned works such as 'The Scarlet Letter' and 'The House of the Seven Gables', which exemplify Hawthorne's use of symbolism and allegory in portraying the psychological and moral struggles of his characters. With its rich prose and intricate narratives, this illustrated edition offers readers a comprehensive insight into Hawthorne's contribution to American literature during the Romantic period. Nathaniel Hawthorne, a prominent figure in American literature, drew inspiration from his Puritan heritage and historical events to craft stories that delve deep into the human psyche. His keen observation of society and keen insight into the human condition are reflected in his body of work, making him a quintessential American author. I highly recommend 'The Complete Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne' to readers who appreciate profound storytelling and intricate character development. This collection is a timeless exploration of universal themes that continue to resonate with audiences today.