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3.2 AVERAGE
3.2 AVERAGE
Ora, come resistere al fascino di un bel drammone ottocentesco, raccontato con una buona dose di arguzia, romanticismo e ironia insieme, a cui si aggiunge, ciliegina sulla torta, il più lieto dei lieti finali? Certo se non amiamo le descrizioni potremmo trovare qualche difficoltà ad apprezzare questo bel romanzo, che di descrizioni ne ha in abbondanza! E che descrizioni! Descrizioni lunghissime e particolareggiatissime di tutto e tutti; persone, paesaggi, canzoni, animali, fiori e verdure, ambienti, complementi d'arredo, vetture, panorami ed eventi meteorologici, niente sfugge alla vena descrittiva dell'autore che, in mezzo alle maglie di questo mondo pieno di immagini che crea con le parole, infila gli eventi che costituiscono la storia. Ma...io amo le descrizioni, e queste nascono dalla penna di un maestro! Certo la storia non è niente di particolarmente originale, e i suoi protagonisti non compiono chissà quali gesta, anzi, non ne compiono affatto, ma, nel bene o nel male toccano i nostri cuori con le loro peripezie e non possiamo fare a meno di affezionarci a loro e a tutte le loro debolezze e di provare tenerezza per la loro inettitudine. Naturalmente questo romanzo nelle intenzioni dell'autore aveva un fine particolare, cioè riuscire a collegare passato e futuro dimostrando che le azioni degli uomini si ripercuotono sulle vite dei loro discendenti, scopo a mio parere pienamente raggiunto. Detto questo, felice di aver parlato del romanzo senza menzionarne la trama, mi accorgo con disappunto di averne svelato il finale nelle prime righe. Vuol dire che metterò avviso di spoiler 😬🤦♀️
Persons who have wandered, or been expelled, out of the common track of things, even were it for a better system, desire nothing so much as to be led back. They shiver in their loneliness, be it on a mountain-top or in a dungeon.
It is very singular, how the fact of a man's death often seems to give people a truer idea of his character, whether for good or evil, than they have ever possessed while he was living and acting among them.
It is very singular, how the fact of a man's death often seems to give people a truer idea of his character, whether for good or evil, than they have ever possessed while he was living and acting among them.
I love an old house and unreliable narrator trope but this left much to be desired. I felt as though Hawthorn could have fleshed out more of the story towards the end. Particularly the “romance” within his self proclaimed romance novel. My dissatisfaction may have also been influenced by having too high of expectations.
I was suppose to read this my junior year of high school for a project. I didn't read it. I got an F on the project. I figured 7 years or so later it was time to get it read.
The whole scene where Pyncheon bites it, all I could think of is how Hawthorne is like a cat playing with its food before it gobbles it up.
The whole scene where Pyncheon bites it, all I could think of is how Hawthorne is like a cat playing with its food before it gobbles it up.
Did not enjoy the overly flowery language. Hawthorne takes way too long to get to the point. The plot is basically nonexistent, events happen but there’s such a thin thread between them it’s hard to call it a plot. More like a series of linked vignettes. Characters have barely any, if that, development. Definitely did not enjoy.
Oh yes can see why this would bore some people who like fast action and thrills...but apart from a odd repetitive passage,very few indeed found this totally absorbing....the first chapter is the most unfriendly but you do need to understand the past to understand the story fully.
The long passages about the poultry,flowers and atomsphere in the house that others despised I delighted in...and the characters are superb and come alive.Poor old Hepizbah ,many will not understand her perhaps but my goodness I can sympathize with her and tell you that the description of her feelings are spot on. Romantic,spooky,funny,puzzling, wrenchingly sad and melancholy and finally happy by turns.
I am amazed as
I hated The Blythdale Romance ,the only other NH I have read!
The long passages about the poultry,flowers and atomsphere in the house that others despised I delighted in...and the characters are superb and come alive.Poor old Hepizbah ,many will not understand her perhaps but my goodness I can sympathize with her and tell you that the description of her feelings are spot on. Romantic,spooky,funny,puzzling, wrenchingly sad and melancholy and finally happy by turns.
I am amazed as
I hated The Blythdale Romance ,the only other NH I have read!
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Less than 300 pages, I thought I would zip right through, but No. A REALLY slow burn, lots and lots of words. You have to be in the right mood for this one! Perfect if you love a dark mystery with lots of detail and side stories. The last chapter made me glad I stuck it out, all loose ends tied up.
2.5 stars, really. The narrator drones on through most of the book. The two stories about the history of the family as well as the ending of the book were the best parts. But I don't know that it was worth climbing through the rest to get there.