A review by gengelcox
The Prophetic Pictures by Nathaniel Hawthorne

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

The premise is much more interesting than Hawthorne’s execution. A painter visits America, creating a small social storm in that he’s willing to paint anybody but only those whom he sees something in that makes his art worthwhile. Many people apply, but only few are chosen. A married couple sit for him and the resulting paintings worry them—there’s something dark in the man’s complexion and fear or horror in the woman’s. Yes, the title gives it away, as does Hawthorne’s heavy hand, making the ending quite anti-climatic.