‘House of Hawthorne’: Historical fiction book gives women a voice

I feel very ignorant when it comes to knowledge about our most prolific and talented writers from history. Yes, I have heard of Thoreau, Hawthorne, Emerson and Melville, but didn't realize they were all friends. I didn't realize some lived in poverty, with depression, or had vast political connections. Nathaniel Hawthorne, most famous for his book 'The Scarlet Letter,” was an odd man. He was passionate, secretive, and deeply in love with his wife, Sophia. But he often acted selfishly and left Sophia to handle things without giving a thought to her needs. He would have drove most wives mad, but Sophia was always waiting patiently for him. 'The House of Hawthorne” tells their story, from her perspective.

The publishing of 'The Scarlet Letter” came at a impoverished time for the family and helped ease their difficulties but also thrust Hawthorne into the spotlight, which he didn't like.

Robuck aptly offers a spotlight on women and their role (even if it was viewed as less important) in history. She gives an honest and revealing portrait of the lives of artists and writers in the 1800s. This story shares an intimate look at the lives of the Hawthorne's and their families. It details the many different homes they lived in and especially Sophia's deep connection to nature. The reader will appreciate the many descriptions of the country at that time and will feel the emotions along with the characters.

It took me a bit to get used to the writing style as Robuck used language befitting of the era and, of course, of an artist. But Robuck definitely has a way with words that are delicate and deep. Her sentences are beautifully written. I can only assume she writes as Sophia herself would have written in her journals.

'The House of Hawthorne” is emotional, believable, and well-researched. Robuck is extremely talented at bringing historical literary figures back to life.