4.3 (591 ratings)

The House of the Seven Gables (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

Name: The House of the Seven Gables (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)
Rating: 4.3 (591 reviews)
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
ISBN: 0486408825

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

witches

About this book

Deep within the shadows of a decaying New England mansion lies a legacy of blood, greed, and an ancient witch’s curse. Built over an unquiet grave, the House of the Seven Gables has blighted the Pyncheon family for centuries. This is a haunting masterpiece of dark-romance and gothic atmosphere, where the sins of the ancestors continue to poison the present.

The story centers on the struggle between a corrupt, iron-hearted judge and his vulnerable relatives. As they fight to escape the mansion’s suffocating grip, they find an unexpected ally in a mysterious boarder. With his unsettling talents in mesmerism and a dark, intellectual intensity that feels pulled straight from a forbidden academy of occult arts, he becomes the catalyst for a romance that defies the house’s grim history.

If you are looking for a paranormal read that trades modern tropes for atmospheric dread and historical weight, this is your next obsession. Hawthorne masterfully weaves a tale where love acts as the only power capable of breaking a generational spell. It is a dense, chilling, and deeply romantic exploration of how the past never truly stays buried, especially when it is fueled by pride and the supernatural.

Publication Date: May 25, 2026
ASIN: 0486408825

Reader Reviews

Perfect Novel

September 16, 2025

The Scarlet Letter used to be my favorite Hawthorne book, but this surpasses it by and far! Gothic romance, but not the mushy or spicy romance. This is a classic work of literature for a reason and you need to read it! Beautiful descriptions of people, places, and things. What he can say in two sentences most people could never master in a life of writing. You will want to watch the movie after, to compare, and if in Salem, visit the house. ) One person found this helpful

Just beginning it...

June 26, 2024

I’ve just begun reading this, it’s densely but clearly written, “old fashioned” in its convolution, interesting, and well worth the focus required for it. ) 2 people found this helpful

A Gothic Vision of an Old Family Secret

March 22, 2012

I became interested in this novel when my wife learned that she is a direct relative of the man who owned the house which inspired Hawthorne to write this book. I was not disappointed with the novel and I quite enjoyed the dark and mysterious tone to it. Perhaps the modern reader won't have the patience to wade through Hawthorne's meandering prose. I admit that this book takes patience but look beyond and you'll recogize the beautiful elements that make it a classic in American literature. In a...

Challenging Vocabulary.

May 11, 2014

Interesting story, great prose style and a challenging vocabulary. Be prepared to look up some words. Not for beginning readers. Amazon says readers 11 and up, 6th grade level. I think that is much too low, this is advance reading. ) 2 people found this helpful

Worth the read so far

September 6, 2016

Purchased for our daughters AP Lit course - it has great use of vocabulary and type is large enough to annotate side margins. Message if you have specific questions about story line as she has not completed reading as of yet... ) One person found this helpful