Review: The House of Hawthorne by Erika Robuck

From a young age, debilitating headaches have plagued Sophia. One of six children, her parents encouraged her to pursue her painting rather than pursing the life of a wife and mother.  Yet, when she meets Nathaniel Hawthorne, suddenly Sophia sees a different fate before her. After a long engagement, the two wed. Sophia's journals of her time in Cuba, along with her masterful art, inspire Nathaniel to write. Though, as their family grows, Sophia has fewer opportunities to devote to her craft.

The House of Hawthorne is a masterful tale of an incredibly creative couple, each juggling their talents and their strong will with the commitments of a family life.  Dedicated to one another, and their family, yet also craving to explore the creative outlets that make them whole.

Robuck has once again succeeded at crafting an addictive and mesmerizing tale about a woman, often forgotten, who stood by and supported one of our country’s most renowned writers.  She gives voice to these women, allowing the world to see them in the glory that is often shadowed by the prominence of their spouse.  A long-time fan of Hawthorne’s work, I knew nothing about Sophia and the inspiration she provided him.

I especially appreciated the interweaving of other literary names, like Emerson and Melville, who also served as mentors and inspirations to Hawthorne. One often forgets how intimate and dedicated this small circle of writers was, and it was interesting to see how they  related to one another.

Despite the long page count, it was nearly impossible not to devour this novel in one sitting. This is Sophy’s story, no doubt about it, but we do learn a great deal about the more intimate and human side of Nathaniel Hawthorne as well. His insecurities, his weaknesses, providing a more rounded appreciation of his work.  How their relationship evolved, and was then tested, by their needs and desires to take advantage of their artistic outlets, was captivating.

Robuck excels at introducing the world to lesser known, yet powerful women.  This is no exception. A must read for  both fans of Hawthorne’s work, or those who have not yet experienced it. An incredibly well-researched, captivating tale of artistic brilliance. Highly, highly recommended.