The Ancestral Footstep (fragment) Outlines of an English Romance   By: Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)

Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Ancestral Footstep (fragment) is a captivating novel that takes readers on a journey through time and family history. Although unfinished, this intriguing work showcases Hawthorne's exceptional storytelling ability and his profound understanding of human nature.

The story revolves around a young couple, Bernard and Elinor, who stumble upon a hidden room in their ancestral home. Inside, they discover a collection of old manuscripts and artifacts that hold the key to their family's mysterious past. As they delve deeper into the secrets concealed within the hidden room, their own lives become entwined with the lives of their ancestors.

Hawthorne's writing style is nothing short of remarkable. His vivid descriptions transport readers to 19th-century England, immersing them in a world filled with manor houses, sprawling landscapes, and complex family dynamics. The author's attention to detail is superb, as he paints a vivid picture of the characters' surroundings and emotions, making the story come alive with every page.

One of the book's most compelling aspects is its exploration of the themes of fate and the consequences of past actions. Hawthorne expertly weaves the idea of ancestral legacies throughout the narrative, highlighting how the choices made by our forebears can shape our own lives. This examination of generational ties adds depth and complexity to the plot, as the characters grapple with the weight of their family's history and the impact it has on their present circumstances.

Though The Ancestral Footstep remains unfinished, leaving readers longing for a conclusion, the fragment that exists is a testament to Hawthorne's exceptional storytelling prowess. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and their struggles and triumphs resonate with readers on a profound level. The narrative's pacing is skillfully executed, creating a sense of anticipation and a desire to unravel the mysteries that lie within the hidden room.

As always, Nathaniel Hawthorne's prose is rich with thought-provoking insights into the human condition. His eloquent writing style effortlessly captures the complexities of love, family, and ambition, making The Ancestral Footstep a timeless piece of literature that leaves readers yearning for more.

In conclusion, although unfinished, The Ancestral Footstep (fragment) is a thought-provoking and beautifully written novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne that demonstrates his storytelling brilliance. With its exploration of ancestry, fate, and human nature, this captivating work serves as a testament to the author's enduring legacy in the world of literature.

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"Septimius Felton" was the outgrowth of a project, formed by Hawthorne during his residence in England, of writing a romance, the scene of which should be laid in that country; but this project was afterwards abandoned, giving place to a new conception in which the visionary search for means to secure an earthly immortality was to form the principal interest. The new conception took shape in the uncompleted "Dolliver Romance." The two themes, of course, were distinct, but, by a curious process of thought, one grew directly out of the other: the whole history constitutes, in fact, a chapter in what may be called the genealogy of a romance. There remained, after "Septimius Felton" had been published, certain manuscripts connected with the scheme of an English story. One of these manuscripts was written in the form of a journalized narrative; the author merely noting the date of what he wrote, as he went along. The other was a more extended sketch, of much greater bulk, and without date, but probably produced several years later. It was not originally intended by those who at the time had charge of Hawthorne's papers that either of these incomplete writings should be laid before the public; because they manifestly had not been left by him in a form which he would have considered as warranting such a course... Continue reading book >>