Memories of Hawthorne

A lovingly edited selection of Sophia Hawthorne’s letters invites listeners into the intimate world of one of America’s most celebrated literary families. The correspondence, spanning from her earliest childhood in the 1820s to the final years of her life, glows with the same sunlight and wit that marked the Hawthornes’ private conversations. As the editor weaves these “magic little pictures” together, the listener discovers a chorus of voices—parents, siblings, and close friends—each contributing to a portrait of a household where love, intellect, and resilience intertwine.

The narrative also introduces the vibrant Peabody circle, whose salons and gentle encouragement drew the Hawthornes into a lively exchange of ideas, art, and literature. Through anecdotes of trout‑fishing outings and spirited letters from Revolutionary‑era relatives, the book captures the cultural pulse of 19th‑century New England. Listeners will feel the steady, unflinching endurance of a family navigating both joy and sorrow, all rendered with a warmth that makes the past feel remarkably present.