The Complete Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne, Appendix to Volume XII: Tales, Sketches, and other Papers by Nathaniel Hawthorne with a Biographical Sketch by George Parsons Lathrop Biographical Sketch of Nathaniel Hawthorne

Listeners will discover a modest but richly textured gathering of Hawthorne's lesser‑known tales and sketches, each echoing the moral ambiguity and shadowed New England scenery that define his more famous works. The stories unfold with a quiet, often unsettling lyricism, inviting you to wander through haunted woods, modest households, and the interiors of characters grappling with conscience and desire. Though many of the pieces were originally published in periodicals, they retain the same deliberate pacing and symbolic depth that make his longer novels so compelling.

Complementing the fiction is a concise biographical sketch by George Parsons Lathrop, offering a thoughtful portrait of the author’s early life, family background, and the formative experiences that shaped his imagination. Lathrop weaves together contemporary observations and personal anecdotes, helping listeners sense the modest Salem home and the lingering sense of mystery that fueled Hawthorne’s vision. Together, the narratives and biography provide a fuller appreciation of the mind behind the tales, making this collection a rewarding entry point for both longtime admirers and newcomers.