The Life and Genius of Nathaniel Hawthorne

As one can guess from the title, this book is a biography of Nathaniel Hawthorne. He was an American novelist and short story writer. His works often focus on history, morality, and religion. Much of Hawthorne's writing centers on New England, many works featuring moral metaphors with an anti-Puritan inspiration. His fiction works are considered part of the Romantic movement and, more specifically, dark romanticism. His themes often center on the inherent evil and sin of humanity, and his works often have moral messages and deep psychological complexity.