The Celestial Railroad and Other Stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne offers a captivating collection of tales that delve into the darker aspects of human nature and society. The title story, "The Celestial Railroad," is a sharp satirical reimagining of John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim's Progress, critiquing the moral compromises of modern life. In "The Birthmark," one of Hawthorne’s most famous works, a scientist’s obsessive quest to remove a small imperfection from his wife’s skin leads to tragic consequences, exploring themes of perfection, obsession, and the nature of human mortality. Also featured is "The Minister's Black Veil," which examines the secrecy and isolation caused by a seemingly simple veil worn by a Puritan minister, and "Young Goodman Brown," a chilling tale of temptation, disillusionment, and the loss of innocence.
This edition also includes an insightful afterword by R.P. Blackmur, adding depth and context to Hawthorne's timeless work.
About the Author
Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), one of the most prominent American writers of the 19th century, is known for his exploration of the moral and psychological complexities of human nature. A master of the short story and novel, his works often address themes such as guilt, sin, and the tensions between individual desires and societal expectations, with notable works including The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables. Born in Salem, Massachusetts, Hawthorne's writing reflects the influence of his Puritan ancestry and the New England landscape.
![When this classic collection of stories first appeared—in 1962, on the author’s thirtieth birthday—Arthur Mizener wrote in The New York Times Book Review: “Updike is a romantic [and] like all American romantics, that is, he has an irresistible impulse to go in memory home again in order to find himself. . . . The precise recollection of his own family-love, parental and marital, is vital to him; it is the matter in which the saving truth is incarnate. . . . Pigeon Feathers is not just a book of very brilliant short stories; it is a demonstration of how the most gifted writer of his generation is coming to maturity; it shows us that Mr. Updike’s fine verbal talent is no longer pirouetting, however gracefully, out of a simple delight in motion, but is beginning to serve his deepest insight.”](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-ezptpblrxu/images/stencil/500x659/products/1019/1658/PigeonsStories__64020.1660081010.jpg?c=2 "When this classic collection of stories first appeared—in 1962, on the author’s thirtieth birthday—Arthur Mizener wrote in The New York Times Book Review: “Updike is a romantic [and] like all American romantics, that is, he has an irresistible impulse to go in memory home again in order to find himself. . . . The precise recollection of his own family-love, parental and marital, is vital to him; it is the matter in which the saving truth is incarnate. . . . Pigeon Feathers is not just a book of very brilliant short stories; it is a demonstration of how the most gifted writer of his generation is coming to maturity; it shows us that Mr. Updike’s fine verbal talent is no longer pirouetting, however gracefully, out of a simple delight in motion, but is beginning to serve his deepest insight.”")
