"The Scarlet Letter", "The House of the Seven Gables", "Young Goodman Brown," and "Rappaccini's Daughter" are staples of high school English classes across the country. Nathaniel Hawthorne's works and characters have left a lasting impression on writers, scholars, and readers around the world.

"Critical Companion to Nathaniel Hawthorne" offers critical entries on Hawthorne's novels, short stories, travel writing, criticism, and other works, as well as portraits of characters, including Hester Prynne and Roger Chillingworth. This comprehensive reference also provides entries on Hawthorne's family, friends - ranging from Herman Melville to President Franklin Pierce - publishers, and critics, as well as periodicals that published his work and important places and events in his life.

Covering everything of importance in Nathaniel Hawthorne's life and work, this invaluable guide offers a complete view of this revered author. Coverage includes: a biography of Nathaniel Hawthorne; entries on his works, both major and minor, including critical surveys and coverage of major characters; entries on family, friends, places, critics, and more; and appendixes, including full texts of important contemporary reviews (including Edgar Allan Poe's famous review of "Twice-Told Tales"), a bibliography, a chronology of Hawthorne's life, and more.