Twice-Told Tales

This is Hawthorne's first major collection of short prose, gathering pieces that had earlier appeared in magazines, hence the title. It includes historical tales of colonial New England, moral allegories and quiet sketches of daily life. Well-known stories include The Minister's Black Veil, The Gray Champion and The Maypole of Merry Mount. Many examine guilt, isolation and the shadow of Puritan history. The book brought Hawthorne recognition and shows early versions of themes he would develop in his novels.