The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1843): A Review

Title: The Birthmark

Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne

Publication Year: 1843

Pages: 19

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ​

Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Allegory

Source: Book

Opening Sentence: In the latter part of the last century there lived a man of science, an eminent proficient in every branch of natural philosophy, who not long before our story opens had made experience of a spiritual affinity more attractive than any chemical one.



This is the tale of a mad doctor with a crazy obsession over a birthmark, thinking he can play God. Everyone thinks he’s a genius, but deep down, he’s just a fraud. And guess what? His wife eventually figures it out, but does that stop her from trusting his medical wizardry? If you think so, bless your heart—you’re as naive as she is and might deserve an eye-roll!

At first, everyone—including Georgiana—sees the birthmark as a cute little charm. But then her husband, driven by his obsession, convinces her it’s the most unforgivable flaw since, well, pineapple on pizza. First, you’re all sympathetic toward Georgiana, but by the end, you’re rolling your eyes so hard they might pop out! Watching her elevate her narcissistic husband to a pedestal feels like Pygmalion’s misplaced affection for his ivory sculpture—an enchanting illusion that reveals cracks beneath the surface, leaving you both captivated and disillusioned.

Of course, we need these two opposites! Imagine when a husband deems her wife’s cute birthmark hideous; what does she do? A naïve wife moulded by a male author from the 1830s would do exactly what Georgiana did. But a gentle soul from this century, let’s hope, would show him the door, while a less gentle soul might send him flying out of a window. We definitely don’t want that ending for a story set in the 1830s!

Eye rolls aside, I must confess—I absolutely loved the story! Who doesn’t enjoy a good, dark romance filled with failure and questionable life choices?