House of the Seven Gables is written in the flowery prose common in the mid 19th century. The story deals with a house that has been in the home of the Pyncheon family for some time. However, it was originally obtained by not so good means. (Somebody was accused of witchcraft, and then their property was taken.) Alas, since then, the house has been "cursed". One of the current residents opens up a store. There is also a resident that is in poor health - however, he is rumored to know the source of a vast wealth sought after by a relative (a judge.) The Judge dies and it turns out there is an "indian dead" that is now worthless.
It brings about an interesting point about wealth. If somebody has accumulated a vast amount of wealth and nobody else knows about it, what happens? It may be something that the owner could call upon. However, the people currently working with it would probably just continue on their lives with it as is. It probably wouldn't do anybody else any good.
The book itself has stood the test of time. It has served as an influence for other writers and genres (alas, not ones that I have a particular fondness.)
War is both glamorous and torturous. During times of hyped patriotism, people are super eager to fight for their cause. Then the reach the front lines and discover the horrid reality of war. They long for the wounds that give then the "red badge of courage", yet they still want to escape. Boys want to show that they are "men", capable of making their own decisions, yet don't know how to react when people let them go along. The book tries to paint a vivid picture of war. I had trouble following it. I was thinking it was talking about World War I. I guess the "rebs" should have given me a clue.
