Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Blithedale Romance
"The Blithedale Romance" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a novel published in 1852. Set in a utopian socialist farming commune modeled on Brook Farm, the story follows Miles Coverdale as he observes the clash between lofty communal ideals and messy human realities. Romantic entanglements develop among residents including the enchanting Zenobia, the frail Priscilla, and the reformer Hollingsworth. As friendships fracture and secrets emerge about mysterious pasts, the community's noble experiment spirals toward tragedy, revealing the limits of idealism when confronted with jealousy, ambition, and unrequited love.