A&M International Faculty Member Makes Book Debut

One of America's legendary writers, Nathaniel Hawthorne, is the subject of a new book by Texas A&M International University Associate Professor of English Dr. Thomas Mitchell.

Mitchell's book of literary criticism, Hawthorne's Fuller Mystery (University of Massachusetts Press), will be presented to the public for the first time at a book signing scheduled for Dec. 12, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Book Mark Books, 7305 San Dario Ave.

The 350-page work, which Mitchell began in 1992, provides a distinct perspective on the works of Hawthorne, an author Mitchell says was strongly influenced by the pioneer feminist Margaret Fuller.

"This book began as a 25-page paper that I wrote for a seminar while pursuing a doctoral degree in English at Texas A&M University. It is a combination of biography, revisionist literary history, and feminist literary criticism," he said.

Mitchell said that the six years of writing, editing, and publishing the book have been long but gratifying.

"Working on this book has been difficult and, at the same time, gratifying. I am pleased with the result," Mitchell said.

Unlike many books of literary criticism, Hawthorne's Fuller Mystery takes a narrative form and employs an unconventional chronological structure, Mitchell added.

"I hope that the readers will gain a deeper understanding of Hawthorne's life and his art and how his life transformed his art and vice versa," Mitchell explained.

Mitchell received his doctoral degree in English from Texas A&M in 1994. He earned both his masters and bachelors degrees in English from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, LA.

A Nov. 1 review published in Kirkus Reviews states that Mitchell's work "captures the fiery temperament of each (Hawthorne and Fuller) while also untangling their complicated friendship and its literary import."

For further information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at 326-2180. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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