Imagine stumbling upon a hidden literary gem, a forgotten voice from the past that speaks directly to the bohemian spirit within us. That's precisely what happened when Livia Tenzer, a book committee head for the Provincetown Arts Press, unearthed Hazel Hawthorne's 1934 novel, Salt House, at the Provincetown Public Library. This discovery sparked a journey of rediscovery, bringing to light a remarkable author and her captivating portrayal of life in the Outer Cape during the 1930s.
Provincetown, a haven for artists and writers, has a rich literary history, boasting famous names like Norman Mailer and E.E. Cummings. But Tenzer was on a quest to find a lesser-known author whose work resonated with the bohemian lifestyle. And she found it in Salt House.
"It's bohemia life from a woman's perspective," Tenzer explained in an interview. The novel, originally published in 1934, had been out of print until now. Tenzer was captivated by its vivid depiction of bohemian life on Cape Cod.
The story follows a young woman who arrives in Provincetown, navigating relationships and ultimately seeking independence. The novel beautifully captures the connection to the natural landscape of the Outer Cape, with its dunes and ocean, which served as a source of inspiration for the main character. Tenzer felt that Hawthorne deserved recognition as a significant Cape Cod author, highlighting the book's feminist undertones, even if Hawthorne herself might not have used that term.
Hawthorne, known as the "Queen of the Dunes," was a key figure in the Outer Cape arts community. She owned dune shacks and welcomed artists. She was related to the painter Charles Hawthorne and a descendant of author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hawthorne's second book was written in 1938, and she also wrote poetry and contributed to The New Yorker in the 1930s and '40s.
But here's where it gets controversial... The rediscovery of Salt House wouldn't have been possible without the dedication of Allison Bass-Riccio, a writing center coordinator. She was inspired by Hawthorne's life and the intentionality with which she lived, defying social norms of the time. Bass-Riccio, along with her interns, embarked on a project to retype the entire novel, using a scanned copy from the Provincetown library and the archives. They used a new font, added a preface, afterword, a map, and a new cover.
The re-typesetting process took months, with the interns meticulously working on each page. The final product, a beautifully re-typeset edition of Salt House, was released in May 2025 and has already seen a second printing due to its popularity.
And this is the part most people miss... Bass-Riccio and her interns will host a reading of Salt House at the Provincetown Public Library. They will also discuss Hawthorne's archives and their work on The Hazel Project. The event is open to the public, and the reprinted book will be available for purchase.
What do you think about the lasting impact of forgotten literary works? Do you believe that these stories still hold relevance for today's readers? Share your thoughts in the comments!
