The Marble Faun is Nathaniel Hawthornes most captivating romance, set against the backdrop of a fantastical Italy just before the American Civil War. This enchanting tale weaves together elements of fable, pastoral beauty, Gothic intrigue, and travelogue. Inspired by the Faun of Praxiteles during a visit to a Roman sculpture gallery in the spring of 1858, Hawthorne delves into timeless themes of guilt and the Fall of Man. The story revolves around four intriguing characters Miriam, a stunning painter likened to Eve and pursued by a shadowy figure; Hilda, an innocent copyist reminiscent of the Virgin Mary; Kenyon, a rationalist sculptor embodying humanism; and Donatello, the enigmatic Count of Monti Beni, who, resembling the Faun, blurs the lines of humanity. (Summary by Wikipedia)