Well, many consider 'The House of the Seven Gables' to be his best work too. It has a spooky and mysterious tone. The story is centered around an old, cursed house and the family that lives there. Hawthorne weaves in themes of family secrets, the past haunting the present, and the effects of greed. It shows his masterful storytelling ability as he unfolds the various plotlines and reveals the dark secrets within the family and the house.
In my opinion, 'The Scarlet Letter' stands out as Nathaniel Hawthorne's best novel. It delves deeply into themes of sin, guilt, and redemption. The story, set in Puritan New England, follows Hester Prynne, who is forced to wear a scarlet 'A' for committing adultery. Through her journey, Hawthorne explores the complex nature of human morality and the impact of society's judgment. The characters are vividly drawn, and the atmospheric setting adds to the overall power of the narrative.