Imagine stumbling upon a hidden gem from the 1930s—a novel that captures the wild, free-spirited essence of bohemian life on Cape Cod, all through the eyes of a fiercely independent woman. But here's where it gets fascinating: this story was nearly lost to time, and now it's making a triumphant comeback! Digging into the vibrant history of Provincetown, a coastal haven that's long drawn creative souls, we uncover how one overlooked book is sparking fresh conversations about gender, freedom, and the power of nature's inspiration. If you've ever wondered what it truly means to break free from societal norms, keep reading—this tale of rediscovery might just resonate with the rebel in you. And this is the part most people miss: the journey to revive it involved a team of dedicated interns, turning dusty archives into a modern masterpiece.
Picture this: Livia Tenzer, the dynamic head of the book committee and a board member for the Provincetown Arts Press, was spending a quiet afternoon exploring the shelves of the Provincetown Public Library. Provincetown, you see, has always been a magnet for literary giants like Norman Mailer, E.E. Cummings, and John Dos Passos, making it a treasure trove for anyone seeking stories with depth. Tenzer, ever on the hunt for fresh voices, wasn't after the usual suspects. Instead, she sought out an author who might whisper to the bohemian spirit lurking within us all—a free-thinking, unconventional soul who embraced life outside the mainstream. In the library's dedicated Provincetown section, she unearthed Salt House (1934) by Hazel Hawthorne. As she shared in a phone chat with the Times on October 8, 'Provincetown boasts an unparalleled literary legacy.'
But here's where it gets controversial: is this novel's feminist undertone ahead of its time, or just a reflection of the era's quiet rebellions? Let's break down the book for clarity. Tenzer describes it as a vivid portrayal of bohemian existence—from a woman's viewpoint, which makes it refreshingly unique. Originally released in 1934, Salt House vanished after its initial run, never reprinted until now. Tenzer was captivated, calling it 'truly excellent' and praising how it vividly depicts the bohemian scene on Cape Cod during that period. For beginners, think of bohemian life as a carefree, artistic way of living—think painted shacks, impromptu gatherings, and a rejection of rigid societal rules, often inspired by places like Paris or, in this case, the rugged beauty of Cape Cod.
The narrative centers on a young woman who lands in Provincetown during the 1930s, navigating her ties to two men while ultimately forging her own path to self-reliance. Tenzer explains that it's fundamentally about discovering personal freedom. Another standout element is the deep bond with the natural surroundings of the Outer Cape—the sweeping dunes, the crashing ocean, and how these elements fuel the protagonist's creativity. Reading it, Tenzer felt Hawthorne deserved recognition as a significant Cape Cod writer. 'It's somewhat of a feminist work, even if Hazel Hawthorne might not have labeled it that way herself.' This subtle nod to women's empowerment could spark debate: in an age when women's rights were just emerging, was Hawthorne subtly challenging norms, or simply observing them? It's a point worth pondering—does art like this still hold up in today's world of #MeToo and gender equality movements?
Turning to Hawthorne's own remarkable life, she was one of numerous artists who made Provincetown and its surroundings their home. Dubbed the 'Queen of the Dunes' by the Provincetown Arts Press, she owned two iconic dune cabins called 'Thalassa' and 'Euphoria,' where she hosted countless creatives over the years. Born in Middleboro in 1901, Hawthorne played a pivotal role in the Outer Cape's arts scene. She was kin to the renowned painter Charles Hawthorne and a descendant of the famous author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Her journey ended in 2000 at 98, leaving behind a legacy of poetry, contributions to The New Yorker in the 1930s and '40s, and her second novel, Three Women (1938).
And this is the part most people miss: the sheer effort to resurrect a forgotten story, proving that passion and teamwork can breathe new life into history. The revival began when Tenzer reached out to Hawthorne's granddaughter, Susan Pomerantz, who linked her with Allison Bass-Riccio, a writing center coordinator at Cheshire Academy in Connecticut. Bass-Riccio became utterly engrossed after encountering Hawthorne in a book about the Provincetown dunes. The author, Cynthia Huntington, portrayed Hawthorne as deliberate and self-determined, building her life amidst the strict social expectations of the 1920s and '30s. Bass-Riccio, with a laugh, admitted, 'I found that incredibly motivating. Even in the 2020s, it's no walk in the park to live authentically.' She dove headfirst into research, visiting the dunes and eventually receiving Pomerantz's generous gift of Hawthorne's archives.
Bass-Riccio had been scouring for copies of Salt House, only locating one at the Provincetown Public Library. Fortunately, the archives included another. She launched The Hazel Project, dedicated to preserving Hawthorne's materials at Cheshire Academy. When Tenzer approached her about reprinting the book, Bass-Riccio and her nine interns jumped in with enthusiasm.
Under The Hazel Project, the team meticulously retyped the entire novel. With originals scarce, they relied on a scanned version from the library and the archival copy. Tenzer noted their goal to re-typeset it, adopting a fresh font, adding a preface and afterword, an introductory map, and a brand-new cover. The process spanned six to eight months, demanding 20 to 30 hours monthly from Bass-Riccio and her crew. The interns, balancing school, tracked progress on a whiteboard to stay organized. The reworked edition features a prelude, afterword, and footnotes, condensing the original 294 pages into a streamlined 160-page volume. Released in May 2025, Salt House has sold so briskly it's already seen a second printing.
Mark your calendars for the upcoming event! On Tuesday, October 21, at 5:30 p.m., Bass-Riccio and the interns will host a reading of Salt House (1934) at the Provincetown Public Library, located at 356 Commercial St. They'll share insights into Hawthorne's archives and The Hazel Project's ongoing endeavors. Open to everyone, the evening will also offer copies of the reprinted book for purchase.
Desiree Nikfardjam covers breaking and trending stories for us. She holds a degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism—reach out at DNikfardjam@gannett.com. A big thank you to our subscribers for fueling this kind of reporting. If you're not yet on board, why not support top-notch local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription? Check out our plans here.
What do you think? Does reviving a novel like Salt House matter in our fast-paced digital age, or is it just nostalgia? And here's a provocative twist: if Hawthorne's themes of independence were bold for the 1930s, are we truly freer today, or do subtle constraints still bind us? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree this is a feminist masterpiece, or see it differently? We'd love to hear your take!
