is it any wonder authors are drawn to new england again and again? our beautiful region offers a variety of landscapes, from rocky coastlines to mountain forests, not to mention four distinct seasons. Over the years, many books set in New England have become best-sellers and award winners. Read on for our list of 20 unforgettable books about New England.
20 essential books set in new england
my sister’s keeper (2004) – jodi picoult
picoult moved to new hampshire at a young age, and still calls the granite state home. Many of his novels have been set in New England. My Sister’s Keeper, her best-known book about a girl struggling with the decision to donate a kidney to her sick sister, takes place in a fictional Rhode Island town.
fall of the empire (2001) – richard russo
empire falls takes place in a classic maine working class town. tells the story of roby miles, the local grill manager, and the people and places he interacts with. Russo received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for Empire Falls in 2002.
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summer sisters (1998) – judy blume
one of my favorites on the list of books set in new england, this novel focuses on two friends (summer sisters) who struggle to find their way in the world as they grow into themselves. most of the story takes place over several summers in the marten vineyard.
tuesdays with morrie (1997) – mitch albom
How did this beloved non-fiction get on our list of books set in New England? Tuesdays With Morrie is a memoir centered on the life and life lessons of Morrie Schwartz, a professor at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts.
practical magic (1995) – alice hoffman
In a small town in Massachusetts, everyone knows everyone else’s business. or maybe not. Hoffman weaves a story of two sisters full of magic in this book based on New England.
the cider house rules (1985) – john irving
john irving was born and raised in new hampshire, and has many books set in new england. His novel The Cider House Rules is set in rural Maine. tells the story of an orphan boy who grows up to become a doctor (reluctantly) and must accept what life has thrown at him.
carrie (1974) – stephen king
Now a classic, Carrie was the first book published by Maine-born master of horror Stephen King, and one of many King books set in New England. The story centers on a troubled and bullied teenager who memorably takes revenge on her classmates who torment her. It’s set in a fictional small town in Maine.
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the bell jar (1963) – sylvia plath
in the bell jar, the only novel written by boston-born sylvia plath, a young graduate of smith college (located in northampton, massachusetts) embarks on an internship in new york city. Feeling that she doesn’t belong, she returns to her home in Boston to find out what she wants out of life, but only falls deeper into depression.
revolutionary road (1961) – richard yates
Revolutionary Road, the riveting yet disturbing first novel by Richard Yates, traces the lives of a Connecticut couple in the trenches of suburban life.
a separate peace (1959) – john knowles
In a separate peace, Knowles tells the coming-of-age story of a boy in a New England prep school during World War II. The school is believed to be based on Philips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, the author’s alma mater. Of the many “must read” books set in New England, this is one that most students have read at one time or another.
the witch of blackbird pond (1958) – elizabeth george speare
Set in 17th century New England, this children’s novel tells the story of an orphaned girl named Katherine who moves to a small Puritan town in Connecticut. elizabeth george speare received the newbery medal in 1959 for this work of historical fiction.
the crucible (1953) – arthur miller
yes, the crucible is a play and not a book; however, it is too new england to be excluded from this list. Here, Miller tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials, giving readers a glimpse into one of the most fascinating and despicable periods in New England history.
make way for the ducklings (1941) – robert mccloskey
If you’ve ever walked through Boston’s Public Gardens, you’ve likely noticed Nancy Schon’s Ducks art installation. His sculpture is based on McCloskey’s beloved children’s book, which tells the story of a pair of ducks who raise his family in their garden pond. It might be the most beloved of the many children’s books set in New England.
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our town (1938) – thornton wilder
another work worthy of inclusion. Thornton Wilder wrote at least part of Our Town while living in the Macdowell Colony in Peterborough, New Hampshire. The play is set in the fictional town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, which many believe was inspired by Peterborough, although coordinates given by the play’s narrator place it somewhere in Massachusetts. Our Town chronicles all the stages and nuances of small-town New England life.
pollyanna (1913) – eleanor h. goalkeeper
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Considered one of the great classics of children’s literature, Pollyanna tells the story of an orphan girl who moves to a small town in Vermont to live with her aunt. Before long, her infectious and optimistic personality has the whole town feeling “joyful.”
ethan frome (1911) – edith wharton
one of the most tragic and beautiful new england books i have ever read, ethan frome, set in a fictional town in massachusetts, tells the story of a man (ethan frome) and the hardships he endured in life and love .
a connecticut yankee in king arthur’s court (1889) – mark twain
Strictly speaking, this book was not written by a real yankee (they both moved to connecticut in 1871) and most of the story takes place in britain during the time of king arthur… but the main character he’s an engineer from connecticut. and “yankee” is in the title.
see more: mark twain bed | local treasure
little women (1868-1869) – louisa may alcott
louisa may alcott was born in pennsylvania, but is most famous for the time her family spent in concord, massachusetts (and later lived in boston as well). Although the town in which Little Women takes place is never mentioned by name, the characters clearly live in a small New England town and are loosely based on Alcott’s own experiences during his years in Concord.
walden (1854) – henry david thoreau
technically, since it is not a work of fiction, walden is not set in new england, but is there any other book that expounds so much the nature and serenity of new england? I do not think so. Thoreau describes her observations during her two years of simple living at Walden Pond in Concord, MA.
the scarlet letter (1850) – nathaniel hawthorne
Set in Boston during the 17th century, this novel delves into the history and society of the Puritans who first settled the region. Hester Prynne, the main character, becomes the recipient of Hawthorne’s main themes: sin and guilt.
Do you have a favorite on our list of books set in New England? let us know!
This post was first published in 2016 and has been updated.
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