Championed bestsellers
Can you guess the most famous books set in these states?
Image: lil artsy / Morgan Lane
Books surely transport us. Particularly those with stories entwined with the landscapes and culture of real places. Some novels have become so famous that they are the top-of-mind when
we think of certain U.S. states. Which book do you remember when we mention Alaska, Alabama, or Missouri? Let’s see if you can guess which titles are the most famous set in these states!
1
Alaska – Into the Wild
Image: Joris Beugels
Surely a top choice! Into the Wild recounts the real and tragic story of Christopher McCandless, who ventured to the north Alaskan wilderness seeking freedom and self-discovery.
As thought-provoking as heart-breaking, this non-fiction by Jon Krakauer takes readers on a journey with vivid descriptions of Denali and the Stampede Trail.
2
Colorado – The Shining
Image: Luke Scarpino
Maybe not the most flattering, but consensus says that the most famous novel set in Colorado is Stephen King’s iconic The Shining .
After all, the story about troubled Jack Torrance and his family unravels inside the fictional Overlook Hotel, imagined as a high-altitude, secluded retreat in Colorado. King was inspired to write it after his stay at Stanley Hotel, in the same state.
3
Kansas – The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Image: V
Is it fair? Most of the action in Frank L. Baum’s novel occurs in Oz, not Kansas. But the one famous line, made unforgettable by the movie, was enough to link The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to the state forever.
"Toto, I have a feeling we are not in Kansas anymore " and later on "There’s no place like home" have made people resolve that Kansas is underlying in the plot of the famous fantasy.
4
Louisiana – Interview with the Vampire
Image: Katelyn Greer
The luxurious vampires created by Anne Rice for Interview with the Vampire would not be the same if not draped in Louisiana’s gothic mystique. That’s why people defend this as the Pelican State’s most famous book.
From shadowy bayous to grand Creole mansions, the stories of Louis and Lestat redefined vampire lore and turned them into rock stars of literature.
5
Missouri - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Image: Lawrence Chismorie
Mischievous Tom Sawyer might be the quintessential American boy, and he certainly was from the Show-Me State.
Mark Twain's classic tale, set in the fictional town of St. Petersburg, Missouri, follows Tom and his pals, Huckleberry Finn and Becky Thatcher. Who could forget the iconic fence-painting scene or the thrilling cave exploration?
6
Georgia - Gone with the Wind
Image: Ника Алексеева
Frankly, we do give a damn about this sweeping epic set in Georgia during the Civil War and Reconstruction era. Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Gone with the Wind , tells the story of Scarlett O'Hara, a headstrong Southern belle.
From the grand plantation of Tara to the bustling streets of Atlanta, the novel paints a vivid portrait of a bygone and controversial era.
7
Vermont - Pollyanna
Image: Tuyen Vo
Sweet Pollyanna was voted the most famous novel set in Vermont, known for its picturesque landscapes and charming towns.
Eleanor H. Porter's children’s classic tells the story of an optimistic girl who invents a "glad game", which teaches herself and her neighbors to find joy in every situation.
8
Washington - Twilight
Image: Alex Moliski
The craze set on by Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga was hard to miss. But few people remember that this vampire romance was distinctly set in Forks, Washington.
Unraveling in a misty, rainy city lined by looming forests, the series of novels lodged itself in the memory of millions of fans as an emblem of this northern state.
9
Texas - No Country for Old Men
Image: Damien Snyers
Another Pulitzer Prize-winner: No Country for Old Men is set in the desolate landscape of West Texas. This work by Cormac McCarthy was the first that many mentioned when asked about the state.
It follows a Vietnam veteran turned hunter, who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong. The film adaptation, directed by the Coen brothers, was also critically acclaimed, earning four Academy Awards and more fame to the title.
10
Oregon - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Image: Aleksandar Pasaric
Author Ken Kesey used to work the graveyard shift at a mental facility in California. But this did not stop him from setting One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in Oregon, where he grew up.
This powerful novel, a satire of the mental healthcare system, also became a multi-awarded film starring Jack Nicholson.
11
Alabama – To Kill a Mockingbird
Image: Brian Forsyth
Who could forget the story of Atticus Finch, the moral compass of Maycomb, Alabama? Harper Lee’s classic told from the perspective of young Scout Finch is a moving tale of justice and humanity.
Although Maycomb is fictional, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel has enough renown to turn it into the most famous set in Alabama, even internationally.
12
New York - The Great Gatsby
Image: Billy Huynh
Surely New York state had many strong contenders —from Breakfast at Tiffany’s to The Catcher in the Rye . But the winner was F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby .
This iconic novel captures the glamour and excess of the Roaring Twenties, as well as a version of the American Dream gone awry. It’s not only New York’s most famous fiction , some have gone so far as to call it the quintessential American novel!
