11 Noteworthy Novels Set in Atlanta

Below are 11 noteworthy novels set in Atlanta.

  1. 1
    Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

    Set in Atlanta during the Civil War and Reconstruction, Gone with the Wind follows Scarlett O’Hara, a strong-willed Southern woman determined to protect her family’s plantation, Tara. Scarlett faces love, loss, and the hardships brought by a changing South.

    Rhett Butler, charming but unpredictable, becomes an influential presence in her life as the old ways of the South break down around them.

  2. 2
    An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

    This novel introduces Celestial and Roy, a young Atlanta couple whose promising future is suddenly changed when Roy is wrongfully sent to prison. Their relationship, challenged by distance and hardship, exposes the realities they must face individually and together.

    Their story shows how life rarely goes as expected.

  3. 3
    Darktown by Thomas Mullen

    Darktown follows two Black police officers in 1940s Atlanta as they deal with racism and corruption while trying to investigate the murder of a young Black woman.

    At every turn, their authority is questioned, yet they press on, determined to discover the truth hidden beneath segregation-era Atlanta politics and prejudice.

  4. 4
    Peachtree Road by Anne Rivers Siddons

    Anne Rivers Siddons explores upper-class Atlanta society through the life of Shep Bondurant, reflecting on family and his complicated relationship with his cousin Lucy.

    As the city experiences change during the mid-20th century, Shep and Lucy grapple with loyalty, heartache, and the challenges their privileged upbringing presents.

  5. 5
    Triptych by Karin Slaughter

    Triptych is a tense Atlanta crime novel that connects the lives of a troubled mother, a detective, and an ex-con. A shocking murder kicks off the story, exposing secrets hidden beneath the city’s darker side.

    The book shifts viewpoints, constantly surprising readers as unexpected links emerge between the characters.

  6. 6
    Charlie Madigan series by Kelly Gay

    Atlanta cop Charlie Madigan stands at the center of supernatural chaos in Kelly Gay’s series. She balances parenting, her career, and a series of strange cases involving supernatural beings.

    In Charlie’s Atlanta, worlds collide as magical threats linger in the urban shadows, bringing constant danger and suspense.

  7. 7
    A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe

    At the heart of Tom Wolfe’s story is Charlie Croker, an Atlanta real estate mogul headed toward bankruptcy. Another character, Conrad Hensley, faces his own challenges after some unlucky choices send his life spinning out of control.

    Through these characters, Wolfe shows the realities of ambition, race, and class in late 20th-century Atlanta.

  8. 8
    Them: A Novel by Nathan McCall

    Barlowe Reed lives in a historically Black neighborhood in Atlanta, watching as white families move in and gentrification takes hold. Nathan McCall’s novel focuses on the tension, confusion, and sometimes conflict that accompany changing communities.

    Barlowe quietly observes as neighborhood dynamics reflect broader racial and social tensions.

  9. 9
    Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig

    Rhett Butler’s People retells Gone with the Wind from Rhett’s perspective. Donald McCaig gives readers a glimpse at Rhett’s early life, exploring complicated family relationships and his climb to power in Charleston and Atlanta.

    It also portrays the Civil War and Reconstruction through Rhett’s eyes, giving fresh insights into his defiant character and the world he inhabited.

  10. 10
    Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley

    Scarlett picks up where Gone with the Wind left off, following Scarlett O’Hara as she leaves Atlanta searching for her family’s Irish roots and hoping to win Rhett Butler’s heart again.

    Her strength and determination help her manage new struggles, relationships, and surprising discoveries abroad.

  11. 11
    Through the Valley of the Nest of Spiders by Samuel R. Delany

    After Eric’s father dies, he moves to a remote coastal town in Georgia. There Eric meets Morgan. Together they build a lasting connection, shared over many years.

    Their quiet town and close-knit community form the backdrop for themes of love, sexuality, and the simple ways people find meaning in their lives.