Author Margaret Mitchell was born in Georgia, and her novel “Gone with the Wind” (for which she won the Pulitzer Prize) is set in Georgia.
The story is set during the Civil War and Reconstruction era in Georgia. It follows Scarlett O’Hara, a strong-willed woman from a wealthy plantation family, as she navigates the collapse of the Southern way of life.
Her determination to survive and rebuild is at the heart of the story, with her tumultuous relationship with Rhett Butler adding layers of conflict and passion. The book paints a vivid picture of historical events and the personal struggles of those caught in them.
Carson McCullers wrote “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter,” a novel set in a small Georgia mill town during the 1930s. It follows John Singer, a deaf-mute man, and the people who gravitate toward him, each struggling with loneliness and longing.
The story explores themes of isolation through characters such as Mick Kelly, a teenage girl with dreams beyond her reach, and Doctor Copeland, an idealistic Black physician fighting against injustice.
The novel creates a vivid picture of life in a southern town during a turbulent time.
Donald McCaig wrote “Rhett Butler’s People,” which reimagines the world of “Gone with the Wind” from Rhett Butler’s perspective.
The novel explores his life before Scarlett O’Hara, including his complicated relationship with his family and his struggles with honor and reputation. It shows how his past shaped the Rhett fans know, while also giving more depth to supporting characters like Belle Watling.
The story provides new angles on events and relationships from the original classic.
The book “Scarlett” by Alexandra Ripley picks up where “Gone with the Wind” ended. It follows Scarlett O’Hara as she rebuilds her life after Rhett Butler leaves her.
Determined to win him back, Scarlett travels from Charleston to Ireland, facing new scandals, family drama, and the challenges of a changing world. The story explores Scarlett’s fiery spirit and her relentless drive to shape her destiny.
The book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” by John Berendt takes readers to Savannah, Georgia, where the charm of the city meets a murder trial that disrupts its polished surface.
Centered around the mysterious death of Danny Hansford, a local young man, the story introduces a mix of eccentric characters, including the wealthy Jim Williams, who is accused of the crime.
The vivid descriptions of Savannah’s historic streets and quirky residents give the book a unique atmosphere, blending Southern elegance with darker secrets.
The novella “The Ballad of the Sad Café” by Carson McCullers is set in a small, rural Georgia town and tells the story of Miss Amelia, a tough and independent woman who runs a café.
Her quiet life changes when her estranged husband, Marvin Macy, returns after being released from prison, and a strange hunchback named Cousin Lymon becomes her companion.
The relationships between these three characters create tension and drama, all unfolding against a backdrop of Southern isolation and hardship.
The book “Cold Sassy Tree” by Olive Ann Burns takes place in a small Georgia town in 1906, where 14-year-old Will Tweedy navigates a summer filled with change and scandal.
After Will’s grandmother dies, his grandfather shocks everyone by quickly marrying a much younger woman, Miss Love Simpson. Through Will’s perspective, readers get a glimpse of Southern life, quirky townsfolk, and how traditions collide with modern ideas.
The story mixes humor and heartfelt moments, capturing a snapshot of family and community in a changing era.
Alice Walker wrote “The Color Purple,” a story about Celie, a young Black woman in the early 20th-century South, who faces abuse and oppression. Through letters she writes to God and later to her sister, Celie finds her voice and strength.
The novel explores relationships, personal growth, and resilience, painting a vivid picture of life in rural Georgia.
“Peachtree Road” by Anne Rivers Siddons tells the story of Lucy and Shep, two cousins growing up in Atlanta’s elite society. Through Shep’s perspective, the book follows their lives as they navigate family expectations, traditions, and the personal struggles that shape them.
The story captures Atlanta’s transformation during the 20th century while exploring themes of love, loss, and loyalty.
MacKinlay Kantor wrote “Andersonville,” a historical novel about the infamous Confederate prison in Georgia during the Civil War. The story focuses on the lives of Union prisoners held in terrible conditions and the people running the prison.
Through various perspectives, the book paints a vivid and often brutal picture of survival, cruelty, and humanity.
The book “Cane” by Jean Toomer paints a vivid picture of African American life in the early 20th century, focusing on rural Georgia and the complexities of identity, race, and culture.
It is a mix of short stories, poems, and sketches, weaving together the lives of various characters. One striking part tells of a woman named Karintha, whose beauty captivates everyone in her small town, but whose life carries a sense of pain beneath the surface.
James Dickey wrote “Deliverance,” a story about four men from Atlanta who take a weekend canoe trip through the wilderness in rural Georgia. Their adventure turns into a fight for survival after they encounter violent locals in the untamed landscape.
The novel explores themes of manhood and nature, and it’s filled with moments of tension and brutality that stay with you.
Erskine Caldwell’s “God’s Little Acre” is set in rural Georgia and follows the struggles of the impoverished Lester family. The father, Ty Ty, obsessively digs for gold on his farmland, neglecting his family’s needs in his relentless pursuit.
The novel also explores themes of desire and betrayal, as personal ambitions clash with the harsh realities of their lives. Its depiction of the South is both raw and unforgettable, offering a vivid look at a world shaped by poverty and desperation.
The novel “An American Marriage” by Tayari Jones tells the story of Celestial and Roy, a young couple whose lives are upended when Roy is wrongfully convicted of a crime.
Set in Georgia, the book explores the tensions and changes in their relationship as they navigate this unexpected distance. It offers glimpses into the emotional letters they exchange while Roy is in prison and examines how their individual hopes and choices shape their paths.
The novel “A Man in Full” by Tom Wolfe gives readers a glimpse into the lives of people in Atlanta and beyond. It follows Charles Croker, a real estate tycoon whose world begins to crumble under the weight of debt and personal struggles.
Alongside his story, the book also explores racial tensions, economic hardships, and the shifting social landscape in Georgia. The characters, caught up in ambition and conflict, paint a vivid picture of their surroundings and the challenges they face.
Karin Slaughter’s “Beyond Reach” follows Grant County medical examiner Sara Linton and local detective Jeffrey Tolliver as they investigate a case tied to a small Georgia town filled with secrets and tension.
When a colleague is accused of murder, their search for answers takes them into a dangerous world of corruption and twisted alliances. The story offers a mix of personal struggles and a dark, intense mystery set against the unsettling backdrop of southern Georgia.
The book “Broken” by Karin Slaughter takes readers to the small town of Grant County, Georgia, where a young woman’s death pulls special agent Will Trent into an investigation tied to the town’s complicated history.
As Will uncovers more about the suspected suicide, he clashes with the local police and stirs up old tensions, questioning who can be trusted in a place where secrets run deep.
Lillian Smith wrote “Strange Fruit,” a novel set in a small Georgia town during the 1920s. It tells the story of a secret interracial love affair between a Black woman, Nonnie, and a white man, Tracy.
The tension in their relationship reflects the deep divisions in the community and the racism ingrained in the society. The book explores the impact of this forbidden love on their lives and those around them, shedding light on the consequences of prejudice and hatred.
“The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor” by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga takes readers into the early days of the apocalypse. It follows the story of Philip Blake, his daughter Penny, and a small group as they struggle to survive in a world overrun by the dead.
Along the way, Philip’s descent into darkness begins, shaping him into the man known as the Governor. The book offers a look into his harsh choices, exploring how the threats around him push him to become one of the most ruthless leaders in the series.
Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga wrote “The Walking Dead: The Road to Woodbury,” a story set in the zombie apocalypse. It follows Lilly Caul, a survivor who struggles to find safety and peace in a brutal world.
After joining a group of survivors, she eventually crosses paths with Woodbury, a community that seems like a haven but hides dark secrets under the leadership of the Governor.
The story dives into the harsh choices and dangers confronted by those trying to rebuild their lives while staying alive.
Thomas Mullen’s “Darktown” is set in Atlanta during the late 1940s and follows the story of two Black police officers, Lucius Boggs and Tommy Smith.
At a time when racism and corruption run deep, the two navigate the challenges of their new roles while investigating the murder of a young Black woman.
The book paints a vivid picture of segregation-era Atlanta, showing the tension and danger the officers face as they fight for justice in a deeply unequal system.
The novel “Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead: Invasion” by Jay Bonansinga follows the struggle of survivors in a world overrun by zombies. The story focuses on Lilly Caul, who leads a group of people trying to rebuild after the chaos.
They face threats not only from the walkers but also from other humans, like the fanatical group led by Reverend Jeremiah. The novel explores their desperate fight for safety and survival in the post-apocalyptic landscape of Georgia.
Jay Bonansinga, in “Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead: Return to Woodbury,” takes readers back to the dangerous world of the zombie apocalypse. The story centers on a survivor named Lilly Caul as she struggles to rebuild her life in the shattered community of Woodbury.
Facing threats from both the undead and the living, Lilly finds herself in a fight for survival that tests her courage and trust in others. The book explores the fragile hope of rebuilding a safe haven in a world that seems determined to destroy it.
The golf-themed mystery “Amen Corner” by Rick Shefchik takes place in Augusta, Georgia, during the Masters Tournament. Ex-cop Sam Skarda investigates a series of murders targeting individuals connected to the tournament, exposing dark motives and long-held secrets.
The story blends the high-stakes world of professional golf with a gripping investigation.
The book “Chiefs” by Stuart Woods follows the lives of three police chiefs in a small Georgia town called Delano over several decades. It begins in the 1920s with the town’s first chief, who discovers a murdered boy and starts an investigation that spans generations.
The story traces how this case impacts the town’s people, secrets, and history, weaving through shifts in power and societal changes.
“Death in Bloodhound Red” by Virginia Lanier is about Jo Beth Sidden, a tough and independent bloodhound trainer based in the Georgia swamps.
She’s hired to search for missing people using her skilled dogs, but her life takes a dangerous turn when she becomes entangled in a murder case.
As she faces threats from her abusive ex-husband and navigates the murky secrets of the rural community, Jo Beth shows resilience and a unique bond with her dogs that keeps the story moving.
The novel “A Feast of Snakes” by Harry Crews takes readers to Mystic, Georgia, a small, grimy town where chaos and violence bubble beneath the surface. The story focuses on Joe Lon Mackey, a former high school football star whose once-promising life has unraveled.
As the town gears up for its annual Rattlesnake Roundup, a celebration drenched in wild festivities and dark undercurrents, secrets and tensions explode, leading to shocking events.
The book paints a raw and brutal picture of life in rural Georgia, exposing the desperation of its characters.
“Paris Trout” by Pete Dexter tells the story of a racist and violent shopkeeper in a small Georgia town who murders a young Black girl over a debt.
The novel explores the fallout from his crime, as the townspeople grapple with their own morals and the prejudice that shapes their lives.
The tension builds through the interactions of Paris with his wife and the lawyer assigned to his case, exposing deep flaws in his character and those around him.
Alice Walker’s “The Third Life of Grange Copeland” follows the life of Grange, an impoverished Black tenant farmer in the rural South. The story spans three generations, showing how poverty and racism shape his choices and relationships.
Grange struggles with anger and regret but seeks redemption through his grandson, forging a bond that offers hope amidst hardship.