The vast landscapes, the rugged beauty, and the rich history of Idaho have inspired many an author to set their tales amidst its scenic backdrops and cultural tapestry.
Here, look at novels that bring the state’s essence to life, telling stories of love, struggle, growth, and dreams.
Denis Johnson’s “Train Dreams” is a haunting and lyrical novella that captures the spirit of the American West in the early 20th century.
This tale centers around Robert Grainier, a day laborer in the Idaho Panhandle, who endures the trials and tribulations of a rapidly changing America.
Through sparse, powerful prose, Johnson weaves a narrative that encompasses the construction of railroads, the devastation of wildfires, and the elusive dream of a simpler life.
This novella, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, is a vivid, compact epic that reflects on the notions of isolation and connection, set against the vast, wild landscape of Idaho.
Ruth Ozeki’s “All Over Creation” is a provocative exploration of the intersecting lives of characters in a small Idaho farming community.
The novel follows the story of Yumi Fuller, a rebellious woman who, after a 25-year absence, returns to her hometown and to her aging parents.
Amid her personal struggles, the narrative expands to include a colorful cast of characters, including environmental activists and local farmers, who are all embroiled in a battle over genetically modified potatoes.
Ozeki gracefully tackles themes of family, identity, and the ethics of modern agriculture, enshrouding her readers in the rich fields and complex social fabric of Idaho.
Set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, “The Man Who Fell in Love with the Moon” is an inventive novel by Tom Spanbauer that blends historical fact with vivid imagination.
The story unfolds in a small Idaho town and follows the life of Shed, a half-Indian bisexual boy who is searching for his identity and connection to others.
With its raw and evocative depiction of life in the American West, this coming-of-age tale challenges traditional understandings of love, sexuality, and race, all within the larger-than-life setting of Idaho’s untamed landscapes.
Wallace Thurman’s “The Blacker the Berry” is a seminal work in African American literature that deals with the theme of colorism within the black community.
Set partly in Boise, Idaho, the novel follows the life of Emma Lou Morgan, a young dark-skinned woman who struggles with discrimination and acceptance due to her complexion.
Although this novel moves beyond Idaho as Emma Lou migrates in pursuit of belonging, the time she spends in the state shapes her experiences and sets the stage for her journey.
Thurman’s candid exploration of societal prejudices—set against the relatively uncommon backdrop of Idaho for such themes—makes for a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Ruthanne Lum McCunn’s “Thousand Pieces of Gold” is based on the true story of Lalu Nathoy, later known as Polly Bemis, a young Chinese woman who is sold into slavery and brought to America during the Gold Rush era.
Transported to an Idaho mining town, Polly’s poignant struggle for freedom and respect illuminates the often untold experiences of Chinese immigrants in the American West.
McCunn paints a vivid portrait of Idaho’s frontier days, where the harsh realities of mining life blend with the enduring hope for a better future.
Anthony Doerr’s “Cloud Cuckoo Land” is a novel of impressive scope and ambition that interweaves multiple narratives spanning different times and places, with one of its threads firmly planted in Idaho.
This tale connects the lives of an orphan living in 15th-century Constantinople to a diverse cast of characters in present-day Idaho, including a widowed octogenarian, a teenage idealist, and a young, troubled veteran.
Doerr’s exquisite storytelling showcases the natural beauty and community spirit of small-town Idaho, while also reflecting on the power and endurance of stories themselves.