New Hampshire may be modest in size, but its presence in the literary world is anything but small.
Follow us as we explore some of the most memorable novels set in New Hampshire.
Grace Metalious’ explosive novel, “Peyton Place,” ripped through the tranquil veneer of small-town America when it was released in 1956.
Set in the fictional town of Peyton Place, inspired by Gilmanton, New Hampshire, the book exposes the sordid underbelly of seemingly idyllic life.
The novel became a bestseller and was a cultural phenomenon due to its frank discussions of sexuality, domestic abuse, and hypocrisy.
Despite the controversy, or perhaps because of it, “Peyton Place” secured its place in the literary canon and opened up dialogues about the untold realities of American life.
One of John Irving’s most beloved works, “A Prayer for Owen Meany,” tells the story of the titular character, an extraordinary boy convinced that he is an instrument of God.
Set primarily in the fictional town of Gravesend, New Hampshire, the novel follows the friendship between Owen and the narrator, John Wheelwright, exploring themes of fate, faith, and destiny.
Irving’s New Hampshire provides a backdrop for a profound exploration of friendship, a narrative that grapples with the metaphysical, leaving readers to reflect on the larger questions of life.
Anita Shreve’s gripping novel, “The Weight of Water,” alternates between two narratives, one set in the late 19th century and the other in the present day, both linked by tragedy and the forbidding isolation of the Isles of Shoals off the coast of New Hampshire.
The contemporary story follows a photographer investigating the historic murders of two women, while the parallel tale recounts the events leading up to the crime.
Through evocative descriptions and a haunting atmosphere, Shreve weaves a tale of jealousy, betrayal, and the mysteries that persist in the wake of violence.
Another of Shreve’s acclaimed novels, “The Pilot’s Wife,” also uses New Hampshire as its backdrop, this time to tell the story of Kathryn Lyons, whose life is turned upside down by the sudden death of her husband in a plane crash.
As Kathryn seeks the truth about the catastrophe that took her husband, she uncovers layers of secrets that challenge everything she thought she knew about her marriage.
The coastal New Hampshire setting serves as a stark landscape against which Kathryn’s personal turmoil and revelations play out.
Ben H. Winters’ “The Last Policeman” presents an unconventional narrative—a pre-apocalyptic police procedural set in Concord, New Hampshire.
As an asteroid threatens to end life on Earth, Detective Hank Palace remains determined to do his job.
This novel combines the ticking clock of impending doom with a murder mystery, creating a tension that examines human nature in the face of annihilation while paying homage to the steadfast character of New Hampshire’s residents.
Continuing the saga, “Countdown City,” the sequel to “The Last Policeman,” further delves into the pre-apocalyptic world Winters has imagined.
With the asteroid drawing ever closer, Detective Palace faces another case in a society that’s falling apart.
The once-structured city of Concord and the surrounding areas are now a landscape of desperation and lawlessness, providing a stark contrast to the New Hampshire readers may recognize.
Through winter’s lens, the state’s towns and wilds become stages for an exploration of morality when the end seems nigh.
Joan Blos’ “A Gathering of Days” is a historical fiction novel that gives voice to 14-year-old Catherine Hall, a girl living in New Hampshire in the 1830s.
Presented as a diary, the book offers detailed insight into the daily life, customs, and societal norms of the time.
Blos’ nuanced portrayal of rural New Hampshire provides an intimate glimpse into the past, giving readers a sense of the trials and tribulations of early American life.
Elizabeth Yates’ Newbery Medal-winning book, “Amos Fortune, Free Man,” tells the poignant true story of an African prince who was captured and brought to America as a slave.
Eventually gaining his freedom, Amos Fortune became a respected member of the community in Jaffrey, New Hampshire.
This biographical novel celebrates Amos’ resilience and the impact he had on the community, highlighting the state’s unique role in his extraordinary life.
Joël Dicker’s “The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair” is a literary thriller that delves into a decades-old mystery in the fictional town of Somerset, New Hampshire.
When a young writer sets out to uncover the truth about his mentor’s involvement in the disappearance of a teenage girl, he unravels a complex web of love, lies, and hidden motives.
Dicker’s novel paints the small New Hampshire town as both charming and claustrophobic, the perfect setting for a tale of intrigue and scandal.
In “Nineteen Minutes,” Jodi Picoult takes readers to the fictional town of Sterling, New Hampshire, where a school shooting devastates a community.
This gripping novel examines the events leading up to the tragedy and its aftermath, exploring complex themes such as bullying, parenthood, and the quest for justice.
The stark reality of the events contrasts with the familiar tranquility usually associated with New Hampshire, sparking conversation on contemporary social issues.
Picoult’s “Salem Falls” is another riveting narrative anchored in New Hampshire.
The story follows Jack St. Bride, a former teacher starting anew in the small town of Salem Falls after serving time for a wrongful conviction of sexual assault.
When Jack’s past comes back to haunt him, he becomes embroiled in new accusations, and the town becomes a battleground of rumor, suspicion, and the quest for truth.
New Hampshire’s tight-knit communities provide the perfect setting for a story that probes the dynamics of reputation and redemption.
“The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon” by Stephen King is a psychological horror novel that sees nine-year-old Trisha McFarland lost in the New Hampshire forest after straying from her family on a hiking trip.
What follows is a harrowing tale of survival and terror as Trisha, guided by her love for baseball and her imaginary protector, the Red Sox closing pitcher Tom Gordon, navigates the wilderness while something sinister seems to be tracking her.
King captures the wild, intimidating beauty of the New Hampshire woods, which becomes a character unto itself.
Stephen King’s “Doctor Sleep” is the sequel to his iconic novel “The Shining,” featuring a now-adult Dan Torrance.
Dan’s journey to redeem himself after a troubled past leads him to the small town of Frazier, New Hampshire, where he uses his psychic “shining” powers to provide comfort to dying patients.
However, his newfound peace is challenged when he encounters a young girl with a powerful shine and a predatory cult that feeds on children like her.
King’s New Hampshire setting provides a serene backdrop that starkly contrasts with the dark supernatural forces at play.
Rodman Philbrick’s young adult novel “Freak the Mighty” tells the inspirational tale of an unlikely friendship between two boys, one physically disabled but brilliant, the other large and learning-disabled.
Set in a fictional version of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the narrative showcases the strength of camaraderie and the power of imagination as the two protagonists embark on quests that echo those of the legendary King Arthur, whose tales they adore.
Philbrick embeds the heartwarming story within the recognizable features of modern New Hampshire life.
Published in 1870, “The Story of a Bad Boy” by Thomas Bailey Aldrich is a semi-autobiographical novel that predates Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and is considered one of the first in the “bad boy” genre.
Aldrich’s story takes place in the town of Rivermouth (modeled after Portsmouth, New Hampshire), where the protagonist, Tom Bailey, experiences a series of boyhood adventures.
Rivermouth, with its white church steeples and quaint New England ambiance, offers a nostalgic portrait of a more innocent era in New Hampshire’s past.