THE BOOKS THAT SHAPED AMERICA

Discover Ten Iconic Novels Influenced By U.S. States & Cities!

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It’s no wonder that America has inspired a myriad of iconic authors, including 15 Nobel Prize winners (and counting). This amazing country offers unique landscapes fertile for the imagination, including both the wonders of rural life as well as the bubbling excitement of metropolitan cities.

We have selected ten timeless classics on which American states and cities are not just the background on which the story takes place, but rather a full character in their own right. Be sure to add these to your reading list!

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John Kennedy Toole’s post-humous novel is a hysterical depiction of the misadventures of Ignatius J. Reilly, a lazy and misanthropic man-child looking to impose his medievalist views on the modern world. His search for a job turns into a quest of epic proportions, fueled by his wild demeanor and quirky antics.

While Ignatius is central to this novel, it could also be said that Toole wrote "A Confederacy of Dunces" as a love letter to his beloved New Orleans. His characters are outlandish and eccentric, but are also a product of the colorful charm the "Birthplace of Jazz" has to offer.

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Holden Caufield, the main character and narrator of this J.D. Salinger coming-of-age novel, is a troubled teenager who wanders around New York City after being expelled from his boarding school. The story takes place over a single day, on which Holden strolls through Central Park, attends a play at the Biltmore Theatre, and ice skates in Rockefeller Center.

"The Catcher in the Rye" is considered by many to be an essential read, and is praised for its groundbreaking way of describing teenage rebellion and angst. While New York City seems like a cruel and unforgiving place for Holden, Salinger also goes out of his way to describe this city’s beauty and magnificence.

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Let’s continue with another classic book that features New Orleans. Tennesse Williams named his legendary play after the Desire streetcar line that ran half a block away from his apartment on Toulouse Street, in New Orleans’ beautiful French Quarter.

The double meaning in the play’s title, referring to both the iconic streetcar as well as to the idea that desire is a driving force, shows how this iconic piece of literature could only have been conceived in such a stunning city.

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Author Hunter S. Thompson is considered to be the father of "gonzo" journalism and his 1971 novel "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" is a clear example of this: a fast-paced and at times surreal descent onto "Sin City". The movie is the basis of a 1998 movie starring Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro, considered now to be a cult classic.

Thompson’s book is based on two trips he took with Oscar Zeta Acosta in 1971. The author describes those frenzied nights of driving around Las Vegas and manically writing in a hotel room. The flashing lights and countless sources of entertainment that Las Vegas is known for add another layer of craziness to this already relentless whirlwind of a book.

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If you have a friend from San Francisco (or if you are a resident of this wonderful place yourself), you might know that some locals simply refer to San Francisco as "The City". If you didn’t know this fact, you might now realize that Armistead Maupin’s series of novels "Tales of the City" aren’t just about urban life in general, but rather a beautiful depiction of the "Golden City."

Maupin's books were first serialized in The San Francisco Chronicle and The San Francisco Examiner, and they revolve around the life of a group of friends living in this city. The first book of the series was published in 1978, while the ninth was released in 2014, and a tenth one is scheduled to be published in 2024.

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While New Orleans is known as "The Birthplace of Jazz", it can’t be denied that Harlem’s influence helped jazz evolve into the groundbreaking genre we know now. Like the music that gives this book its name, Toni Morrison’s 1992 novel "Jazz" is a nonlinear and colorful exploration of the Harlem neighborhood.

The story revolves around Joe and Violet Trace, and their struggles with everyday life in 1920s Harlem. Morrison’s book is now considered an American classic, by a Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author.

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You might be more familiar with Stanley Kubrick's flawless film adaptation, but Stephen King’s 1977 novel "The Shining" marked a turning point in the history of horror literature. The story centers around Jack Torrance, an alcoholic aspiring writer who accepts a job as winter caretaker of the fictional Overlook Hotel, in Colorado. Jack and his family are haunted both by his addiction and by the supernatural beings that reside in the hotel.

While the Overlook is a fictional location, it was inspired by a visit from King and his wife to the Stanley Hotel, located in Rocky Mountain National Park. While supernatural dangers are always present, Colorado’s ruthless winters and the hotel’s isolation add another threat to the family’s safety.

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Truman Capote’s "In Cold Blood" is considered to be the first non-fiction novel in history. The book describes the events that took place in 1959 in Holcomb, Kansas, in which the Clutter family was murdered during a home invasion.

Capote masterfully reconstructs not only how the crime took place, but the personalities and background of both victims and criminals. In that regard, the way the author masterfully depicts the typical way of life of a town like Holcomb, Kansas helps paint a picture of these real-life characters.

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Similar to "The Shining", Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 novel "Gone with the Wind" might be better known by its 1939 adaptation, starring Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, and Clark Gable. In any case, both mediums tell the story of Scarlett O’Hara, the daughter of a Georgia plantation owner, and the love triangle she is involved with.

This novel is heavily ingrained in pop culture and has been referenced constantly in movies and TV shows. Mitchell’s portrayal of 19th century Georgia (particularly, Atlanta and Clayton County) is among the reasons why this novel is considered one of the biggest examples of American historical fiction.

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We end this article with one of the cornerstones of modern American literature. William Faulkner’s "The Sound and the Fury" describes the life of the Compson family, a Mississippi aristocratic family in decline. The author’s magnificent use of the stream-of-consciousness technique allowed him to recreate the human thought process in an astonishingly accurate manner.

Faulkner sets most of "The Sound and the Fury" in Yoknapatawpha County, a fictional Mississippi county on which a lot of his novels are based. However, most critics agree that Yoknapatawpha was largely based in Lafayette County, on which Faulkner spent most of his life.

Cool your vocab

What is a "Moonglade"? 10 uncommon summer words to impress your friends

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Although summer is coming to an end, we are not quite ready to let go yet. There are some pretty English words that, while part of our dictionary, are little known and rarely make their way into everyday conversations. You might have felt the cool touch of "spoondrift," enjoyed watching the "alpenglow," or felt a little "languorous," but you probably have never heard these terms. If you want to discover these and other unfamiliar summer-related words, read on!

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Let's start with a term that covers everything summer: "aestival." This word is an adjective that describes anything related to the summer season, whether it's activities, sensations, processes, or more.

This term comes from Latin. Aestas is the Latin word for "summer," and aestivus means "of summer" or "pertaining to summer." In the 16th century, this word passed into English as "aestival" and is still used today, specifically in scientific contexts, such as biology research.

A clear example of the use of this word would be "The biologist noted the aestival patterns of the migratory birds, which returned to the region during the summer months." Or, more informally, we could just say this is an aestival article.

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One of the joys of summer is the scenery: the rich colors of flowers that have blossomed from spring and the rich, bright green of the summer grass and foliage. If you want to wow everyone by elegantly describing the backyard of your summer home, English dictionaries have an adjective that will come in handy.

"Verdant" is used to describe the lush, green vegetation or the vibrant freshness of plants. It comes from the Latin viridis, which means "green" or "fresh." The word entered English around the 16th century, and today, it still retains the meaning associated with the freshness of the color green. Over time, it has also taken on metaphorical meanings, describing someone who is inexperienced.

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While this is a word with a very, very specific meaning, it's perfect for describing moments at the beach. So, if you find yourself by the ocean, you might get the chance to use it!

Have you ever heard of "spoondrift"? Even if you haven't heard the word before, you're probably familiar with what it describes. "Spoondrift" is a noun for the spray or fine mist of seawater that's blown off the tops of waves by the wind. Beautiful, isn't it?

The word was coined in English in the 19th century, and while it's not part of many Americans' everyday conversations, it's a nice term to incorporate into your summer vocabulary, don't you think?

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While, in recent years, this word has made a comeback, the truth is many people still aren't familiar with the meaning of this term.

"Petrichor" not only has a beautiful sound but also describes a lovely scent you've probably experienced. We're talking about that fresh, earthy aroma that rises after a summer rain.

The term was coined relatively recently, in the 1960s, by combining the Greek words petra, meaning "stone," and ichor, the mythical fluid that flows in the veins of the gods in Greek mythology.

This aroma specifically occurs when rain falls on dry soil or after a period of warm, dry weather. It's produced by a mix of oils and soil compounds that evaporate into the air.

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This is the perfect adjective for summer days. When you're on vacation and the heat is just too much, it's the perfect time to relax, whether chilling in bed with the air conditioning cranked up or drifting on an inflatable raft in the pool.

"Languorous" describes that state of relaxation, typical of those lazy, hot days when doing anything feels like too much effort. It can also be associated with the lack of energy produced by the oppressive heat.

Languorous comes from the Latin languere, meaning "to be weak" or "to be languid," and entered English around the 18th century.

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Just say this word out loud, and you'll want to use it in all your conversations.

"Effulgent" is a lovely adjective that describes something radiant, something that shines brightly, whether in a literal sense or metaphorically. This term is perfect to describe the bright blue of a summer sky, the sunshine sparkle on the water, or the glowing smile of someone enjoying the season.

"Effulgent" comes from the Latin effulgere, which means "to shine forth," and entered English between the 15th and 16th centuries, retaining most of its meaning.

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This is one of those words with a very specific meaning, but it can be incredibly useful at the right moment (and it's undeniably beautiful).

Picture a warm summer evening at a hotel with a perfect view of the mountains, where you can watch the sunset right from your room. Poetic, right? That's the moment when the word "alpenglow" fits perfectly. This noun refers to that reddish light that glows over the mountainsides during sunrise or sunset. We can't help but envy anyone lucky enough to witness such a stunning scene!

This word is different from the rest on this list; it doesn't come from Latin or Greek but from the German word Alpenglühen, a combination of Alpen (referring to the Alps or mountains in general) and glühen ("to glow").

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When it comes to lovely summer scenery, the next word is perfect for describing the beauty of those spectacular moments.

It's late, the sunset has faded, and the reddish and pink hues have left the sky, making way for the protagonist of the night: the moon. Admired by poets and painters, the moon has fascinated humans for centuries, and the word "moonglade" may come in handy to describe our gorgeous natural satellite.

"Moonglade" emerged in the 19th century and refers specifically to the reflection of the moon's glow drawn on a water surface, whether it's a pool, a lake, or the ocean.

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Sky and sea are a perfect summer combination, right? Especially when their colors perfectly match.

The clear, bright blue of the sky has a name: cerulean. This term describes that special shade of blue, often seen in the cloudless summer skies over the beach.

"Cerulean" comes from the Latin caeruleus, which means exactly "sky blue." While the Latin term is quite old, it only entered English around the 19th century and has its most frequent uses in the artistic field. Will you use it the next time you contemplate the sky?

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Now, let's talk about one of summer's most pleasant experiences: that gentle breeze that provides a refreshing break on those hot days. And yes, we have a special word for it.

"Zephyr" is the noun that refers specifically to that soft, gentle breeze, and it has a very interesting origin. The term comes from the Greek Zephyros, the name of the god of the west wind, known as the most favorable wind and associated with the breezes of spring and early summer.

The term entered English through Latin in the 14th century, and from the start, it was associated with its current meaning.