- “The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold: This emotionally intense novel is set in the suburbs of Philadelphia and explores themes of grief, loss, and healing.
- “Rabbit, Run” by John Updike: The first in Updike’s acclaimed “Rabbit” series, this novel is set in the fictional town of Brewer, Pennsylvania, and follows the life of Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom.
- “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh” by Michael Chabon: Set in Chabon’s hometown of Pittsburgh, this coming-of-age novel captures the city’s atmosphere in the 1980s.
- “The Shipping News” by Annie Proulx: While not entirely set in Pennsylvania, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel features the main character, Quoyle, who hails from the state and eventually returns to his ancestral home.
- “The Lovely Bones” by Jennifer Egan: Part of Egan’s interconnected novel “A Visit from the Goon Squad,” this chapter is set in Philadelphia and explores the music industry in the near future.
- “Beloved” by Toni Morrison: This searing novel, set in Cincinnati and partly in Pennsylvania, delves into the haunting legacy of slavery and its impact on the characters’ lives.
- “Empire Falls” by Richard Russo: Although primarily set in a fictional town in Maine, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel focuses on the protagonist’s Pennsylvania roots and explores themes of small-town life.
- “The Brothers Karamazov” by Fyodor Dostoevsky: While not exclusively set in Pennsylvania, a portion of this classic Russian novel takes place in the town of Skotoprigonyevsk in Pennsylvania.
- “Mystic River” by Dennis Lehane: While primarily set in Boston, this gripping crime novel features a subplot that takes place in the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- “Birdy” by William Wharton: This novel follows the friendship between two young men from Philadelphia after they return from the Vietnam War, highlighting the challenges they face with PTSD.
WANDERLIST: Ten famous novels set in Pennsylvania
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