Anonymous
Post 07/27/2025 08:32     Subject: Most famous book set in every state?
what about Heartburn for DC?
Anonymous
Post 07/27/2025 08:20     Subject: Most famous book set in every state?
Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe iowas isn’t The Bridges of Madison County.
That ad masquerading as a website was ridiculous.


No way! That was chicklit schlock. A Thousand Acres won the Pulitzer. You sound like you haven’t read it.
Anonymous
Post 07/26/2025 13:07     Subject: Most famous book set in every state?
Anonymous wrote:AI hallucinated that list.


LOL you're probably spot on.
Anonymous
Post 07/26/2025 13:07     Subject: Most famous book set in every state?
Anonymous wrote:I think if you are using setting as the criteria for the list, the story should have something to do with or inform you in some way about the setting. If the same story could happen anywhere, then why bother listing by location?

So many better choices for PA that actually have something to do with the setting. Love "The Lovey Bones," but didn't even register the location of the story. I mean, "The Catcher in the Rye" is more famous and also set in PA, but could have been anywhere.

On the other hand, "Fences," "Baker Towers," "Fever 1793," "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh," "Out of this Furnace," "In the Valley of Decision," "The Signature of All Things," seem to have place as an important part of the story.


Completely agree.

BTW I loved Baker Towers. I haven't met a ton of people who have read that but it was such a great book.
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2025 17:52     Subject: Most famous book set in every state?
AI hallucinated that list.
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2025 17:52     Subject: Most famous book set in every state?
It just picked books that are set in those places. They’re all wrong.
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2025 17:42     Subject: Most famous book set in every state?
Would have loved desert solitaire or under the banner of heaven for Utah, but whatever.
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2025 15:36     Subject: Most famous book set in every state?
Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe iowas isn’t The Bridges of Madison County.
That ad masquerading as a website was ridiculous.

Agree
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2025 15:17     Subject: Most famous book set in every state?
Anonymous wrote:I would have thought Giant for Texas.


I would have assumed The Grapes of Wrath for Oklahoma.
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2025 15:07     Subject: Most famous book set in every state?
I can’t believe iowas isn’t The Bridges of Madison County.
That ad masquerading as a website was ridiculous.
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2025 14:20     Subject: Most famous book set in every state?
Anonymous wrote:Do we agree with this list? https://www.businessinsider.com/most-famous-book-set-in-every-state

I think it fails on the DMV choices.


I mean, it says "famous," not "best," so in that sense it's fine.
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2025 14:17     Subject: Most famous book set in every state?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Native Son by Richard Wright should be the Illinois book. It’s set in Chicago.

Alternatively, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansbury

A play.


Who cares? Plays are read, and not just used for theatre. That would be like leaving Shakespeare off of a UK based list.
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2025 14:17     Subject: Most famous book set in every state?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:All the King’s Men springs to mind for Louisiana.


Yeah that’s a better book than confederacy of dunces.

There’s so many good ones for Maine. Cider House Rules would be another good one.



The Cider House Rules came to mind for Maine, especially since there’s that recurring line about “princes of Maine, kings of New England.” Also, Blueberries for Sal, but I don’t know if children’s books count.
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2025 14:16     Subject: Most famous book set in every state?
Anonymous wrote:I actually like this thread. I cannot be the author of this list missed so many good books for some of the states. Still don’t comprehend Brokaw for South Dakota.


he was born there? But agree that SD has more historical significance and books that are associated with its history and culture.
Anonymous
Post 07/25/2025 13:42     Subject: Most famous book set in every state?
I actually like this thread. I cannot be the author of this list missed so many good books for some of the states. Still don’t comprehend Brokaw for South Dakota.