Novels that represent Florida
1.Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston: Hurston’s most acclaimed novel is set in the town of Eatonville, Florida. The book is required reading in many high schools for its depiction of the life of a black woman in the 1930s. Main character Janie Crawford tells the story of her three marriages, the last of which ends in murder.
2.Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen: Hiaasen has made his career on farcical thrillers set in Florida, but Sick Puppy may be his greatest achievement. Behind all the silliness is a serious attention to environmental responsibility.
3.To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway: This is Hemingway’s only novel set in the United States, and director Howard Hawks claims that Hemingway told him it was his worst book. However, the book is recognized as a gritty crime story about a fishing boat captain who runs contraband between Cuba and Florida, and has been adapted for film three times.
4.Condominium by John D. Macdonald: Better known for his Travis McGee series (also set in Florida), this novel depicts life behind the scenes in a Sun Belt community in the path of a hurricane. Its dark reality has made it a classic among the current generation of Florida writers.
5.The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings: Rawling won the Pulitzer Prize for her depiction of life in the backwoods of Florida. The yearling is a young fawn named Flag adopted by the young protagonist, Jody Baxter.
6.Maria by Eugenia Price: This is the first novel in Price’s “Florida” trilogy, set in the 1700s after Spain relinquishes control of the state. Price weaves in a wonderful love story while accurately depicting the history of the region.
7.Shadow Country by Peter Matthiessen: Matthiessen originally published his Watson trilogy between 1990 and 1997. Ten years later, he released a single-volume version of the series, which won the 2008 National Book Award. Watson is a Florida sugarcane farmer who met his violent end at the hands of his neighbors.
8.Naked Came the Manatee by various: This work is a must-read for any fan of Florida literature, as 13 of the area’s best-known authors each contribute to it. Among their number are Carl Hiaasen, Dave Barry, Elmore Leonard, James W. Hall, Edna Buchanan, Les Standiford, and Paul Levine, along with six others.
9.Continental Drift by Russell Banks: Banks portrays the mystique of Florida through the story of Bob Dubois, who relocates his family from New Hampshire to Florida in search of a better life.
10.Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski: A popular children’s novel for over 60 years, Strawberry Girl is a timeless record of life for one young girl in Florida lake country.
