5 best novels set in New Jersey
New Jersey...what comes to your mind when you hear this name? The busy boardwalks, balmy coastline, decades-old diners, or perhaps college towns steeped with history and charm. Literature set in New Jersey spans across various genres, transporting readers to this diverse cultural and geographic landscape. Each street corner, bridge, or diner painted in these pages, opens a whole new world of local color, immersing readers into the life of its residents - a true reflection of the Garden State's spirit.
Drown
By Junot Díaz
How it fits the "novels set in New Jersey" vibe: Set in the heart of New Jersey's communities and streets, the novel is an exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of becoming an adult. A realistic portrayal of the Dominican American experience.
4.5 / 5 Stars on Google Books
Publisher: Penguin
Page Count: 228
Published Date: 1997-07-01
American Pastoral
By Philip Roth
How it fits the "novels set in New Jersey" vibe: This novel focuses on the life of successful Jewish American businessman and former high school star athlete, Seymour Levov, whose life deteriorates when his daughter becomes a terrorist during the Vietnam War protests. The story is set in Newark, New Jersey.
Publisher: Random House
Page Count: 55
Published Date: 1998
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (Pulitzer Prize Winner)
By Junot Díaz
How it fits the "novels set in New Jersey" vibe: The narrative follows Oscar – a Dominican American overweight kid growing up in New Jersey who is obsessed with science fiction and fantasy novels, and with falling in love, providing a unique representation of the Garden State.
Publisher: Penguin
Page Count: 370
Published Date: 2008-09-02
The Catcher in the Rye
By J.D. Salinger
How it fits the "novels set in New Jersey" vibe: While not completely set in New Jersey, Salinger's protagonist Holden Caulfield is from the state and the landmark novel encompasses the suburban ennui of the Garden State.
Publisher: Little, Brown
Published Date: 2019-12-03
Fourth of July Creek
By Smith Henderson
How it fits the "novels set in New Jersey" vibe: The novel provides a gritty portrayal of New Jersey in the 1980s. While not entirely set in the state, key events and the main character's early life are significantly influenced by its dark, urban atmosphere.
Publisher: Harper Collins
Page Count: 480
Published Date: 2014-05-27