Cape Books - Fiction for Adults Edition
Over the years, a great many writers have honed their craft on this spit of sand we call home. As a non-writer, it is easy for me to romanticize the effects of the location with its long, quiet, gray winters and bustling, high octane summers; however, I cannot pretend to understand how a place influences an artist and their craft. I do know, though, that some artists have captured the essence of Cape Cod so vividly, so accurately, that even those with deep Cape roots get swept into the story.
The Paper Palace
The Paper Palace is one such novel. Taking place in Back Woods (Wellfleet), this instant bestseller draws the reader into the morning-after dilemma facing Elle, a 53 year-old woman who has just catapulted her happily married life into chaos. Miranda Crowley Heller weaves evocative details of piney woods, winding paths, and deep kettle ponds with such ease that there is no question that she gets Wellfleet.
Little Monsters
If you liked The Paper Palace, be sure to pick up this summer’s hot novel and a staff favorite, Little Monsters by Adrienne Brodeur. Brodeur gives us gorgeous writing, family dysfunction, and, according to Good Morning America “... a long braid of a tale… set in a highly sensory way on the shores of Cape Cod, so much so you’ll feel like your feet are digging into wet summer sand.”
Widow’s War
Looking for something a bit less contemporary? Let Brewster author Sally Cabot Gunning take you back to eighteenth century Cape Cod with her “Satucket” series. Widow’s War brings the Brewster of yesterday to life. A briny dampness hangs over Lyddie Berry as she reckons with her husband’s death and the deprivation of autonomy that results. If you’re in the mood for historical fiction, a vivid Cape setting, and a well-rounded, gumption-filled character, this one's for you. Bonus: there are two additional books in the series and rumor has it that a fourth may be on the way.
For an extensive list of Cape Cod fiction, check out our Bookshop.org Cape Cod bookshelf.
