Pioneer Valley in fiction? (Amherst, Northampton: houses, purchase, school)

[elizag]

Hi. We're considering moving to the Pioneer Valley and I wondered if there are any recent books out there that are set in the region. I live in New Jersey and enjoy the Janet Evanovitch mysteries set in Trenton, and the Waldron Princeton University mysteries, among others. Anything comparable about the Amherst/Northampton area? Thanks
Eliza

[ontheroad]

The only book that comes to mind, immediately, is a book called House. I don't recall the author(s). It is set in the Valley and is among those books I've read that is unforgettable in plot, and timing. It is a simple plot: a bunch of guys building houses, but it provides all the background noise, good and bad, about living in the Valley, neighbours, friends, and more. If I find a better reference I'll post it.

Well, it was easier to find that I thought:

Amazon.com: House: Books: Tracy Kidder

While, it is non-fiction, it reads like fiction and among my favourites. I believe Kidder, the author, is a terrific read.

[elizag]

Thanks. Sounds like a great place to start. Eliza

[graymall]

American Odyssey by Brian Gelinas. The book is about a teenager that lives in "Barren Falls", a fictional town based on the town of Athol. The character in the book, along with some friends, hops a train out of the town, and runs into some adventurous troubles along a cross-country trip. It is a great read and I went to school in Athol with the author. It was published through Outskirts Press Inc. in Parker, Colo., and is currently available in paperback to readers on-line at, among others, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Borders.com, walmart.com and the publisher's Web site at Outskirts Press.

[devon123]

"Running With Scissors" never explicitly states that it is set in the Pioneer Valley, but the story it was based off of took place in Northampton. That book/movie illustrates the odder side of the Valley, but there are plenty of sane people here as well!

[elizag]

Good suggestions. I'm reading House and will check out the others. Suprised there isn't more. All you creative writers in the area need to get cracking! But it also tells me that this may be what I'm looking for-- a nice place without the extremes that make it easy to poke fun at in fiction, no Jersey jokes (that's where I am now) or big-city drama. Thanks.

[ontheroad]

After you posted your request, I asked around about other regional authors. I've found some, but most of the recommendations I've received are fiction mystery writers in New England, not the Valley. If I run into any specific to PV, I'll post again.

Hope you are enjoying House.

[BMGelinas]

Hello,

My name is Brian M. Gelinas, the author of the fictional novel "American Odyssey" that is mentioned above. For anyone who might be interested in my book, the following link will take you to an independent review on the Web site TeensReadToo.com: "www.teensreadtoo.com/American Odyssey".

I thank you in advance if you choose to purchase and read the novel, and look forward to any feedback.

- Brian M. Gelinas