Michigan in the Novel 1816-1996: An Annotated Bibliography (Great Lakes Books)

While I realize that MICHIGAN IN THE NOVEL, 1816-1996 is a reference book, and hence not exactly the kind of book one will "read" in the usual sense, it is nevertheless eminently readable. I have had this book for several years now and find myself coming back to it over and over again. Robert Beasecker, a librarian at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, has done the state of Michigan an invaluable favor in compiling this comprehensive list of novels which all are in some way connected to Michigan. I was pleased to find a favorite author from my boyhood here, James Oliver Curwood, an Owosso author. Also included are Michigan State University's triumvirate of young literary lions from the late fifties: Dan Gerber, Thomas show more McGuane, and Jim Harrison. The latter two have gone on to become established authors, while Gerber's output was somewhat hampered by tending to the family fortune. I was most gratified most recently, however, to discover Gerber's extremely fine novel, A VOICE FROM THE RIVER, which is included here. Another nearly forgotten, but now 'rediscovered' writer included here is the late Maritta Wolff, from Grass Lake, Michigan. Only recently I read and very much enjoyed her first novel, WHISTLE STOP, a bestseller in 1941.

There are hundreds of other books and writers listed here, of course, and I hope to 'rediscover' more of them over time. In the meantime, in a scant two years, this listing will be twenty years out of date, and there have probably been a LOT of novels with Michigan themes or settings in those past twenty years. Maybe Beasecker will update the bibliography with a new edition covering 1816-2016. Wow! A nice round figure, two hundred years. This is a terrific reference book for readers, particularly those who live in Michigan. Highly recommended. show less