Michigan In Fiction: 5 Books That Showcase The State’s Unique Charm

We all love to see movies or television shows that are set in Michigan. Even if they're set in fictional places, it's still cool to see Michigan get a mention on the big or small screen.

But, if you're like me and you love a good book - there are a ton of them out there that are set right here in The Mitten.

From Detroit to the Upper Peninsula, and everywhere in between, books about Michigan can make you feel like you've experienced the entire state even if you've never been here.

While there are probably hundreds of literary works that are set in Michigan, I wanted to take the time to highlight five of them that I think will tickle your fancy.

The Time Traveler's Wife

This one has been out there for a while and was even adapted into a movie starring Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana back in 2009. The story is a little bit love and a little bit science fiction as it tells the love story of Henry and Clare and also Henry's strange disorder that causes him to randomly travel through time.

Station Eleven

This one is partially set in Michigan, but a side of Michigan we've never seen (yet) - post-apocalyptic Michigan. (The apocalypse, FYI, is caused by a swine flu pandemic that they refer to as the "Georgia flu.") It tells the tale of a group of survivors, all actors, who travel around the Great Lakes Region and perform plays for other survivors.

The novel was adapted into a mini-series in 2021.

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The Virgin Suicides

This book, set in 1970s Grosse Pointe, tells the story of five sisters. The Lisbon girls have grown up in a very strict Catholic household and are a bit of a mystery to the group of boys that lives in their neighborhood (who serve as the narrators of the story.) The book tells the tale of the deaths of all five of the girls over a very short time period.

The book was adapted into a movie starring Kirsten Dunst in 1999.

The Marsh King's Daughter

This book, set in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, was written by Karen Dionne. Karen grew up near Detroit and later moved to the Upper Peninsula with her husband. The book isn't set in a specific town, just "the marshlands". It follows the story of a woman, Helena Pelletier, who grew up in the marsh with her mother and father. She later learned that her father had actually kidnapped her mother and that she was a product of that kidnapping. Helena has to return to the marsh to help police after her father kills two guards and escapes from prison.

The book was also adapted into a movie which was released in 2023 and stars Daisy Ridley.

READ MORE: 9 Famous People You May Not Know Were Buried in Michigan

Middlesex

This book, partially set in and around Detroit, tells the story of Calliope Stephanides, a Greek immigrant with an intersex condition. As the story unfolds, Calliope transitions to Cal and fully embraces his male identity.

This book was written by Jeffrey Eugenides, the same author who penned The Virgin Suicides.

The Firekeeper's Daughter

This book, set in Sault Ste. Marie, tells the story of Daunis Fontaine. Daunis is half-native and half-white and finds that she has a hard time fitting in both with the people of her hometown and those who live on the nearby reservation.

Daunis witnesses her friend being murdered, which spirals into her becoming involved in the FBI's investigation of a new drug (by working undercover).

Which Other Michigan-Set Books Should I Read?

There are tons of other books set in the state, but, for now, these are the ones that I've personally read. Have any suggestions for other books that are based in Michigan that I should read and highlight? Shoot me an email and let me know!

And if TV is more your thing, check out these television shows that were all set right here in Michigan.