Literary Nantucket

Few places of its size have inspired as much literature as Nantucket. From the epic whaling tales that shaped American literature to contemporary beach reads that top bestseller lists every summer, this small island thirty miles off the Massachusetts coast has captured the imagination of writers for nearly two centuries. Whether you are a devoted reader seeking the settings of your favorite novels or a literary traveler hoping to walk in the footsteps of famous authors, Nantucket offers a uniquely bookish experience.

No discussion of Nantucket literature can begin anywhere but with Herman Melville's masterpiece. Though Melville himself spent only a brief time on the island, Moby-Dick (1851) immortalized Nantucket as the spiritual home of American whaling and its legendary captains.

The novel opens with Ishmael and Queequeg arriving on Nantucket, where they sign aboard the ill-fated Pequod under the command of Captain Ahab. Melville's description of Nantucket captures its singular character: "Nantucket! Take out your map and look at it... a mere hillock, an elbow of sand; all beach, without a background."

Melville drew heavily from real Nantucket history. The novel was inspired in part by the true story of the Essex, a Nantucket whaling ship struck and sunk by a sperm whale in 1820. The ship's first mate, Owen Chase, wrote an account of the disaster that Melville read and annotated extensively. You can see exhibits about the Essex and other Nantucket whaling vessels at the Whaling Museum, where Melville's connection to the island is explored in depth.

Visiting Melville's Nantucket Today

While Melville's Nantucket was already becoming a memory when he wrote, many locations mentioned in the novel still exist. The waterfront where Ishmael would have arrived remains the heart of downtown. The Whaling Museum on Broad Street houses an extensive collection that brings the world of Moby-Dick to life, including a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton and artifacts from the Essex disaster.

If Melville gave Nantucket its literary mythology, Nathaniel Philbrick has become its premier chronicler of historical truth. A Nantucket resident since 1986, Philbrick has written extensively about the island and its maritime heritage, earning both critical acclaim and popular success.

His breakthrough book, In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex (2000), won the National Book Award and was adapted into a major motion picture directed by Ron Howard. The book provides a harrowing account of the same Essex disaster that inspired Melville, drawing on newly discovered historical documents to tell the full story of the crew's desperate struggle for survival.

Philbrick's other Nantucket works include Away Off Shore: Nantucket Island and Its People, 1602-1890, a comprehensive history of the island, and Abram's Eyes: The Native American Legacy of Nantucket Island, which explores the island's pre-colonial history. His writing has done more than any other contemporary author to illuminate Nantucket's complex past.

Following Philbrick's Footsteps

Philbrick often speaks at local events and book signings, particularly during the Nantucket Book Festival. The Nantucket Historical Association, which he has worked with extensively, offers walking tours that cover many of the historical sites featured in his books. The NHA Research Library on Fair Street contains many of the primary sources Philbrick used in his research.

For contemporary readers, no author is more synonymous with Nantucket than Elin Hilderbrand. A resident of the island for over two decades, Hilderbrand has set more than 25 novels on Nantucket, earning her the unofficial title of "Queen of Beach Reads." Her books have sold millions of copies worldwide and consistently debut at the top of the New York Times bestseller list.

What sets Hilderbrand apart is her intimate knowledge of island life. Her novels are not merely set on Nantucket; they are steeped in it. Readers encounter real restaurants, beaches, and landmarks throughout her work. The Blue Bistro features a fictional restaurant inspired by the island's dining scene. Summer of '69 captures Nantucket during a pivotal year in American history. The Hotel Nantucket reimagines the island's hospitality industry with a ghost story twist.

Hilderbrand's books serve as a kind of insider's guide to contemporary Nantucket. She writes about Surfside Beach, the Galley Beach restaurant, Bartlett's Farm, and dozens of other local favorites. Many visitors arrive on the island clutching her latest novel, ready to visit the locations they have been reading about. She writes about Surfside Beach, the Galley Beach restaurant, Bartlett's Farm, and dozens of other local favorites.

An Elin Hilderbrand Island Tour

Devoted fans can spend an entire vacation visiting sites from Hilderbrand's novels. Start with breakfast at Black-Eyed Susan's, a frequent mention in her books. Drive out to Surfside or Cisco beaches, settings for countless summer scenes. Visit Bartlett's Farm, which appears regularly in her work. End the day at a waterfront restaurant like Galley Beach or Cru, the kinds of establishments her characters frequent.

No literary tour of Nantucket is complete without a visit to the Nantucket Atheneum, one of the oldest public libraries in America. Founded in 1834, this Greek Revival building on India Street has been the intellectual heart of the island for nearly two centuries.

The Atheneum's history is as remarkable as its architecture. In 1841, Frederick Douglass delivered his first major antislavery address here, just three years after escaping slavery. Other notable speakers have included Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Lucretia Mott. The library was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1846 but quickly rebuilt, and it has served the community continuously ever since.

Today, the Atheneum hosts an active program of author events, lectures, and literary programming. The Great Hall retains its historic character, with high ceilings, tall windows, and the quiet atmosphere of a serious reading room. The collection includes rare books and historical documents related to Nantucket history, as well as a robust selection of contemporary fiction featuring every Elin Hilderbrand novel.

Summer visitors should check the Atheneum's event calendar. The library hosts author readings, book discussions, and special programs throughout the season. Admission is free, and the air-conditioned reading room offers a welcome respite on hot summer days.

Each June, the Nantucket Book Festival transforms the island into a celebration of literature. Founded in 2011, the festival has grown into one of New England's premier literary events, attracting bestselling authors, distinguished historians, and passionate readers for a long weekend of programs and events.

The festival typically takes place in mid-June, with events scattered across the island. Past participants have included household names like Nathaniel Philbrick (who helped found the festival), Ron Chernow, Elin Hilderbrand, Mary Oliver, and dozens of other acclaimed writers. Events range from intimate readings to panel discussions to book signings.

Most festival events are free, though some special programs require tickets. The Saturday book fair on the library lawn features author signings, book sales, and activities for readers of all ages. The festival is also an excellent opportunity to explore Mitchell's Book Corner on Main Street, the island's beloved independent bookstore.

Explore Nantucket's literary heritage on foot with this walking tour of significant sites. The route covers approximately two miles through downtown and can be completed in two to three hours, depending on how long you linger at each stop.

Stop 1: Straight Wharf

Begin where literary visitors have arrived for centuries. Ishmael and Queequeg walked these docks in Moby-Dick, and countless Hilderbrand characters have stepped off the ferry here. Take in the harbor view before heading into town.

Stop 2: Mitchell's Book Corner

Walk up Main Street to Nantucket's beloved independent bookstore at 54 Main Street. Browse the extensive local section, featuring books by Nantucket authors and titles set on the island. The staff can recommend recent releases and local favorites.

Stop 3: Nantucket Atheneum

Continue to India Street to visit this historic library. Step into the Great Hall where Douglass, Emerson, and Thoreau once spoke. Check the events calendar for author readings during your visit.

Stop 4: Nantucket Whaling Museum

Head to Broad Street for the essential museum visit. Explore the world that inspired Moby-Dick and see artifacts from the Essex tragedy that Philbrick documented in In the Heart of the Sea.

Stop 5: Upper Main Street

Walk up Main Street past the Pacific Bank to see the grand captain's houses. These mansions, built with whaling fortunes, represent the prosperity that made Nantucket famous and figure in countless historical novels.

Stop 6: Fair Street

Explore the quiet lanes of Fair Street and the surrounding area, home to the NHA Research Library and some of the island's best-preserved historical architecture. This neighborhood appears frequently in historical fiction set on Nantucket.

Prepare for your visit or extend your Nantucket experience with these recommended reads, spanning from classic literature to contemporary beach reads.

Classic Literature

• Moby-Dick by Herman Melville - The great American novel, rooted in Nantucket's whaling heritage
• Miriam Coffin, or The Whale-Fishermen by Joseph C. Hart - An 1834 novel that predates Moby-Dick in exploring Nantucket whaling

History and Nonfiction

• In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick - National Book Award-winning account of the Essex disaster
• Away Off Shore by Nathaniel Philbrick - Comprehensive history of Nantucket from settlement to decline
• Abram's Eyes by Nathaniel Philbrick - The Native American history of Nantucket
• Nantucket: A History by Robert Gambee - Illustrated overview of island history

Contemporary Fiction

• The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand - Restaurant drama and summer romance
• Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand - A family saga set during a pivotal summer
• The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand - Ghost story meets hotel drama
• 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand - Epic love story spanning three decades
• Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand - A novelist watches her family from beyond

Mystery and Thriller

• The Merry Folger Nantucket Mystery Series by Francine Mathews - Detective series set on the island
• Death in Rough Water by Francine Mathews - Local detective investigates island crimes