Howard Frank Mosher

Howard Frank Mosher (1942-2017) was an American novelist best known for his works set in Vermont's remote Northeast Kingdom region. His fiction frequently explored themes of family loyalty, rural life, and the complex social dynamics of small New England communities. Mosher wrote eleven novels including "A Stranger in the Kingdom," "Where the Rivers Flow North," and "Northern Borders," several of which were adapted into films. His work was characterized by a blend of historical detail, regional folklore, and carefully observed portraits of Vermont's landscape and inhabitants. Throughout his career, Mosher received numerous accolades including the Literature Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the New England Book Award. His 2009 memoir "Walking to Gatlinburg" chronicled his battle with cancer while continuing to write, maintaining his focus on the craft until his death in 2017. His writing style combined elements of historical fiction with regional storytelling traditions, often incorporating real events and locations from Vermont's past. This attention to local detail and history helped establish him as one of New England's most significant regional authors.

Readers consistently highlight Mosher's ability to capture Vermont's landscape and culture with precise detail. Many note his talent for weaving historical events into compelling narratives while maintaining authenticity about rural New England life. What readers liked: - Rich character development and memorable personalities - Detailed descriptions of Vermont settings and seasons - Balance of humor and serious themes - Authentic portrayal of small-town dynamics - Integration of historical events into fiction What readers disliked: - Slow pacing in some novels - Complex storylines that can be hard to follow - Heavy use of regional dialect - Some find the rural focus limiting Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - A Stranger in the Kingdom: 4.0/5 (2,100+ ratings) - Where the Rivers Flow North: 3.9/5 (800+ ratings) - Northern Borders: 4.1/5 (600+ ratings) Amazon averages 4.3-4.6/5 across titles One reader noted: "Mosher captures Vermont's soul without romanticizing its hardships." Another commented: "His characters feel like people you've known your whole life."

Disappearances (1977) A tale set in 1930s Vermont about a father and son who venture into Canadian wilderness during Prohibition to save their family farm.

Marie Blythe (1983) Chronicles the life of a French Canadian woman in northern Vermont from childhood through old age, spanning the late 1800s to 1960s.

Where the Rivers Flow North (1984) A logger and his Native American companion resist the flooding of their land for a hydroelectric project in 1920s Vermont.

A Stranger in the Kingdom (1989) Murder mystery involving a black minister in a small Vermont town in 1952, exploring racial tensions and community dynamics.

Northern Borders (1994) Story of a young boy sent to live with his grandparents on their Kingdom County farm in 1948 Vermont.

The Fall of the Year (1999) Connected stories about a minister's son coming of age in a remote Vermont village in the 1950s.

The True Account (2003) Historical novel following two Vermonters who journey west during the California Gold Rush of 1849.

Waiting for Teddy Williams (2004) Tale of a young baseball player in Vermont whose destiny becomes intertwined with the Boston Red Sox.

On Kingdom Mountain (2007) Story of an eccentric woman defending her mountain inheritance against developers in 1930s Vermont.

Walking to Gatlinburg (2010) Civil War narrative about a Vermont teenager searching for his missing brother through the South in 1864.

God's Kingdom (2015) Coming-of-age story set in 1950s Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, exploring family secrets and local history.

Points North (2018) Final collection of linked stories about the inhabitants of Kingdom County, Vermont.

Annie Proulx writes about rural communities and harsh landscapes, particularly in New England and Wyoming. Her characters face similar economic and cultural challenges as Mosher's, with stories that blend historical events with regional folklore.

Ivan Doig chronicles life in Montana and the American West through multigenerational family sagas. His work shares Mosher's focus on small-town dynamics and the connection between people and their land.

Richard Russo tells stories set in declining New England mill towns with working-class characters. His narratives deal with family relationships and communities in transition, similar to Mosher's Vermont-based works.

Kent Haruf creates narratives centered in rural Colorado that explore interconnected lives in small communities. His plain-spoken style and focus on ordinary people facing life changes parallel Mosher's approach to storytelling.

Louise Erdrich writes about life in Native American communities in the northern United States through multiple generations. Her work shares Mosher's interest in regional history and the ways the past influences present-day lives.