The Blue Ridge Mountains have a long-standing reputation for inspiring creative arts. Made famous in the literary world by author Thomas Wolfe in the early 20th century, Asheville has drawn many writers with its vast, serene countryside, bustling downtown, and gilded, famously prosperous residents. Many Asheville natives become award-winning writers, and many writers flock to Asheville to take advantage of the inspirational aura of the Blue Ridge. In Asheville, these scribes have found a community and landscape that stimulates their talent. As Wolfe says: “the mountains were his masters.”
A LITERARY LANDSCAPE
Nestled in a breathtaking mountainous landscape, Asheville’s beauty inspires creativity of all kinds, not least of all literature. The pervasive and sprawling curves, hills and peaks have a magnetic pull for creative personalities, which has recently made Asheville top the charts for places to visit for music, art, crafts, drama and literature.
When considering the literary scene of Asheville, we land first and foremost on the city’s most renowned claim to literary fame: Thomas Wolfe. Namesake of the Thomas Wolfe Literary Award and author of the acclaimed autobiographical novel “Look Homeward, Angel,” Wolfe influenced many greats of literary prowess from this neck of the woods. One can simply check out all of the sponsored rocking chairs that sit upon the front porch of Old Kentucky Home, Wolfe’s childhood residence, to get a small idea of the effect his career had on local writers, suggests Tom Muir, historic site manager of the Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site. Each of the 12 chairs is sponsored by a local writer who has a deep appreciation for Wolfe’s skill, from which they took inspiration for their own masterpieces. Included are Charles Frazier, John Ehle, Elizabeth Kostova, Clyde Edgerton, Ron Rash and more.
The Thomas Wolfe Historical Site and House is a must-see for all book-loving Asheville visitors. Local history is juxtaposed against the hip, fresh artistic scene downtown, and Old Kentucky Home — or Dixieland, as it’s known to the readers of “Look Homeward, Angel” — is happily settled there. Visitors are welcomed by friendly and knowledgeable staff and volunteers, excited to show you around and fully equipped with Wolfe-y anecdotes at the ready: “When Jack Kerouac got to Asheville, the first thing he said was ‘take me to Thomas Wolfe’s house,” says Muir. “He also mentions that “Ray Bradbury wrote a short story that used a time-machine to pluck Thomas Wolfe off his deathbed, because he was the only author who could appropriately describe a trip to space.” Thomas Wolfe’s invaluable influence on American literature is forever memorialized at this historic site through informational video, a beautiful walk-through exhibit, and a guided tour of the home, provided by insightful and passionate volunteers.
Two-time Thomas Wolfe Literary Award Winner Charles Frazier also calls Asheville home. Peering over the Pisgah National Forest, one may recognize a familiar shape on the horizon and recall Frazier’s 1997 Civil War novel, “Cold Mountain,” and the hit film adaptation. The National Book Award winning novel brought a proud claim to fame to Western North Carolina even beyond its literary notoriety and Hollywood acclaim. One fan of the novel, Oscar Wong, founder of Highland Brewing, named the brewery’s winter ale Cold Mountain in honor of the book and the land. Now in its 26th year in production, the popular ale has established a tradition that draws crowds from all over the country to celebrate its release every year.
Another popular WNC jaunt (and book) is “Cataloochee.” Just 20 miles outside of Waynesville, Cataloochee was named for a Cherokee term that refers to a row of trees along the ridges that surround the area. It’s also host to one of the most breathtaking views in Western North Carolina. While visitors take in the view, they may have a few close encounters with some majestic elk in their natural habitat. There is also an opportunity to see some preserved historical buildings — a school, church, house and barn — all of which are accessible with no fee. Local author Wayne Caldwell immortalized this piece of earth in a beautiful multigenerational family saga entitled “Cataloochee,” about the descendants of early settlers in the town of the same name. A daring visitor may take a small hike or two and reach the Civil War-era graveyards in the woods surrounding the open fields. Each stone tells a different story of perseverance, fortitude, patriotism and even heartbreak. It’s no wonder a wonderfully striking novel was born in such a place.
Asheville and Cherokee share rich literary history, which continues to the popular Grove Park Inn, majestic hotel and setting of many local legendary ghost stories, as well as the 2020 novel “Even As We Breathe” by Thomas Wolfe Literary Award-winner Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle. The first published novelist of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Clapsaddle brings readers into the life of a young Cherokee who gets a job working at the Grove Park Inn during World War II, when it is being used as an internment camp for high-profile, valuable prisoners of war. This unique novel is a native literary mystery set in a thrilling time and place. “Both an astonishing addition to WWII and Native American literature, this novel sings on every level” (Publishers Weekly).
BILTMORE AND BOOKS
Biltmore House is America’s Largest Home, one of the biggest attractions of the Southeast and blissfully settled here in Asheville. The largess and intrigue of this romantic and superlative home attracts 1.4 million visitors each year and has given rise to dozens of books — both fiction and nonfiction alike.
In New York Times Bestseller “The Last Castle,” Denise Kiernan tells the story of the Vanderbilts, the building of the Biltmore House, and its effects on Asheville and the nation at large. “‘The Last Castle’ traces all the unusual and unlikely twists of fate and forces of will that led to Biltmore’s construction and, against all odds, kept it largely intact and within the family for more than 120 years” (Asheville Citizen-Times). For readers, this book would shine an irresistible light on previously untold stories about the Vanderbilt and Cecil family that are of particular interest to fans of the Gilded Age and the popular television drama “Downton Abbey.” “For those who couldn’t get enough of ‘Downton Abbey,, ‘The Last Castle, might satisfy that desire to peer into the lives of wealthy members of the reigning elite” (Bookreporter.com). The parallel between “Downton Abbey” and the Biltmore House is so strong that the house hosted a popular “Downton Abbey” exhibit featuring props and costumes from the series.
The sensational nonfiction spawned from the Biltmore House does not stop there. The son of Gloria Vanderbilt and great-great-great grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, Anderson Cooper (also famously known as an American broadcast journalist and political commentator) recently wrote a book called “Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty.” Growing up a Vanderbilt, Cooper provides readers with a fascinating insider’s point of view that manages to be relatable in its timeliness. Christopher Buckley from the Washington Post says, “This is a terrific book, rich (yes, pun intended) in social history, ingeniously organized and overall well-written.” For even more notable nonfiction on the family, pick up “The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt” by T.J. Stiles (winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Biography), or “Fortune’s Children: The Fall of the House of Vanderbilt” by descendant Arthur T. Vanderbilt II. For more on the house and the grounds, read Howard Covington’s “Lady on the Hill: How the Biltmore Estate Became an American Icon.”
For Vanderbilt storytelling in a more fictional format, check out “A Well-Behaved Woman: A Novel of the Vanderbilts” by Theresa Anne Fowler, “American Duchess: A Novel of Consuelo Vanderbilt” by Karen Harper, or “The Wedding Veil” by Kristie Woodson Harvey. And of course there is something for the kids, too. Young readers should not miss the Serafina series (starting with “Serafina and the Black Cloak”) by Robert Beatty, featuring a young girl with mystical powers who resides secretly within the Biltmore Estate. All in all, there is no shortage of literature in facts or fiction when it comes to the Vanderbilts.
MORE LITERARY THINGS TO DO
Other notable literary treks include the Carl Sandburg house, home of the American poet, biographer, journalist, editor and winner of three Pulitzer Prizes. Zelda Fitzgerald, novelist, wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald and inspiration for the character Daisy Buchanan in “The Great Gatsby,” was hospitalized in Asheville and treated for schizophrenia for 12 years. She died in a fire at Highland Hospital in 1948, and a memorial marker stands at the site in the historic Montford neighborhood.
Bolstered by Asheville’s historical literary atmosphere, life in the present day Land of the Sky has no shortcomings. Visitors and locals may decide to attend a free play put on by Montford Park Players (MPP), the state’s longest-running Shakespeare theatre company, having just finished its 50th season. MPP gives local actors and authors an opportunity to bring their talents to the stage. Through MPP, local playwright and actor Will Storrs is making his theatre writing debut with his play “Wonderland Legacies: Alice’s Adventures in Murderland,” which MPP will produce in October. Storrs says he is “incredibly excited to have Montford put on (his) play” and he enjoys being able to “support a wonderful community of artists.”
Asheville has such a strong community of artists and creative talent that locals and tourists alike appreciate the quality of the arts produced here. When feeling inspired by the local landscape, as many have before, checkout creative writing programs or literary lectures at Warren Wilson, the local private liberal arts college. To satisfy the itch for local reads mentioned here (and countless more), check out the popular local bookstore Malaprop’s Bookstore & Cafe in downtown Asheville, and its quirky sister store, Downtown Books & News, or relax with a fancy cocktail and pick up a book at Battery Park Book Exchange.
