Literature Indianapolis

a mural memorializing kurt vonnegut stands on mass ave. project completed local artist pamela bliss in 2011.

indianapolis @ center of golden age of indiana literature 1870 1920. several notable poets , writers based in city achieved national prominence , critical acclaim during period, including james whitcomb riley, booth tarkington , meredith nicholson. in history of indiana literature, arthur w. shumaker remarked on era s influence: age of famous men , famous books. in indiana, , particularly indianapolis, became literary center in many ways rivaled east. 1947 study found indiana authors ranked second new york in number of bestsellers produced in previous 40 years. located in lockerbie square, james whitcomb riley museum home has been national historic landmark since 1962.

perhaps city s famous 20th century writer kurt vonnegut, known darkly satirical , controversial bestselling novel slaughterhouse-five (1969). kurt vonnegut memorial library opened in 2010 downtown. vonnegut became known including @ least 1 character in novels indianapolis. upon returning city in 1986, vonnegut acknowledged influence city had on writings:

indianapolis current home bestselling young adult fiction writer john green, known critically acclaimed 2012 novel fault in our stars, set in city.