“Sometimes we love with nothing more than hope. Sometimes we cry with everything except tears.”
Some books transport you so completely into their world that the setting feels like a living, breathing character. These stories don’t just take place somewhere – their environments mould them. Every detail of the setting drives the plot, enriching the atmosphere and revealing hidden layers of meaning. From beautiful landscapes to bustling cities brimming with secrets, these are as integral to the story as the characters themselves. Whether it’s the remote marshlands of Where the Crawdads Sing, the rugged windswept moors in Wuthering Heights or the vividly depicted world of The Night Circus, the settings in the novels go beyond mere backdrop – they are the forces that shape the narrative and drive a characters’ decisions. Join us at What We Reading for our favourite books where the setting is the main character.
Wuthering Heights – Emily Brontë
First up on our list of books where the setting is the main character is Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, the haunting tale of love, revenge and obsession set against the dramatic backdrop of the Yorkshire moors. The moors are not merely a setting but an active force across the novel, reflecting and amplifying its characters’ wild, untamed emotions. From the fierce weather to the windswept hills, the moors appear to mirror the passions and conflicts that drive Heathcliff and Catherine, becoming a living, breathing character within their tragic tale.
The isolated Wuthering Heights estate itself is steeped in gloom and hostility, contrasting sharply with the more civilised Thrushcross Grange. Brontë uses this duality in settings to sell the tensions between nature and nurture, freedom and restraint. With its vivid descriptions and atmospheric storytelling, Wuthering Heights immerses readers in a world where the landscape shapes the narrative just as much as the individual characters who inhabit it.
Shantaram (Shantaram #1) – Gregory David Roberts
Gregory David Roberts’ Shantaram is the epic story of escaped convict Lin who flees a maximum security prison in Australia and finds himself in the bustling underworld of modern-day Bombay (Mumbai). The city isn’t just a backdrop – it’s a character pulsating with life and shaping the fates of those within it. From the hectic streets, and sprawling slums to the shadowy underworld, every corner of Bombay is vividly brought to life, immersing readers in its sights, sounds and emotions.
The setting plays a pivotal role in Lin’s journey through the story. The slums, with their resourcefulness and camaraderie, reflect his longing for community, whilst the city’s glittering nightlife and dangerous underbelly demonstrate his moral struggles. Bombay’s many contradictions soon become central themes in the narrative.
Circe – Madeline Miller
Madeline Miller’s Circe is a spellbinding retelling of Greek mythology that immerses readers in the enchanting yet isolating world of the witch Circe. The novel’s setting – Aiaia, a secluded island surrounded by the wild untamed sea, is brought vividly to life, becoming the main character in Circe’s journey of self-discovery.
The lush beauty of Aiaia reflects Circe’s duality: her power and independence, as well as her exile and resulting loneliness. The island is both a sanctuary and prison, where she can hone her craft and face her deepest fears. Its vivid descriptions – from the fragrant herbs in her garden to the ferocious waves that shield her from the world – create an atmospheric backdrop that feels alive and completely sells the setting as the main character.
Check Out The Best Books Like Circe
A Darker Shade Of Magic (Shades Of Magic #1) – Victoria E. Schwab
In A Darker Shade of Magic, readers are transported to four parallel Londons – Red, Grey, White and Black – each with their own distinct atmosphere and relationship to magic. These Londons are more than just settings; they are integral to the story, with their unique characteristics shaping the plot and characters’ journeys.
Red London is vibrant and alive, flourishing with an abundance of magic. Grey London is mundane and devoid of it. White London is stark and brutal, where magic is seized through force. Black London, long destroyed, serves as a hauntingly cautionary tale. One of the best books featuring a masterclass in worldbuilding, the descriptions of each city immerse readers in their distinct worlds, making the setting as compelling as the characters who navigate it.
Where The Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens
Delia Owens’ Where the Crawdads Sing is a poignant tale of love, loneliness and resilience set against the untamed beauty of the North Carolina marshlands. The marsh is not just a backdrop, it is one of the main driving forces that shape protagonist Kya’s identity and story.
Abandoned as a child, Kya finds solace and survival in the marsh, which becomes her sanctuary and her mentor. Its ever-changing tides, wildlife and hidden depths mirror her journey of growth and self-discovery. The setting’s detailed descriptions immerse readers, bringing to life the sounds of the cicadas, the rustle of reeds and the haunting isolation of a beautiful and unforgiving place.
Check Out The Best Books Like Where The Crawdads Sing
The Light Between Oceans – M.L. Stedman
Another one of the best books where the setting is the main character, M.L. Stedman’s The Light Between Oceans takes place on a remote lighthouse island off the coast of Australia. The island and its lighthouse become integral to the story, shaping the lives and decisions of its inhabitants in profound ways.
The island mirrors the emotional isolation of characters Tom and Isabel, whose decisions are influenced by this harsh but stunning environment. The lighthouse, a symbol of both guidance and confinement, standing tall against the unforgiving sea around them, encapsulates the characters’ struggle between duty and desire. From the rugged cliffs, and windswept beaches to the vast, endless ocean, The Light Between Oceans’ setting evokes a sense of both tranquillity and tension, reflecting the novel’s themes of love, loss and moral dilemma.
The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern
The Night Circus is a captivating dark fantasy novel set within the magical and mysterious circus that only opens at night, Le Cirque des Reves. With its black-and-white striped tents, otherworldly exhibits and impossible feats, the circus appears to exist outside of time and reality, constantly shifting and evolving.
Each tent, each act, holds secrets and wonders that deepen the atmosphere of magic and mystery. The circus’ whimsical, yet haunting, nature mirrors the fierce competition between the two central players at the heart of the story, Celia and Marco. These two magicians are bound to each other through a dangerous wager, and The Night Circus’s immersive setting brings their story to life with enchantment and danger coexisting in every chapter.
The Shining – Stephen King
No list of books where the setting is the main character would be complete without mentioning The Shining. The Overlook Hotel where the story takes place is a central character in the narrative, its vast, eerie halls and decaying grandeur fueling the suspense and terror that gradually consumes the Torrance family.
Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the Overlook’s remoteness heightens the feelings of entrapment, entombing Jack, Wendy and their son Danny in a place where dark secrets and supernatural forces simmer beneath the surface. The hotel’s haunted history and oppressive atmosphere seep into the characters, amplifying their fears and desires. From the labyrinthine corridors, haunted ballrooms and creepy old decorations, The Shining is a masterclass in using location as a character and is the perfect read for fans of books with unforgettable settings.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
