Stephen King’s stories are known for their uniqueness, but many have one thing in common. Here’s why so many King books and movies are set in Maine.
Stephen King’s prolific body of work is revered for its creativity, but many of his most famous stories have something in common: they take place in Maine. The famed horror author has been publishing stories like Carrie and It that give readers the creeps for almost 50 years, and while the plots of all his books are fairly distinctive, a staggering number of his 64 published novels take place in Maine. Though this detail could be a coincidence, the role that the Pine Tree State plays in many of King’s most famous stories seems to suggest that there is a reason for so many of his works being set in Maine.
The most common theory about Stephen King’s frequent Pine Tree State setting is simple: he is a Maine native. Born in Portland, Maine and a graduate of the University of Maine (both places which have appeared in his works), King has lived in the state for most of his life. Outside of Maine being the place King hails from, the state possesses many qualities that naturally lend themselves to scary stories. Given its relative isolation from the rest of the United States, its sparse population, small towns, and rich history, Maine is the perfect setting for King’s horror books and movies.
Does Stephen King Still Live In Maine?
Like many of his characters, Stephen King continues to call the state of Maine his home. King and his wife, Tabitha, own three homes together, with two of them being located in the Maine towns of Bangor and Lovell, respectively. Bangor is known for being the template for It’s Derry, while Lovell’s western Maine inspiration can be seen in works like The Mist or Under The Dome.
The Kings have been active in the Bangor community during their time living there, and their Bangor home has become an unofficial tourist attraction among fans. As of 2019, the Kings plan to convert it into a facility to house King’s archives as well as serve as a writer’s retreat. Though the Kings also live in Florida (a setting which has also found its way into some of King’s books), Maine continues to inspire Stephen King’s work to this day.
Every Major Stephen King Book & Movie Not Set In Maine
Stephen King is known for setting his works in Maine, but some of his most famous stories take place elsewhere. The Shining and Misery, two of King’s most prominent works, are set in Colorado, while The Shining's sequel, Doctor Sleep, is set in New Hampshire. The Stand takes readers on an odyssey throughout the United States as it follows characters led by Mother Abigail and Randall Flagg (though some early chapters are set in Maine). Firestarter (which received a movie remake in 2022) journeys throughout the East Coast. Fittingly, King’s Children Of The Corn takes place in Nebraska. Christine, one of King’s multiple stories about cars, is set in Pennsylvania. Venturing outside the horror genre, The Green Mile takes place at the Cold Mountain Penitentiary in Louisiana. The varied locations of these novels show that while Maine has served as a significant source of inspiration for Stephen King, his stories can terrify fans anywhere.
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