America’s smallest state, Rhode Island offers a rich and varied cultural output which is disproportionate to the state’s tiny size. Its historical significance also outweighs its size as it was the first state to declare independence from British rule.

Henry James’ The American Scene is a compilation of travel writing from a US road trip in the early 20th century; he focuses on Rhode Island and describes the society of the state at that time. The book was a hot topic of political controversy upon its release, not least because it is made up of an intriguing mix of fallacy and fact.

Famous author, poet, short story writer and critic, John Updike has many award winning works to his name, for example The Witches of Eastwick, which is set in Rhode Island. Furthermore, Updike’s witchy novel was adapted into a film of the same title.