Venture into the enchanting world of Stay More, a fictional Ozark town where the ordinary becomes extraordinary through Donald Harington’s masterful storytelling. The Stay More series, spanning thirteen novels, weaves romance, mystery, and satire into a vibrant tapestry of small-town life in the Arkansas Ozarks. With its quirky characters and heartfelt narratives, this hidden gem invites readers to linger in its charming, idiosyncratic embrace.
Rooted in Harington’s childhood summers in Drakes Creek, Arkansas, the series captures the region’s dialect, humor, and spirit. Often called 'America’s greatest unknown novelist,' Harington’s unique voice blends myth, wit, and poignant human connections, making Stay More a literary treasure for those who discover it.
How Stay More Began
Donald Harington, born in Little Rock in 1935, drew inspiration from his summers in Drakes Creek, where he absorbed the Ozark’s vanishing dialect before losing his hearing to meningitis at age twelve. This small town, with its general store and post office run by his grandparents, became the blueprint for Stay More, a place where visitors were urged to 'stay more'—a polite entreaty that sparked the series’ name. Harington’s debut novel, Lightning Bug (1970), introduced Stay More, and its success led to twelve more novels, each exploring the town’s evolving saga.
A visual artist and art history professor, Harington infused his novels with a painter’s eye for detail and a storyteller’s ear for rhythm. Despite critical acclaim, including the Robert Penn Warren Award, his work remained under the radar, earning him a cult following among literary enthusiasts.
The Heart of Stay More
The Stay More series is a kaleidoscope of genres, centered on the town’s eclectic residents, affectionately dubbed 'Stay Morons.' Lightning Bug introduces Latha Bourne, the town’s postmistress and spiritual muse, whose love story with Every Dill unfolds against the Great Depression’s backdrop. The Architecture of the Arkansas Ozarks (1975) traces six generations of the Ingledew family, blending comedy and lyricism in a saga hailed by the American Library Association as a top novel of its year.
The Cockroaches of Stay More (1989) takes a whimsical turn, exploring the town’s insect world with satirical flair, as cockroaches navigate love, religion, and class struggles. With (2004) transforms a kidnapping plot into a fable of survival, following young Robin Kerr as she thrives in isolation with animal companions. Themes of love, loss, community, and resilience permeate the series, set against the Ozarks’ lush, isolated landscape. Harington’s playful prose, rich with regional idioms, creates a vivid sense of place that feels both timeless and deeply American.
Harington’s narratives often shift timelines and perspectives, weaving past and present to reflect the interconnectedness of Stay More’s inhabitants. His blend of folklore and modernism, paired with a satirical eye, elevates everyday struggles into universal truths, making each book a standalone yet interconnected chapter in the town’s history.
Why Stay More Resonates
Despite its niche status, the Stay More series has left an indelible mark on American literature. Compared to Faulkner’s Yoknapatawpha County, Stay More serves as a microcosm of human experience, capturing the quirks and heart of rural life. Harington’s ability to find wonder in the mundane has earned him praise as 'America’s Chaucer,' with a legacy preserved through The Toby Press’ uniform editions.
Fans cherish the series for its emotional depth and humor, often embarking on pilgrimages to Newton County, Arkansas, to seek Stay More’s real-world roots. Its enduring appeal lies in its celebration of community and storytelling, inviting readers to find beauty in the overlooked corners of life.
- Publication Years: 1970–2009
- Number of Books: 13
- Notable Awards: Robert Penn Warren Award, Oxford American Lifetime Achievement Award
Dive into Lightning Bug and lose yourself in Stay More’s whimsical, heartfelt world. Whether you’re a fan of romance, mystery, or satire, Harington’s Ozark saga promises a journey you won’t forget!