Gunnison Valley Sees Literary Tourism Boom

As I stood at the edge of Blue Mesa, the dry lake bed stretching out before me like an endless, cracked canvas, I couldn't help but feel the weight of stories untold, of secrets whispered on the wind. It's a place where the sky seems to swallow the earth whole, where the only sound is the rustle of weeds and the faint hum of a distant engine. And yet, it's here, in this desolate beauty, that a literary phenomenon has taken root. Shelley Read's novel, "Go as a River," has brought a flood of literary tourists to the Gunnison Valley, all seeking to immerse themselves in the world she created.

I think back to the first time I heard about the book, how it had passed the million-sold mark worldwide, and how it had been translated into 35 languages. It's a staggering feat, and one that has clearly resonated with readers from all over the world. But what's perhaps most remarkable is the way the book has become a kind of pilgrimage for fans, who travel to the valley to walk in the footsteps of the characters, to see the landscapes that inspired the story. As Kelly Jo Clark, a bookseller at Townie Books in Crested Butte, put it, "You can drive anywhere around here and feel like you are in the novel." It's a sentiment that echoes through the valley, where the lines between reality and fiction seem to blur.

As I talk to locals, I begin to understand the depth of Read's connection to the land. She's a fifth-generation Coloradan, and her love for the valley is palpable. "I evoked our landscape because it's what I know," she says, and it's clear that this intimacy with the land has been a key factor in the book's success. But it's not just the landscape that's drawn readers in – it's the characters, the story, the way the book seems to capture the essence of the human experience. I think about the elderly couple from Australia, who traveled 14,000 miles to visit the valley, to meet Read, and to immerse themselves in the world of her novel. This journey of 14,000 miles to experience the world of the book firsthand shows the power of storytelling, to the way a book can transport us, transform us, and connect us to others in ways we never thought possible.

As I walk through the streets of Crested Butte, I notice the way the town seems to come alive with the presence of literary tourists. They're a curious bunch, always asking questions, seeking out the locations mentioned in Shelley Read's book, and hoping to catch a glimpse of Read herself. It's a phenomenon that began in the summer of 2023, when the Australian couple walked into Townie Books, seeking guidance on how to find the places that had become so real to them. Since then, many others have followed, drawn by the same sense of wonder, the same desire to experience the world that Read created firsthand.

I stop to talk to Clark, who's busy unboxing books at the store. She's seen it all, from the early days of the novel's release to the current frenzy of literary tourism. "It's been amazing," she says, "to see how the novel has brought people together, how it has created strong bonds among readers who share a passion for the story." As we talk, a group of visitors walks in, seeking recommendations on what to read next. They're all fans of Read's work, and they're eager to explore more of the valley, to delve deeper into the world that she wrote about. It's a moment that feels quintessentially small-town, a moment that reminds me of the power of stories to connect us, to bring us together in ways that transcend borders, languages, and cultures.

As the sun begins to set, casting a golden glow over the valley, I'm struck by the beauty of this place, by the way the light seems to dance across the landscape. It's a moment that feels almost surreal, a moment that reminds me of the magic of Shelley Read's writing, of the way her book has brought this corner of Colorado to life. And as I stand there, taking it all in, I'm left with a sense of wonder, a sense of awe at the power of stories to transform us, to connect us, and to bring us home. The sky is painted with hues of pink and orange, a breathtaking sunset that seems to whisper secrets to the wind, and I'm reminded that, sometimes, the most beautiful stories are the ones that unfold in the most unexpected places.