The Shocking True Story Behind America’s First Novel

Before there were airport thrillers or BookTok romances, before Twain or Hawthorne or Fitzgerald, America had its first homegrown novel—and it came with a dramatic twist. The Power of Sympathy, published in 1789, holds the distinction of being the first American novel. And just like any good debut, it sparked interest, invited controversy, and hid its author’s true identity.

At first glance, The Power of Sympathy might seem like a straightforward moral tale. It follows a young man, Harrington, who falls deeply in love with a woman named Harriot. Their passionate relationship, however, leads to devastating consequences when it’s revealed they may be half-siblings. Tragedy ensues. Spoiler alert: it ends badly. But what makes this novel so remarkable isn’t just its plot—it’s the story behind the story.

Though the book was released anonymously and attributed only to “A Young Lady of Massachusetts,” historians later uncovered the true author: William Hill Brown, a 24-year-old man from Boston. Brown wasn’t a household name (and still isn’t), but his choice to publish under a pseudonym—especially one suggesting a female author—wasn’t arbitrary. At the time, women were seen as the more “appropriate” audience (and authors) for sentimental fiction. By using this disguise, Brown both fit the mold and protected himself from criticism.

That decision might have also been a way to deflect attention from the real-life scandal that inspired his plot.

The story of forbidden love in The Power of Sympathy closely mirrors a true affair that rocked Boston society in the 1780s. Perez Morton, a well-known attorney and public figure, had allegedly engaged in a relationship with his sister-in-law, Fanny Apthorp. The fallout from the affair was swift and tragic—Fanny died by suicide in 1788, a year before Brown’s novel was published.

So yes, this early American novel wasn’t just fiction—it was thinly veiled commentary on current events, and everyone in Boston knew it. The book’s release caused enough of a stir that Brown’s own family reportedly pulled it from circulation out of embarrassment. The message was clear: America might be free from British rule, but its literary efforts were anything but tame.

From a literary perspective, The Power of Sympathy is what’s called an epistolary novel—meaning it’s told entirely through letters. This format was trendy at the time, echoing popular British works like Pamela by Samuel Richardson and Clarissa. But Brown’s work distinguished itself by being unabashedly American. Set in New England and tackling issues of morality, class, and education, the book tried to reflect and shape the culture of the young republic.

At its core, the novel was meant to serve as a warning—particularly to women. The subtitle of the original edition was The Power of Sympathy: or, The Triumph of Nature. Founded in Truth. The idea was that unchecked emotion, especially in matters of romance, could lead to ruin. Brown wanted readers—especially young women—to value rational thinking and moral restraint over passion. It was literature as a tool for shaping character and safeguarding society.

Today, The Power of Sympathy doesn’t often appear on summer reading lists. Its prose is a bit dense, and its structure feels old-fashioned. But its legacy lives on. It laid the foundation for the American novel tradition, proving that storytelling in the new nation could reflect local culture, wrestle with real moral dilemmas, and—even 236 years ago—get people talking.

So the next time you’re browsing the fiction aisle or reading your favorite author’s latest post on social media, remember: American storytelling didn’t begin quietly. It started with scandal, secrecy, and a sharp-eyed young writer who dared to put society’s flaws on paper—under someone else’s name.