First American Novel

The Power of Sympathy

Considered the first American novel, The Power of Sympathy, was written by William Hill Brown in January 1789.

The novel is also called The Triumph of Nature and is sentimental.

In the novel, characters Thomas Harrington, Harriot Fawcet (his illegitimate sister), Jack Worthy, Myra Harrington (Thomas' sister), and Mrs. Eliza Holmes (friend of the Harrington siblings) exchange letters. Thomas tells Jack Worthy in a letter that he fell in love with his sister, Harriot.