Cover of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

Literary · Classics

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

3.8 out of 5, from 162 ratings from Hardcover readers

In a small Georgia mill town in the 1930s, a deaf man named John Singer becomes the silent confidant of several lonely people, among them a restless teenage girl, a drifter and a doctor.

Facts last checked 2026-10-17

First published
1940
Pace
Slow
Length
Medium
Pages
368
Format
Standalone

Read this if you like quiet, character-led American novels about loneliness and longing.

Skip this if you want a plot-driven story with a tidy, upbeat ending.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Racism
  • Death
  • Suicide

Quick answers about The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

What is The Heart is a Lonely Hunter about?
In a small Georgia mill town in the 1930s, a deaf man named John Singer becomes the silent confidant of several lonely people, among them a restless teenage girl, a drifter and a doctor.
Who should read The Heart is a Lonely Hunter?
Read it if you like quiet, character-led American novels about loneliness and longing. Skip it if you want a plot-driven story with a tidy, upbeat ending.
How long and how fast is The Heart is a Lonely Hunter?
It is a slow-paced, medium read of about 368 pages, first published in 1940.
Does The Heart is a Lonely Hunter have content warnings?
Content we flag: Racism, Death, Suicide.
Can I borrow The Heart is a Lonely Hunter for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Heart is a Lonely Hunter; the borrow button above searches it for you.

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