Need a good, quality read about relationships, life etc

[CDMforever]

Just finished Mr. Y for my book club. Not really my thang. Need something uplifting, emotional, about human interaction rather than ideas. But nothing fluffy. Any ideas?

[iheartdusty]

'The Road Home' - Rose Tremain (Polish man comes to UK to make a new life, meets various people. Both uplifting and emotional)

[CDMforever]

Recently read and love the Road Home. But thanx, definitely something in that vein.

[iheartdusty]

do you know Jane Smiley? She won prizes for 'A Thousand Acres' but her other books about relationships are spot on with perfect observations. EG Ordinary Love, Barn Blind, Duplicate Keys, Good Faith.
Not her 'horsey' books which are very different.

Also Helen Simpson for exceedingly funny short stories.

[Scarletibis]

Anne Tyler - a Patchwork Planet
Zadie Smith - On Beauty
Patrick Gale - Notes from an Exhibition and Rough Music
Secrets of the Ya-Ya sisterhood (by Rebecca someone I think)

[hobbgoblin]

A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon

[Sunshinemummy]

Have you read East of Eden by John Steinbeck? It's my fave book and is amazing.

[sumomum]

Random acts of heroic love. Was recommended by someone on here and was fantastic.

[Longtalljosie]

Small Island by Andrea Levy?

[Sunshinemummy]

Also have you read any William Boyd? Any Human Heart and Restless are particularly good.

[yappybluedog]

Charlotte Mendelsohn very good

also Barbara Gowdy

Anything by Anne Tyler

agree about Mr Y, thought it was rubbish

[JeffVadar]

Lorrie Moore - Anagrams I enjoyed very much

Rupert Thomson - any of his, the lastest is 'Death of a Murder'

Also second the Ya Ya Sisterhood (which is by Rebecca Wells)

I love Helen Simpson's stories, but her last book is all about suddenly dying in your late 40s - so beware!

Also second William Boyd. Restless is brilliant, also A Good Man in Africa which is laugh aloud funny. But Any Human Heart is a masterpiece IMO.

[mumof2222222222222222boys]

Just read Zoe Heller The Believers. Truely awful people, but thoroughly enjoyed it.

[HopeForTheBestExpectTheWorst]

Would second anything by Anne Tyler.

The Romantic by Barbara Gowdy...though it did make me cry, was fantastic. Avoid The White Bone by her, though at all costs.

I'm also rather a fan of Anita Shreve, although there's often something sad in her books, I do think they are ultimately uplifting.

Ya Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells is good too.

[CDMforever]

Thanx for all your suggestions. I think I've already read about half of them so you're barking up the right tree! Can't wait to go and have a browse in Waterstone's - my most favourite past time.....

[letswiggle]

Looooooved The Believers

[carocaro]

Douglas Kennedy - any of them, big epic, gripping tales, about families, life, realtionships, set mainly in the USA, currently reading The Job, up til 1am reading it. He is a male author but writes amazingly well from the point of view of women.

Just dicovered him and I am HOOKED.