Just finished the Cazalet novels by Elizabeth Jane Howard, feeling lost

[travellinghopefully12]

I actually feel really sad and at a loss without them. I loved them so much.

What can I read now? What is similar? I've never read a series before, and have been reading these since Feb, and was hooked. It's such an empty feeling.

[MermaidofZennor]

Have you read Nancy Mitford - The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate?

[magimedi]

Forsyte Saga - John Galsworthy.

All set a little earlier than the Cazalets but the same sort of sweeping thread of a family.

[BertrandRussell]

Start from the beginning again? I have them on hard rotation as audiobooks!

Forsyte saga? Barchester Chronicles? Pallisers? Oh, Penny Vincenzi? Not a saga as such, but very thick books about one family. Susan Howach? Ditto thought -not one family.......

[Pebble21uk]

You could always watch the TV adaptation of The Cazalets from the 80s. Haven't seen it since then but remember loving it and you can get it on DVD from Amazon for less than a fiver!

[tobee]

I'm on book 4 right now and can imagine similar problems. What do people thinks of Elizabeth Jane Howard's other books? What about her auto biography?

[travellinghopefully12]

Mermaid I adore Nancy Mitford - my best friend from forever pretty much is Linda Radlett. Thank you though, perhaps I shall reread.

I've been told Forsyte Saga is good, but I found the Cazelat novels quite addictive due to her way of looking at people from different angles - like you find out small hints about other character's stories in each section, and they are kind of throwaway and the characterisation is just amazing, and Oh God, I loved the Cazalets so much.

Is Clary everyone's favourite, or just mine? tobee I envy you having the pleasure of reading them and pity the devastation at not having any more to read. I got The Beautiful Visit out of the library, but am struggling to get into it.

I've also been trying to read Kate Atkinson, who I used to love, but after EJH she seems kind of clunky and obvious (just because EJH is so subtle)

Bertrand Russell I've seen some Penny Vincencis in the library, but have never read them. I might get one out when next in. Where do I start?

Thanks all

[tobee]

I've never come across a writer quite so adroit at capturing the way children talk and behave.

[Lilymaid]

Tobe EJH's autobiography is fascinating - especially the parts covering the same period as the Cazalets - she certainly based the series on her own life.

[NicknameUsed]

Pebble21uk the TV series was in 2001. I loved it and the books. Sadly, I tried readin other books by EJH but they were so boring in comparison that I just gave up.

How about The Camomile Lawn by Mary Wesley?

[tobee]

I finally dared to look on IMDb for casting of the tv adaptation having cemented the pictures I had in my head by book 4. I thought most of the casting was completely bizarre!

[DramaAlpaca]

I really enjoyed the Spoils of Time series by Penny Vincenzi. The first one is No Angel, then Something Dangerous & finally Into Temptation. It's a family saga set around a publishing house. I've read others of hers years ago, but came across these recently and loved them.

[annandale]

I agree they spoil other books for a while.

I'm hoping you haven't read All Change - don't bother.

I would head for nonfiction for a bit. I also think Slipstream was very good. Also I read a biography of Kathleen Scott - can't remember the title.

[annandale]

Polly is my favourite btw...

[tobee]

I like all the young girl cousins (Poll, Clary, Louise) and Miss Milliment. And have soft spot for Neville. So far. I expect my daughter will marry someone like him! I've just got her reading book 1.

[BertrandRussell]

The Cazalet audio books are fantastic, by the way. I've just started listening from the beginning again. It's about 60 hours wo th!

[GeorgeHerbert]

How about embarking on Elena Ferrante's Neopolitan Novels? Very different but exquisite writing and they are a real saga.

[annandale]

Oh yes, and the Balkan Trilogy?

[ThenLaterWhenItGotDark]

I'm only halfway through the first book.
The writing reminds me a bit of the 'good' Rosamund Pilchers, before she got doddery and mini-series-y. Shell Seekers and September were good.

[EmGee]

I loved them too (although it took me a while to get into the first one).

How about RF Delderfield's series 'A Horseman riding by'? This is fab! I read it years ago and think I might have to re-read it.

[Seeline]

EmGee I love the Horseman Riding By trilogy. Have you read the God is An Englishman series too - more industrial, and starts a bit earlier, but just as well told. I've re-read both of them several times.
I also loved the Cazalet books. I would love another good meaty series to get my teeth into

[travellinghopefully12]

Thank you, I will try A Horseman riding by, are the characters as compelling?

I also have the first novel in the Neapolitan Trilogy - I was given it by a friend who loved it, but I was deep in the Cazalets at the time, and put it to one side. I was also afraid that I wouldn't love it as much as she did, and wouldn't know what to tell her. I will dig it out though.

Currently giving the Cazalets to my mother one by one, I must warn her that they will ruin other books.

[travellinghopefully12]

Oh...I also have The Sword of Honour Trilogy - have never read it, is that good? I mean I know it's good in a literary sense, but is it compelling, human, makes you love the characters, etc?

[Napnah]

Following with interest

I know exactly what you mean about Kate Atkinson seeming clunky

[Napnah]

I remember marge piercy gone to soldiers being just as compelling but haven't read it for 25 years!

[ParsleyTheLion1]

Oh god I totally sympathise....I felt bereft after I finished the Cazalet chronicles.
I loved Neville as a child.
I feel that no one quite captures how children speak as well as Jane Howard.
If I were you, I would read something completely different for now as anything else is likely to pail if in direct (and recent) comparison with the Cazalet Chronicles.