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Original poster

Substantial chick-lit

29 replies

Londonista1975 · 30/07/2012 21:01

I've just read 'Separate Lives', quite a disappointment considering what I know Kathryn Flett is capable of. I'd now something quite light to read that as a female protagonist that's well-written, no cliches, good characterisation and a believable and unpredictable story. Thriller, comedy...whatever, it doesn't matter. I like the writing of Joanna Briscoe and Zoe Hller, if that's any help. I've heard that Rachel Cusk is a great author for this kind of thing.

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joanofarchitrave · 22/08/2012 21:41

These are all pretty well-known, but anyway...

Restless by William Boyd (I should get commission from him, I recommend it so often).

Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey (if you can stand the politics - but they're less salient in this one than some of hers)

Diary of a Provincial Lady by E M Delacourt, though in many ways I prefer the sequels when she gets less provincial.

I haven't read it myself, but Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day must have something to it?

Cold Comfort Farm, obviously.

You might enjoy The Elegance of the Hedgehog? Can't remember the author but I liked it very much. Was a massive success about 5 years ago so often turns up in charity shops but it's good.

CommunistMoon · 15/08/2012 23:25

"Goodbye Johnny Thunders" by Tania Kindersley. Quite surprisingly strong sense of yearning and loss, stayed with me.

PrideOfChanur · 07/08/2012 21:15

I've just read and really enjoyed "Names My Sisters Call Me" by Megan Crane - I'm not sure I'd call it substantial chick-lit,but it fitted your parameters of "well-written, no cliches, good characterisation and a believable and unpredictable story" for me! funny as well...

coopsalit · 07/08/2012 12:14

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PissOffRoss · 06/08/2012 23:39

Lisa Jewell, I have loved all of her books particularly Ralph's Party and The Meaning of Us.

Campaspe · 04/08/2012 19:20

Caro Fraser
Joanna Trollope
Philippa Gregory
Catherine Hall

MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 01/08/2012 17:35

It was The Shadow Wife. It was the writing rather than the story, it was just terrible. Like a really bad Jodi Picoult. I have liked a couple of Jodi P though, Plain Truth and The Pact were pretty good, they just got very samey very quickly, so the formula was glaring through.

GnocchiNineDoors · 01/08/2012 17:32

Another vote for Jodi Picoult here too.

BonnieBumble · 01/08/2012 16:56

Emily Barr. Especially if you like travel.

minipie · 01/08/2012 16:50

Jodi Picoult's books can be thought provoking whilst also not too heavy going. Protagonists are usually mainly female though she does tell the story from different viewpoints as well.

I also recommend Anne Fine (better known for children's books but also does adult novels) - not "chick lit" (bit better than that Wink) but excellent female-centred novels.

LeB0F · 01/08/2012 16:44

Two recent ones that fit the bill, I think, are Me Before You, and My Dear, I Wanted To Tell You. Both great reads, and more substantial than the chick lit covers would have you believe.

TwelveLeggedWalk · 01/08/2012 16:40

Try The American Wife, as long as you go into it expecting a light read, it rattles along nicely. If you expect a searing deconstruction of the American Dream, you'd probably be disappointed Smile.

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 01/08/2012 14:33

Barbara Comyns.
All her protagonists are female and slightly bewildered.
I adore her.
Not easy to get though.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 01/08/2012 14:26

Sorry. Minge not Minnie, lol!

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 01/08/2012 14:26

Minnie, I love Diane Chamberlaine.........what one was it?

Dorothy Koomson is brilliant as is Anna Quindslen

Jessie Keans brilliant for gangster Martina Cole like book

Amanda Hockings did a great trilogy first one is calle Switched

And of course, never forget Jackie Collins, I just love her books :)

MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 31/07/2012 21:08

I tried a Diane Chamberlain recently from the library, it was by far the worst book I have tried to read in the last 5 years.

I enjoyed the Lucy Cavendish's though. I really enjoyed The Family Tree and Astonishing Splashes of Colour not strictly chick lit but good stories.

Marian Keyes is great fun, especially the earlier ones. Really good chick lit IMHO. And some of Douglas Kennedy has been good, some fairly crap though - I really like The Pursuit of Happiness and The State of the Union.

GnocchiNineDoors · 31/07/2012 21:01

I really enjoyed Lucy Canvendish's trilogy starts with 'Samantha Smyth's Modern Family Journal' which sounded boak-worthy but was infact a good read. The second and third books were good too.

SweetestThing · 31/07/2012 20:59

I'll miss getting the latest Maeve Binchy from DH at birthday/Christmas :( - a sad loss.

I've been enjoying Diane Chamberlain recently, following recommendations on another MN thread.

NoraHelmer · 31/07/2012 20:28

How about the late great Maeve Binchy?

TheLightPassenger · 31/07/2012 18:10

for top notch chicklit, Marion Keyes

for crime: Tana French, Elly Griffiths

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 31/07/2012 14:00

Nikki French - excellent thriller.

Marian Keyes - chick lit queen.

Original poster
Londonista1975 · 31/07/2012 13:58

Daytime bump.

OP posts:
tribpot · 30/07/2012 22:30

Another vote for Sara Paretsky if you've not read her. VI rocks!

iseenodust · 30/07/2012 22:29

She wrote short stories too. Rule Britannia is definitely an easy read and meets your criteria although I wouldn't go so far as to say chick lit.