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Original poster

Book recommendations - multiple narrators/set against a large political backdrop

35 replies

Kai1977 · 15/07/2015 13:14

Hello

I'm looking for two types of books (mainly because I love reading, but also because I'm in the process of writing my first novel and want to get some idea of how to tackle things). Can you recommend any great books that fall into these categories please?

  1. Books with multiple narrators, for example, Half of a Yellow Sun

  2. Books set against a vast political landscape (UK or abroad), for example, Midnight's Children?

Ideally literary fiction but happy with well written genre fiction too.

Thanks!

OP posts:
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Stingingthistle · 03/08/2015 03:19

Snow by orhan pamuk

NotCitrus · 01/08/2015 15:06

Quicksilver and the rest of the Baroque Trilogy by Neal Stephenson. Includes all ofEuropean history and politics from 1650-1750, with narrators including Leibniz, Newton, Sophia of Hannover, etc.

Also seconding Poisonwood Bible and Glass Palace and others by Amritav Ghosh.

frogletsmum · 01/08/2015 14:45

Another vote for Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible: utterly brilliant.
And also by her, The Lacuna, written as a series of notebooks with 'extras' such as newspaper reports and notes by an archivist who becomes, herself, a character with a highly individual voice. A huge sweeping story set against the backdrop of revolutionary Mexico and then McCarthyite America. Highly recommended.

kungfupannda · 31/07/2015 18:57

You could try Maggie Gee's The Flood - multiple viewpoint and environmental/political.

Full disclosure - I know Maggie and she's lovely. But would still recommend it if I didn't Smile

kungfupannda · 31/07/2015 18:39

I've just finished The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell and loved it. Much preferred it to Cloud Atlas for some reason.

aoife24 · 30/07/2015 22:58

Perhaps the Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst. Set in the 19880s, very strong Conservative backdrop, early days of Aids. Great read.

hackmum · 28/07/2015 09:46

I'd second The English Passengers by Matthew Kneale - it doesn't get mentioned very often these days because he hasn't really lived up to his early promise but it's an immensely entertaining book.

Would also second ghostwritten.

tormentil · 28/07/2015 09:31

Susan Howatch: Wheel of Fortune, Penmarric, Cashelmara. Sins of the Fathers, The Rich are Different

Multiple narrators AND a big political landscape in every story.

doodlecrayon · 27/07/2015 22:18

Lots and lots and lots of narrators: Louise Edrich's Love Medicine

HUGE political backdrop: In the Eye of the Sun by Ahdaf Soueif.

Both brilliant, imho!

wwbuffydo · 24/07/2015 01:14

How about stone's fall by Ian pears? Fulfills both I think....

DuchessofMalfi · 23/07/2015 14:17

Cote has already suggested Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, I would recommend Ghostwritten also by him. Multiple narrators, and some political background. I'm reading it at the moment and it's rather good Smile

grendel · 23/07/2015 13:16

What about a Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel? Huge political landscape of the French revolution and includes all the main players. Read this book years ago and absolutely loved it.

yesbutnobut · 18/07/2015 20:06

Also by AMitov Ghosh - the Sea of Poppies (it's a trilogy about the opium wars)

marchduck · 18/07/2015 19:59

Might be worth looking at 2666 by Roberto Bolano. It has five parts which link together. I couldn't stop thinking about it after I had finished it.

anyquestions · 18/07/2015 00:05

Surprised no one has mentioned the Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. It's a while since I read it, but doesn't that tick both boxes?

highlandcoo · 16/07/2015 21:55

You could also look at Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese, and The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh. Great insights into political change in Ethiopia and Burma respectively.

And A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. Which divides opinions here on MN - I rate it as excellent and looking forward to rereading it for the second time later this year. Deals with the Emergency in Bombay late 70s/early 80s.

Emily2608 · 16/07/2015 20:25

I'm not the religious type at all but recently I've read the most amazing book on Amazon called ancient translations from genesis to Deuteronomy being 100 pounds I was put off but it's the best 100 I've EVER SPENT over totally re evaluated my life and parenting. I cannot recommend enough

Original poster
Kai1977 · 16/07/2015 13:41

Thanks all, some great suggestions here. I've read a fair few of those suggested but may have a re-read of White Teeth, Cloud Atlas and Captain Correlli. There are also new books that I'll definitely check out. Please do keep them coming!

OP posts:
AnneOfAramis · 16/07/2015 12:46

LondonZoo - yes it does. Almost all his books do. I love them.

LondonZoo · 16/07/2015 11:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

highlandcoo · 16/07/2015 08:56

English Passengers by Matthew Kneale is a fantastic example of multiple narrators - loads of them but each person's voice is unique.

will be back with more thoughts

Sgtmajormummy · 16/07/2015 08:24

Sorry for dumping and running on my last post, bedtime was approaching!

I've decided to take White Teeth as holiday reading this year because, although it was a contemporary novel when it first came out (15? years ago), it explores a lot of social themes which have escalated today. It will be my third time of reading it.

antimatter · 15/07/2015 23:11

The Luminaries for your first category

AnneOfAramis · 15/07/2015 23:09

Louis de Berniere's books all have superbly executed political landscapes and multiple narrators.

Sgtmajormummy · 15/07/2015 22:58

Have you read White Teeth by Zadie Smith?