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Original poster

Please recommend me a book. I have a criteria :)

170 replies

Greyworm · 18/07/2019 18:33

Title says it all. I'd really appreciate any suggestions as I love reading but struggle to choose as I don't want to waste a read. I'd like to read a book over the next few weeks and I have been given a voucher for waterstones so I'm really excited.

I like books that have had the below features but not completely nessesary

  • a focus on an individual /family that span over many years/decades
  • a love interest which is very deep and complicated
  • cultural - so I may learn about another culture/time in history
  • I LOVE dystopia films and TV programmes but find some books are a it depressing as I want a sort of holdiay/light read. So I really enjoyed 1984 and a handmaid tale but don't fancy one of those.
  • I love space films but not tried to read nay spacey books yet.
I like books where a story is told by many different characters too.

Books I have read again and again, so some old favourites:
Memoirs of a geisha
The horse whisperer
The thornbirds
Fear and loathing in Las vagas
I capture the castle
The rum diary (loved this)
I liked 'one day' but couldn't get into his other books.

I can't think of many more off the top of my head but I've always loved reading. I also read a story like biography of egon schiele which I really enjoyed too. So I'm pretty open. I love art and I have an interest in classics (Greek mythology) I don't fancy reading the odyssey again though.

I'll be really grateful if anyone has any suggestions :)

OP posts:
claracluck78 · 18/07/2019 18:55

Or try Edward Rutherford. His novels tell the story of a place through many many generations and their sagas.

Sarum
Forest
London

claracluck78 · 18/07/2019 18:53

Ken Follet's Century trilogy

Three books spanning different historical periods with dynasty style families.

Lamentations · 18/07/2019 18:51

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 18/07/2019 18:50

I like the Susan Howatch Starbridge novels - set in a cathedral close in the first few decades of the twentieth century. Lots of angst, sex and an introduction to theology.

NewDayBlankPage · 18/07/2019 18:48

I think we’ve got similar taste and I recently really enjoyed Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens which fits most of the criteria.

PlonkyPlink · 18/07/2019 18:48

Days without End by Sebastian Barry

AlbusPercival · 18/07/2019 18:48

On space books, try long way to a small angry planet. It’s brilliant and ticks some of your other boxes

CourageCamille · 18/07/2019 18:48

The Forstye Saga by John Galsworthy

QuestionableMouse · 18/07/2019 18:48

www.katequinnauthor.com/series/the-empress-of-rome-saga/

These are fantastic. She has some set in the French revolution too but I've not read those yet.

Nuffaluff · 18/07/2019 18:47

My Brilliant Friend by Elana Ferrante perhaps.

WeShouldBeFriends · 18/07/2019 18:47

I just read and loved a book called Educated by Tara Westover (I think?) It certainly has a fascinating family story over 2-3 decades.

Frouby · 18/07/2019 18:46

It's not a book and not particularly cultural but Freya Norths series of the sisters from Derbyshire spans a few decades and each book is about a different sister, Freya, Pippa, Cat and then one about all of them plus their eccentric uncle.

It's light and lovely but better than chiclit and if you liked Eleanor Oliphant you would probably enjoy that series. Plus other stuff she has done.

Adele Parks has done a novel based on the world war 1 era which I really enjoyed, If You Go Away.

They are the first to spring to mind if you want something light, but engrossing and based on the fact you enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant which I also enjoyed, but is a bit of a marmite book on here.

PastTippingPoint · 18/07/2019 18:46

I really enjoyed Empress Orchid and the Last Empress both by Anchee Min. It's a fictional account of the concubine who became the empress during China when it's invaded by the British. Really, really interesting. I've red Empress Orchid twice and the Last Empress is on my shelf waiting to be reread Smile I also loved Red Azalea which is Anchee's autobiography

CrackOn · 18/07/2019 18:45

The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran. Historical fiction set in Ancient Egypt, based around the life of Pharaoh Rameses the Great's wife. Fascinating book. Her others are good too, set in different time periods about other historical figures.

PlonkyPlink · 18/07/2019 18:43

Have you tried any Daphne Du Maurier? I’m fascinated by her right now. Jamaica Inn and Rebecca are page turners - a little dark and brooding but a good holiday read.

MsAwesomeDragon · 18/07/2019 18:40

You might like the tea girl of hummingbird lane, by Lisa See.
It ticks most of your boxes, it's set mostly in China, spans a couple of decades, focuses on one family, and it's really well written.

FetchezLaVache · 18/07/2019 18:40

You might like 100 Years of Solitude... will come back if I have further inspiration!

LtGreggs · 18/07/2019 18:38

A Suitable Boy (Vikram Seth)
The Cazalet Chronicles
The Parade's End trilogy (Ford Madox Ford - from memory its actually 4 books but the last way less good than the others)

Original poster
Greyworm · 18/07/2019 18:38

Oh and last year I loved Eleanor oliphant but wasn't fussed on normal people

OP posts:
Original poster
Greyworm · 18/07/2019 18:37

I liked the bell jar.
I like watched madmen to get a view into that time in America so maybe something like that?

OP posts: