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Original poster

Can somebody recommend me an epic?

170 replies

WhistlersandJugglers · 15/03/2021 20:42

Hi, I'm in Ireland where the libraries have been closed all year and there is no sign of them opening any time soon. I want to buy a few long books to keep me going. I like family saga type books like Brick Lane, The Poisonwood Bible, Cutting for Stone, A Suitable Boy, Half of a Yellow Sun. If anybody has a suggestion I'd really appreciate it.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhistlersandJugglers · 23/03/2021 22:13

I read East of Eden several times when I was teenager. It might be the reason I love a good epic.
Sophie's Choice is another one that I'll never forget.

OP posts:
merrygoround88 · 23/03/2021 21:48

Also how could I forget - the thorn birds

merrygoround88 · 23/03/2021 21:47

The Mandibles by Lionel shriver is a fabulous family epic

Hazelnut5 · 23/03/2021 21:37

What a fantastic selection of books. Came on to suggest A Fine Balance but the OP has already read that one.

I don’t think anyone has mentioned All The Light We Cannot See.

hollyandkit · 22/03/2021 18:31

@Lobsterquadrille2

East of Eden - Steinbeck
THIS if you want an epic family saga (and one of the nastiest female characters ever).
caramac04 · 22/03/2021 18:21

The Pillars of The Earth by Ken Follet, the first in a trilogy. He has recently published a prequel, The Evening and the Morning which I’m intending to get asap.

LittleRa · 22/03/2021 18:18

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseni (author of the Kite Runner).

Etherealhedgehog · 22/03/2021 18:04

Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson

The Forsythe Saga

The Raj Quartet by Paul Scott

The God of Small Things

Sophie's Choice

Midnight's Children

derekthe1adyhamster · 22/03/2021 16:56

I second the Cynthia Harrod eagles 'Morland dynasty books'
Claire Rayner wrote a series of books about a doctor and a thespian family 'the performers' series set in the Victorian era

Gwenhwyfar · 22/03/2021 16:49

@Springfern

My brilliant friend quartet by Elena Ferrente. Best thing I ever read

Came here to say this

Ah, cross posted! There's a TV series as well.
Gwenhwyfar · 22/03/2021 16:49

The Elena Ferrante trilogy, which is actually four books I think.

Unreasonabubble · 22/03/2021 16:41

Look into Penny Vincenzi's novels. The are family saga books and are a brilliant read.

pollywollydoodler · 22/03/2021 16:39

I loved The Bean Trees (then Pigs In Heaven) are Barbara Kingsolver's early saga type novels. A teenager breaks away from her stifling hometown and a stranger presses a baby on her..

Springfern · 21/03/2021 20:27

My brilliant friend quartet by Elena Ferrente. Best thing I ever read

Came here to say this

bakingbernie · 19/03/2021 19:19

I discovered Penny Vincenzi, her Spoils of Time trilogy is very enjoyable.
I had always rejected her books, I suddenly have about 15 books to read and enjoy!

52andblue · 18/03/2021 10:53

@Disfordarkchocolate

A Dance to the Music of Time.
I came on to say this too!
womanity · 18/03/2021 10:46

@Sooverthemill

I've saved this thread as it's included so many books I live that I'm sure I can find more to read!
That was smart. I bought the books. (2 trilogies and a quartet so far...) 😂
Sooverthemill · 18/03/2021 10:43

I've saved this thread as it's included so many books I live that I'm sure I can find more to read!

FanSpamTastic · 17/03/2021 23:02

I can recommend the Glassblower Trilogy by Petra Durst-Benning.

hamper555 · 17/03/2021 22:40

The Nightingale - fabulous. And I am Pilgrim. Both completely different!

headintheproverbial · 17/03/2021 22:38

I was just about to recommend some Stephen King. The Stand is indeed amazing and very pertinent right now. I reread at the start of last year for the third time - superb. Also his Dark Tower series. A wonderful story over 7 books. Completely gripping.

Original poster
WhistlersandJugglers · 17/03/2021 21:41

@Llyn, have you seen the series Lonesome Dove? I loved it so much. The characters really stayed with me.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhistlersandJugglers · 17/03/2021 21:35

I've never read The Stand but I've heard good things about it. It's definitely going on the list.
I loved all the Wally Lamb books. I think Mark Ruffalo won an award for the mini-series. I hope it pops up on Netflix or free to air at some point.

OP posts:
vilamoura2003 · 17/03/2021 21:16

It doesn't quite fit with the genre you have indicated but it is epic - my recommendation would be The Stand by Stephen King 😇

Disfordarkchocolate · 17/03/2021 20:34

A Dance to the Music of Time.

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