Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

To ask for recommendations for a really long amazing book?

222 replies

theotherfossilsister · 27/04/2022 19:52

Something I can immerse myself in. I like historical fiction (Wolf Hall and BUTB, The Crimson Petal and the White, All the Light We Cannot See) but open to anything big and brilliant and immersive.

Oh I also love The Cazalet Chronicles which were recommended on here, and really enjoyed I Claudius despite thinking it would be dry (it wasn't dry.)

Any recommendations please?

OP posts:
chisanunian · 27/04/2022 22:07

River God by Wilbur Smith.

Absolutesuperstar · 27/04/2022 22:04

A traveller at the gates of wisdom by John Boyne is unlike anything I have ever read before. It sweeps from the birth of Christ through to Donald Trump. Each chapter is set in a different time/place but the characters retain their history. It’s difficult to explain and do it justice - well worth a read.

ChuckBerrysBoots · 27/04/2022 22:03

Oh yes, The Hearts Invisible Furies is wonderful

HemanOrSheRa · 27/04/2022 21:54

EarringsandLipstick · 27/04/2022 21:38

Yes also to Possession & The Secret History.

Also, I love Wally Lamb, I know this much is true was mentioned but also She's Come Undone. Amazing writer. I struggled a bit with his latest (or maybe there's something since) we are water - couldn't quite get into it.

In terms of long, epic reads I used to love James Clavell when I was a teenager, Shogun being the longest.

Did anyone mention A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? Lovely book.

Oh She's Come Undone is so good. I love Delores! I'm going to reread it over the bank holiday weekend.

Yika · 27/04/2022 21:41

I also loved A suitable Boy, Middlemarch, War and Peace, and Anna Karenina - you get swept up in and absorbed by the vast casts of characters and the events and atmosphere of the times.

i am currently reading The Way We Live Now by Antony Trollope and it’s vast and fresh and engaging. His characters are all very relatable even to a 21st century reader.

EarringsandLipstick · 27/04/2022 21:38

Yes also to Possession & The Secret History.

Also, I love Wally Lamb, I know this much is true was mentioned but also She's Come Undone. Amazing writer. I struggled a bit with his latest (or maybe there's something since) we are water - couldn't quite get into it.

In terms of long, epic reads I used to love James Clavell when I was a teenager, Shogun being the longest.

Did anyone mention A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? Lovely book.

StillWeRise · 27/04/2022 21:34

Middlemarch
honestly, so much in it that stays with you

moreshitandnofuckingredemption · 27/04/2022 21:33

bellac11 · 27/04/2022 20:21

Edward Rutherford historical novels about the development of nation states China and Russia (Russka) also about Sailsbury (Sarum), New York and Paris.

The Russian one is phenomenal

Was coming on to suggest this, loved Sarum

PadamPadam · 27/04/2022 21:29

It's already been mentioned but if you like the Cazalet quartet then you will probably like The Forsythe Saga too.

Also anything by Elizabeth Taylor? Elizabeth Jane Howard admired her writing very much and was influenced by her so similar writing styles.

EarringsandLipstick · 27/04/2022 21:24

AssignedBlobbyAtBirth · 27/04/2022 20:56

I'm going to add to love of The Poisonwood Bible. One of my all time favourite books

Just because everyone seems to love this - I hate (and use the word advisedly) this book. One of the very few books I truly disliked.
I said this before on MN & one person agreed with me! Was delighted to find my kindred spirit!
(I really like BK's non-fiction, just not fiction).

EarringsandLipstick · 27/04/2022 21:22

TreeTrials · 27/04/2022 20:50

The Deptford Trilogy is amazing

I have been reading this thread shaking my head at other recommendations, just not my bag at all, but YES to this. A favourite and few people (that I know) know about it.

mamaduckbone · 27/04/2022 21:22

I was also going to say The Poisonwood Bible - it definitely fits your criteria - and would add a vote for The Goldfinch.

I can't understand the love for A Little Life - it was just too bleak for me.

HemanOrSheRa · 27/04/2022 21:21

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb.

VaddaABeetch · 27/04/2022 21:20

They’re not long but there’s lots of them Cadfael

Onlythelaundryfairy · 27/04/2022 21:18

Much more lightweight than pp's suggestions, but the Sisters series by Lucinda Riley.

Mufflette · 27/04/2022 21:17

Both have already been mentioned, but Possession and The Goldfinch.

TRC11 · 27/04/2022 21:17

You would love The Egyptologist by Arthur Phillips

countrygirl99 · 27/04/2022 21:17

Unknown Soldiers by Vainö Linna. Its the story of a group of Finnish soldiers fighting the Russians during the 2nd World War.

Onceuponatimethen · 27/04/2022 21:14

pp who did possession I totally agree

ChubbyBroccoli · 27/04/2022 21:14

RF Delderfield - Horseman Riding By trilogy / Swann family series / The Avenue series

Dorothy Dunnett - Lymond Chronicles then House of Niccolo (in that order)

bellac11 · 27/04/2022 21:10

MrsMigginsCat · 27/04/2022 21:09

Just coming on to mention Edward Rutherfurd. Chunky great books. 'London' was nearly 1000 pages. The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett is good too if a romp through the 20th century in your thing.

Show quote history

I forgot London!

Its my home town, I dont know how I managed that

Brilliant books

Lunaballoon · 27/04/2022 21:09

Haus1234 · 27/04/2022 20:18

Great Circle, by Maggie Shipstead which was on last years Booker list - a fictional story of an early female aviator but with a lot of actual historical context.

Seconding Great Circle. Another one I enjoyed is The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert, both have very strong female lead characters.

MrsMigginsCat · 27/04/2022 21:09

bellac11 · 27/04/2022 20:21

Edward Rutherford historical novels about the development of nation states China and Russia (Russka) also about Sailsbury (Sarum), New York and Paris.

The Russian one is phenomenal

Just coming on to mention Edward Rutherfurd. Chunky great books. 'London' was nearly 1000 pages. The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett is good too if a romp through the 20th century in your thing.

JustCleaningtheBBQ · 27/04/2022 21:07

the Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

mumonthehill · 27/04/2022 21:00

Cathedral by Ben Hopkins, long and historical.