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Original poster

Is there a (fiction) novel that is universally acclaimed and loved?

116 replies

JMSA · 17/01/2024 18:45

Looking for book recommendations for a book group I've just joined. I'm a little nervous about putting forward my first title, as I really don't know these people very well. I'm thinking it makes sense to 'play it safe' with my first choice of book. It has to be fiction and not onerously long. Max 400 pages.
We've just finished Hidden Windows by Jason Rekulak.
Group is mostly made up of secondary school English teachers, so something a wee bit different would be good, as the Classics will have been covered!

Thank you very much Smile

OP posts:
Nestofwalnuts · 17/01/2024 22:27

fernsandlilies · 17/01/2024 19:43

Another recommendation for Daphne du Maurier here - especially The Scapegoat, a fantastic book to read and great to discuss in a group

Thank you for mentioning this. I love du Maurier but hadn't heard of this one. Will definitely look it up.

Original poster
JMSA · 17/01/2024 22:19

@SLawsonB

A Thousand Splendid Suns is my favourite ever book.

OP posts:
Original poster
JMSA · 17/01/2024 22:18

similarminimer · 17/01/2024 22:16

Hooray! Glad you took the advice to ignore all other recommendations! Please will you let us know how it went - would love to hear the discussion themes.

Will do!

OP posts:
similarminimer · 17/01/2024 22:16

Hooray! Glad you took the advice to ignore all other recommendations! Please will you let us know how it went - would love to hear the discussion themes.

SLawsonB · 17/01/2024 22:12

allthecakesinalltheworld · 17/01/2024 19:28

The kite runner, Khaled Hosseini (his next book A thousand splendid suns is also excellent)

I read A thousand splendid suns when I was 13 Grin Been a keen and passionate reader ever since

Hated books before I read books with decent content! Even as a teen

cyclamenqueen · 17/01/2024 22:09

Never Let me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro is a great book club book . Universally acclaimed but also easy to read and a page turner and with lots of interesting themes for discussion .

more recently I loved Hamnet by Maggie OFarrall and lessons in chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.

from a classics POV Portrait of a Lady by Henry James or maybe Edith Wharton .

SaborDeSoledad · 17/01/2024 21:37

It is long - can't deny that. But a great read.

LifeofBrienne · 17/01/2024 21:35

Glad you found a book. If your book group is ever open to non-fiction, then do check out Unfollow by Meghan Phelps Roper. Fascinating and moving.

Original poster
JMSA · 17/01/2024 21:34

SaborDeSoledad · 17/01/2024 21:31

@EweCee beat me to the Demon Copperhead recommendation!

I definitely fancy this, although some may grumble about the length.

OP posts:
Original poster
JMSA · 17/01/2024 21:33

Thank you everyone. You are all just really lovely people, and I appreciate your comments very much.
I have opted for Trespasses by Louise Kennedy, as I think it will be a good fit.
That is my suggestion for THIS time. I will keep in mind all your recommendations for future meets.
Thank you again Flowers

OP posts:
SaborDeSoledad · 17/01/2024 21:31

@EweCee beat me to the Demon Copperhead recommendation!

SaborDeSoledad · 17/01/2024 21:30

Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver
Dominicana - Angie Cruz
Good Behaviour - Molly Keane
Small Pleasures - Clare Chambers

CuriousMoe · 17/01/2024 21:30

@madeleine85 yes! Another Maas fan 🤣. Hope you’re ready for the new release on the 30th!!
A note to anyone tempted by the Maas-verse… you’re in for a ride and running a risk of becoming totally pulled down the rabbit hole. You could have a book club only for those. If I could find one… I’d join!

EweCee · 17/01/2024 21:29

Ones from my book club that I’ve loved - but also stimulated lots of discussion:
Still Life - Sarah Winman
Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver
The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula le Guin
The Last Day - Andrew Hunter Murray
Anatomy - Dana Schwartz
Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmuss
The Keeper of Stories - Sally Page (light, but I really enjoyed it)
American Dirt - Jeanine Cummings
A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khalid Hosseini
How to Kill Your Family - Bella Mackie
Sixteen Trees of the Somme - Lars Mytting
Hamnet - Maggie O’Farrell

TwinFireSigns · 17/01/2024 21:27

There's definitely no book that's universally loved - I saw a review of Pride & Prejudice that had gone viral recently that said something like 'just a boring book about people going to each other's houses'. But even if you did find one that everyone loved, it might make for a boring discussion anyway?

MadamVastra · 17/01/2024 21:21

I loved the thirteenth tale but couldn't finish once upon a river

senua · 17/01/2024 21:16

I think [mixed opinions] tend to make for a more interesting discussion than when everyone loves a book.
Totally agree. Part of the reason for joining a book club is to read things that you might not normally pick.

I love these threads. I take copious notes!

aliceinanwonderland · 17/01/2024 21:12

FrostyMorn · 17/01/2024 19:30

You have some great suggestions above. Another vote here for Piranesi and a new suggestion: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield. Went down well with my book group so I recommended it to another, who also liked it.

I read The Thirteenth Tale by her and loved it! Fantastic to learn she's written another novel. Thank you!!

CatChant · 17/01/2024 21:12

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
Falling by Elizabeth Jane Howard
Hideous Kinky by Esther Freud

cariadlet · 17/01/2024 21:11

EwwSprouts · 17/01/2024 21:06

Lessons in Chemistry (not about a teacher!) was a big hit.
Still Life by Sarah Winman Is just over your 400 pages but easy reading.

We read both of these for my book club and there were mixed opinions.

I think that tends to make for a more interesting discussion than when everyone loves a book.

Nerdle · 17/01/2024 21:08

Such a fun age by Kiley Reid. Easy read and loads to talk about

EwwSprouts · 17/01/2024 21:06

Lessons in Chemistry (not about a teacher!) was a big hit.
Still Life by Sarah Winman Is just over your 400 pages but easy reading.

MadamVastra · 17/01/2024 21:05

valley of the dolls by Jacqueline Susann

An oldie but oh so goodie

a couple had read it at our club but no one minded reading it again and the discussions after were great!

Bubbs74 · 17/01/2024 21:05

I've just read hidden pictures, found the ending a bit boring. I've started saving Noah by Lucinda berry. Sounds like it could be a good discussion afterwards

Carriemac · 17/01/2024 20:59

Trespasses is an excellent suggestion - perfect for a book club of teacher !