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Original poster

Books spanning several years

80 replies

mablemaybe · 09/05/2024 16:27

I don't mean those epic books covering thousands of years.

Having just read One Day I'm looking for recommendations that follow characters over several years, seeing how their lives pan out. Maybe 20 or 40 or so.

OP posts:
suburburban · 10/05/2024 13:46

MermaidEyes · 09/05/2024 17:05

Seconding the Cazalet Chronicles. I've just recently re-read them again. Love those books!

That's what I was going to post about. Love EJHs books

JaninaDuszejko · 10/05/2024 13:41

LongLongTimeAg0 · 10/05/2024 11:10

Mary Wesley's The Camomile Lawn.

The story of five cousins & their friends/lovers beginning when they are 18/19 in August 1939 at the outbreak of war, closing with them re-uniting for a funeral in their sixties in 1984.

I want to reread this, I always wanted a camomile lawn because of it. Just costed up having one in our front guarden (don't tell DH).

The TV version had Jennifer Ehle playing Calypso in her first big role.

shiftingsandsoftime · 10/05/2024 12:46

Second vote for Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.

Currently reading Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher, also seems to cover many years, although not finished it yet (long book).

QueenBitch666 · 10/05/2024 12:20

The Jalna series by Mazo de la Roche

LongLongTimeAg0 · 10/05/2024 11:10

Mary Wesley's The Camomile Lawn.

The story of five cousins & their friends/lovers beginning when they are 18/19 in August 1939 at the outbreak of war, closing with them re-uniting for a funeral in their sixties in 1984.

TonTonMacoute · 10/05/2024 10:32

Tim Pears - In a Land of Plenty

Philip Henscher - Northern Clemency

rollmop · 10/05/2024 10:29

Two 80s early 20thc set romances by Lavyrle Spencer that I read fairly recently and really enjoyed:

Years https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/772716

Morning Glory https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/987577

Both have stuff in them that wouldn't get written now (it was acceptable in the 80s etc), but the writing & storytelling holds up very well. Also, re: the Years Goodreads link - That cover 🙄, takes me right back to my granny's mobile library book pile, and not especially indicative of the plot.

mynewusername2023 · 10/05/2024 10:29

Also another vote for the seven Sisters series.

mynewusername2023 · 10/05/2024 10:28

The Spoils of Time trilogy by Penny Vincenzi spans about 3 generations. Also the Clifton Chronicles by Jeffrey Archer is a 7 book series which spans maybe 40 years.

JoJothegerbil · 10/05/2024 10:14

Another vote for Any Human Heart. I must reread it sometime.

The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett is also a good read.

I'll add Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer. An oldie, but a goodie.

FencingForearmed · 10/05/2024 09:48

Time Travellers Wife sprung to mind
Phillipa Gregory usually encompassed the lifespan too

Blackcats7 · 10/05/2024 09:45

I came here to recommend The Cazalet Chronicles too. One of my favourite series.

WestEndWindy · 10/05/2024 09:41

Agree with Any Human Heart. One of my all time favourites.

Mothership4two · 10/05/2024 09:27

lozrox90 · 09/05/2024 21:26

Another recommendation for Any Human Heart by William Boyd. Fantastic book.

Me too. Loved it as did everyone at book club (rare event)

Second Gone With The Wind - again been a fair few years since I read it.

lozrox90 · 09/05/2024 21:26

Another recommendation for Any Human Heart by William Boyd. Fantastic book.

QuietlyWonderful · 09/05/2024 21:03

The Forsyte Saga - how one generation's actions have repercussions for the next and the next.

LaMariposa · 09/05/2024 21:02

My Real Children by Jo Walton

Bbq1 · 09/05/2024 21:00

The 7 sisters series by the wonderful - and much missed - Lucinda Riley.

WestEndWindy · 09/05/2024 20:06

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb.

Tristar15 · 09/05/2024 19:59

Any Human Heart - William Boyd
Wuthering Heights - Emily Brontë

IOYOYO · 09/05/2024 19:53

The Bee Sting and Gone with the Wind are two of my favourites

coolcoolcoolcool · 09/05/2024 19:50

Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus

coolcoolcoolcool · 09/05/2024 19:48

A Little Life - Hanya Yanagihara

titchy · 09/05/2024 19:29

I'll add A Gentleman in Moscow and 100 Years of Solitude.

taleasoldashoney · 09/05/2024 19:26

Peaches and Honey - there is a slight hint of fantasy because the main character lives a long time but it's beautiful, covers years of history as well as the central characters on life story

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