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Original poster

Books which follow characters over many years?

85 replies

Bearg · 28/05/2024 17:40

I love books which really dig into the character/characters and follow them over their lifetime or many years. Some of my favourites are Summer Sisters by Judy Blume, One Day by David Nicholls, and I've almost finished Lessons by Ian McEwan which I have also enjoyed.

Can anyone recommend any other similar books?

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CadyEastman · 10/09/2026 17:54

MissMappsGardenProduce · 26/08/2026 19:17

I've just mentioned this on another thread but, unabashed, I'll recommend it here too

The Old Wives' Tale by Arnold Bennett.

It follows two sisters from girlhood to old age and it is a fantastic read.

Thanks for that @MissMappsGardenProduce. I’ve only read one of his books but it was a really good read. I will add that one to my list too.

I recommended Pachinko earlier up the thread. I’m just waiting for Min Jin Lee’s next book, American Hagwon to be released later in the month. It follows one family whilst living in 3 continents and it’s also a whopper at 656 pages.

123teenagerfood · 09/09/2026 22:17

Elena Ferrante her Neopolitan quartet follows two friends in Italy. Start with My Brilliant Friend. Best books i have read so far this year.

MissMappsGardenProduce · 26/08/2026 19:40

It's set in the same area as Clayhanger but it also moves to Paris.

It was written around 1909/10 but it begins in the 1860s. It hooked me and it was very satisfying to follow two sisters, who end up with very different lives, right through to their old age.

It's a bit of a chunker at over 600 pages but, if you do try it @suburburban I hope you enjoy it,

suburburban · 26/08/2026 19:31

MissMappsGardenProduce · 26/08/2026 19:17

I've just mentioned this on another thread but, unabashed, I'll recommend it here too

The Old Wives' Tale by Arnold Bennett.

It follows two sisters from girlhood to old age and it is a fantastic read.

Sounds good

i vaguely remember my mum watching Clayhanger in the 70s

MissMappsGardenProduce · 26/08/2026 19:17

I've just mentioned this on another thread but, unabashed, I'll recommend it here too

The Old Wives' Tale by Arnold Bennett.

It follows two sisters from girlhood to old age and it is a fantastic read.

tobee · 20/08/2026 23:42

Middlesex

CadyEastman · 19/08/2026 15:33

Panchinko by Min Jin Lee follows a family over years. One of my DC read it first and bought me a copy they loved it so much.

Boodahh · 19/08/2026 13:56

The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields

Agree about Elizabeth Strout. All of hers are brilliant and follow the lives of Olive Kitteridge, Lucy Barton and many others. Tell me Everything has lots of her characters together in 1 book.

Never read Susan Howatch but remember the covers from the 80s. Maybe should give them a go.

suburburban · 18/08/2026 18:28

Susan Howatch, wheel of fortune or Penmaric

Dappy777 · 18/08/2026 14:13

Anthony Powell: A Dance to the Music of Time.

Aldous Huxley: Eyeless in Gaza

Oscar Wilde: Dorian Gray

Evelyn Waugh: Brideshead Revisited

Dappy777 · 18/08/2026 14:09

Franklefoot · 28/05/2024 18:19

The Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard. Family saga, many characters over many years, 1930's to 1950's.

Yes, great choice

WiltonGal · 18/08/2026 09:50

Old thread but wanted to add, I am doing some comfort reading and have bought second hand copies of Penny Vincenzi trilogy called The Spoils of Time. I am two down, what a treat. Follows the Lytton family over the war years, they run a publishing company. It is immersive, like the Cazalet Chronicles. Nobody seems to write these big fat juicy sagas any more.

Wonkypictureframe · 29/05/2024 11:38

Mrs Everything by Jennifer Weiner is another good one.

nythbran2 · 29/05/2024 11:34

Valerie Anand's Bridges over Time series. Runs from 1000 to about 1950!

ToriTheStoryteller · 29/05/2024 11:30

suburburban · 29/05/2024 07:32

Yes loved that one, she was a pilot?

Show quote history

Yes. It was one of those books where I ended up wanting to Google her name because she felt so real that I needed to find out more about her!

Mothership4two · 29/05/2024 10:43

[snigger] sorry 😳

Latenightreader · 29/05/2024 08:52

Have you tried Fannie Flagg?

suburburban · 29/05/2024 07:32

ToriTheStoryteller · 29/05/2024 06:13

Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead.
Beautiful book, spanning the lifetime of an incredible woman.

Non-fiction. The Less You Know The Sounder You Sleep by Juliet Butler. Amazing, tough read. It's the true story of con-joined twins born into Stalin's Russia.

Yes loved that one, she was a pilot?

ToriTheStoryteller · 29/05/2024 06:13

Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead.
Beautiful book, spanning the lifetime of an incredible woman.

Non-fiction. The Less You Know The Sounder You Sleep by Juliet Butler. Amazing, tough read. It's the true story of con-joined twins born into Stalin's Russia.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 29/05/2024 05:29

Wild Swans - Chang

Follows 3 generations of women through huge changes in China over 100+ years.

TamD71 · 28/05/2024 23:50

The bronze horseman trilogy by paullina Simons - my absolute favourite books.

Justleaveitblankthen · 28/05/2024 23:45

The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger

Stayeduptoolateagain · 28/05/2024 23:18

Roots by Alex Hayley

BeMoreEfficient · 28/05/2024 23:15

PlainJaneSuperbrainthe2nd · 28/05/2024 19:07

Someone beat me to Any Human Heart!
Also - Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively and Larry's Party (I think that's the title) by Carol Shields. Both brilliant books

See also The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields

If you like Dickens how about Great Expectations or David Copperfield?

ShillyShallySherbet · 28/05/2024 23:00

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