Big fat juicy sagas

I absolutely loved it. It was on kindle unlimited too, I saw it recommended on a mumsnet thread.

I’ve got the first of the Morland books on kindle, got it for 99p.

I saw someone upthread recommend Olivia Manning, read the first one and loved it.

I see a few people have recommended books set in India. I’m going to look and seee if I can find any kindle bargains. I recently read A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry which was devastating. Brilliant but I’m not sure it was quite fluffy enough to fit into this genre.

I re read the Camomile Lawn recently and with modern eye was disgusted by the underplaying of child sexual abuse. And should come with a warning for anyone who is affected by such abuse. It isn't a "bonkbuster"

With the India theme in mind ... I loved The Raj Quartet - one of the books, The Jewel in the Crown was the name for an equally fantastic TV series. There is also the sequel Staying On.

More recently, A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth - is so big it is like 3 books in one. Which of the 3 suitors will she go with?

Cynthia Harrod-Eagles Moorland Dynasty series is immense. There's 36 books covering the Wars of the Roses to the outbreak of WWII!

‘The Far Pavilions’ also springs to mind.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Far-Pavilions-M-Kaye/dp/0241953022/ref=asc_df_0241953022?mcid=9ea0285cced33a9f8df17b759ad96068&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697241315916&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16890692249137828211&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045111&hvtargid=pla-491445388790&psc=1&hvocijid=16890692249137828211-0241953022-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

Brazil - published in 1986 is an epic, saga book which I loved when I first read it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brazil-Errol-Lincoln-Uys/dp/0330299492

‘The lindens’

Read this recently which focuses on several generations all living at the same house. Enjoyable read. Published 2024 so relatively recent.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lindens-Barney-Jeffries/dp/B0DLG2H7QR

Also, Hawaii by James A Michener

They aren’t new or recent but for a saga I loved the first three Egyptian books by Wilbur Smith - River God, The Seventh Scroll and Warlock. There are others but these first three are the best (in my opinion)

Fab thread,have snaffled some ideas!
How about The Thornbirds by Colleen McCullough.I really enjoyed it.
Also agree re Cazalet Chronicles. Have read the latest one( advance copy) I was really disappointed.

I'm currently reading The Bronze Horsmem Trilogy by Paulina Simons.
Ok the books are early 2000's but I enoy them.

Land of the long white cloud by Sarah Lark are also worth a read they were published 2012- 14.

On the other hand I really like older authors like Leon Uris (1950's), Octavia Butler (1970's) and have recently started the Alexander Trilogy by Mary Renault (1970's/80's). The language is different, that's what I enjoy, I feel like I am learning again. Just keep in mind English isn't my first language! I also read books in French & German... and sometimes Dutch. So writing style/ language use is important to me

I’ve found my people! Lots here that I haven’t discovered. I have a couple of suggestions - I don’t like Philippa Gregory’s tudor novels, she wrote a three novel saga - the first one is Wideacre. Somewhat disturbing but very entertaining and engaging!

Susan Sallis wrote a saga series of 4 books based on 4 sisters called March, April, May and June.
I've not read them for years but they were good fun.

Heading off to inspect my bookshelves!

Douglas Kennedy writes some stonking sagas; The Pursuit of Happiness, A Special Relationship, Leaving the World, The Dead Heart and The Woman in the Fifth are all excellent. (Not bonkbusters though).

@MaryasBible I haven't heard Czardas mentioned for many years. I must have read it nearly 40 years ago. I've lost my copy but I'd love to read it again.

Victoria hislop eg the return. The fugurine.

I have found my people ! 🥳

@Firebox64 - like you, I became hooked on the Whiteoaks as a teenager and re-read them when pregnant with DD, who is now 51.
I especially loved The Building of Jalna, and Mary Wakefield.

@MaryasBible - I’m currently halfway through Winter of the World after seeing Ken Follett recommended on a similar thread.
Love Susan Howatch ( though not the Starbridge ones), and Csardas is definitely in my top three GOAT novels. Read it so many times.

I came on to suggest the Norah Lofts “House” trilogy but see @MissAmbrosia has beaten me to it !
In a similar vein, another “oldie” I love is Anya Seton - some books more than others but especially Devil Water ( Jacobite Rebellion ) and Katherine ( Swynford, mistress of John of Gaunt).
Newer writers of family sagas ( don’t care for the “bonkbusters” genre ) seem to be few and far between don’t they.
Will try Anna, Fleur and Emma as recommended above.

Of you are looking for a big book with a great story I would recommend shogun. I re-read it again recently and it was as good as I remembered

Try the Easter Trilogy by Beryl Kingston

Yes! Fleur is £8.99 on kindle. I keep my eyes pealed for it in charity shops. Anna was on kindle unlimited. But not Fleur.

More historical but I adored the Nora Loft House trilogy and The Sunne in Splendor by Sharon Penman - a monster of a book about Richard III. Definitely not dry.

Bonkbusters and/or family sagas?

East of Eden is a cracking saga.
Olivia Manning's Balkan and Levant trilogies?
Aga sagas - Joanna Trollope (and her antecedent's Barchester Chronicles)
Mary Wesley

Have you read the Outlander books? I watched the TV adaptation a while ago but am loving the books so much more. And they’re all whoppers!

Has anyone tried The Deverill Chronicles - Santa Montefiore - I don't read anything like this but it is contemporary and she is prolific.

Some of the titles mentioned bring back lovely memories, especially Sarah Pearson.
i loved Sarah Harrison’s Flowers of the Field

Nora Robert’s writes lots of trilogies, she’s weirdly lesser known here but times best seller 1mx over.