Reccomend me an audiobook? I warn you...

[BertrandRussell]

.....I’m very picky!

It needs to be long. At least 15 hours. Well written, complicated but not a “classic”. A family saga sort of thing. Not too soppy. I like Marian Keyes, Penny Vincenzi, Maeve Binchy, Elizabeth Jane Hiward. I like Rivals, but not any other Jilly Cooper. I don’t like Rosamund Pilcher- too wet, or JoJo Moyes - too not Marian Keyes. I also like personality based not too gory crime- like CJSansom and Susan Hill. Val Mc Diermid is a bit too gory, but I put up with it for the characters. Love Dorothy L Sayers, but most “golden age” stuff is too short and not character driven enough.
Any ideas?

You are picky, aren't you? I've looked through my Audible library to see if I can find anything that fits the bill to recommend to you.

Can't help at all on the family saga stuff, but on not too gory character driven crime, I really like the Three Pines books by Louise Penny. They're set in Canada, usually in winter, so good for this time of year. Veers into cosy crime territory but not cloyingly so.

A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee, set in Calcutta just after the first world war also well worth a listen.

A little bit more literary, I loved His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet - more of a why he dunnit, rather than who, but really good stuff. Booker Prize shortlisted so you can feel improved as well as entertained and engaged.

The only thing is I'm not sure of the length, but fwiw, there's a series of Louise Penny books set in the same milieu so you can just get two! There are also two Abir Mukherjee books too. So, you might have got me on a technicality, but I see it as thinking outside the box...

What's more, scrolling through my Audible list revealed lots of promising forgotten stuff I have yet to listen to. Too much media, not enough time.

Poisonwood Bible? I can’t remember how long it is but it hits the other criteria.

I’ve read it rather than listened but would John Lanchester’s “Capital” work for you? Lots of characters living on a London street, overlapping stories.

The poisonwood Bible is probably going to be that long when read out loud and would also tick your box.

I would sell my granny to be able to listen to Ken Follets Knightsbridge Novels and his Century trilogy books again for the first time. Words can’t describe how brilliant they are (and very, very long!) 😁

Thank you- some brilliant ideas. On the strength of length alone (how I begrudge Audible that 7.99 for what must be practically zero outlay!) I have decided to give the Ken Follett a try this time. 40 hours and 55 minutes is a bargain, even by my standards. And 6 chapters in l’m loving it. And I think dp will like it too, which makes it even more bargainous.......

I really enjoyed Patricia Scanlan! I’ve read/listened to everything I can get my hands on

What about the Count of Monte Cristo. I never thought I would enjoy this book but was recommended by my DD. The revenge on all those who have done him ill is so intriguing and satisfying. The narration is just perfect.

For something out of the ordinary, The other typist. It is set In the era of prohibition and is about two women who work in a police station.

Enemies of the Heart. Two cousins, one English one American mary two German Brothers before the First World War. It deals with the effect of two wArs on all the families.

A necessary Evil by Abir Mukherjee a stunning ending.

Hotel on the corner of Bitter and Sweet.
Mrs Sinclair’s suitcase.
And anything by R F Delderfield

Want to read my book Bertrand?

It’s well-written (I like to think) hist-fic/family saga and v character driven. I don’t think it’s fifteen hours tho. Tis free on amazon- and true fact- it was inspired by a thread on Mumsnet.
I’d love to know what you thought.

Which Ken Follet have you started with Bert?

The Cazalets, 4 books in all and was serialised for radio 4. A family saga starting in the 30s and going through to the 60s

I really enjoyed listening to Americanah, it was 17 hours.

Also have you tried any William Boyd? My Favourite is Any Human Heart.

Or Kate Atkinson Life After Life (and then the others in the series).

@fudgesmummy- thank you so much for the recommendation! Ticks all my boxes and a few I didn’t even mention. I love architecture, am fascinated by Church history and live near Canterbury. It’s brilliant.