Epic sequences to immerse yourself in

[NothingIsOK]

Hello book people of mn. I didn't know you were here before today, but I'm very glad to find you.

I am currently obsessed with reading sequences of novels. Preferably great long series covering generations or a whole patch of time and place.

Does anyone else have this particular literary itch?

My current find is the Rougon-Macquart sequence by Zola. I've just finished The Belly of Paris. Three down, 17 to go and I couldn't be happier. There is something so comforting about knowing I won't run out of great reading material for good while.

What other great sequences might I have missed? Happy to share my previous finds if there are other posters interested.

[MaQueen]

Terry Goodkind has written a huge fantasy series starting with 'Wizards First Rule'. I have only read the first four, but his imagination is extraordinary.

Also loved Game of Thrones. Truly epic.

[Squirrills]

Oh yes I remember wading through the Thomas Covenant series - must be 30 years ago?
Was it James Clavell? Shogun series?

[NothingIsOK]

Omg, Thomas Covenant series! I haven't thought about those for decades, but remember them so vividly. The ambiguity of the central character was captivating, and the landscapes and worlds so compelling.

Yy to Balkan trilogy. I learned a lot from that one.

Has anyone else read the Ibis trilogy? Can't recall the author right now, but set in the time of he trade de wars across three continents, and fascinating about the beginnings of Hong Kong.

[tobee]

I'm about half way the first of the Balkan Trilogy, Fortunes of War by Olivia Manning set in Roumania start of world war 2. Then there is the Levant Trilogy. It's semi autobiographical and much more involving than I thought it would be.

Emma Thompson and Kenneth Brannagh did a TV version when they were married which I didn't watch (because they annoyed me at the time).

[InsaneDame]

I've had the first book of The Wheel of Time on my book shelf for about 10 years and still haven't read it.....

[PassTheCremeEggs]

Second Ken Follett's Century trilogy - so so good - I recommend it to everyone who asks for a book suggestion!

[annatha]

Phillipa Gregory's Cousin's War series is really good, I read them in the wrong order as I started with The White Queen after seeing the TV adaptation but there's about 8 books covering 200 years or so.

[mumblesdad]

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, his ten-novel fantasy series. Initially hard work the first 60 pages as the hero is an anti-hero but the characters are amazing.

Just finished the Passage Trilogy and that was brilliant

[timeforabrewnow]

John Galsworthy - definitely

Philip Pullman - okay - only 3 books - but IMHO brilliant (better than the movie/s)

YY to Barchester Chronicles

[BakewellTartAgain]

I really enjoyed Bernard Cornwell's Arthur series. It had elements of magic that lifted it for me from his usual historical novels.

[MrsNuckyThompson]

Also a huge fan of the Dark Tower. It isn't horror. In fact King hasn't really written any horror in decades. He's a fantastic story teller.

I enjoyed outlander. There are 8 of those! Love this thread!

Someone mentioned Shardlake. They're good but there are only 5 I think and it's not 'finished' whatever that means so you'll end up waiting seemingly interminably for the next one!!

[EllaHen]

I misread the thread title as epic sentences and I came on to read all your favourite sentences. You know, a bit of Tennyson, probably some Shakespeare, definitely some Blyton.

[AccioWine]

Rue that's amazing - no-one I mention it to has ever heard of it! I love the female characters, even the Red Ajah

[RueDeDay]

Was just about to recommend the Wheel of Time series also. Excellent writing and really strong engaging female characters.

[AccioWine]

Not sure this would be your cup of tea, but The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan is great - pure fantasy. And it's 13 (rather thick) books so would keep you going for a bit.

[NothingIsOK]

This is brilliant. I'm going to have to save this thread. Thank you all so much!

[HumptyDumptyBumpty]

Elizabeth Peters, the Peabody/Emerson series, about 20 books or so, starts with the Crocodile on the Sandbank. She's a redoubtable Victorian lady who wants to be an Egyptologist, he's loosely based on Flinders Petrie. V funny, sweet, sweeping, family archeology saga. I adore them (but I am an Egyptologist, so may be biased ).

[InsaneDame]

Yes to Pillars of the Earth! Love Ken Follet!

[Smellyrose]

Cynthia Harrod Eagles The Moreland Dynasty - 35 books spanning hundreds of years!

[maamalady]

Lindsey Davis' Falco books - starts with The Silver Pigs. Marcus Didius Falco is a Roman PI, there are loads of books, very interesting and also funny.

If you like fantasy then Terry Pratchett, Robin Hobb, and George RR Martin are all well worth your time.

DH would suggest Hornblower, but I've not read them myself.

[Squirrills]

Ken Follett has written quite a few door stopping series.
I enjoyed the Century trilogy, the first one being the best.
Agree they could do with some editing but I just skip bits.

[fatowl]

I second bernard cornwell as well, the Saxon series is very good, but try his warlord chronicles about Kung Arthur as well

[fatowl]

Pillars of the Earth followed by World without End by Ken Follett?

I preferred WEE

About a 1000 pages each but I did enjoy them (though in fairness they probably could have been at least a third shorter each)

[FreeButtonBee]

Dorothy dunnett - The Lymond and Nicolo Rising series are amazing. Some day when I have time I am going to read them all again.

[NothingIsOK]

Poldark is basically written in my insides. I grew up by the beaches where the first series was filmed, so we used to go and watch so my mum could go all peculiar when Robin Ellis looked our way.