Need a book to lift me from the slough of despond

[LaBelleSauvage123]

caused by reading The Good People by Hannah Kent. Well written but so very bleak. I need a recommendation for something positive, something with a bit of redemption at the end, or at least some hope. Any ideas?

Restoration by Rose Tremain?
I'm listening to it atm and enjoying very much. I believe there is definitely a redemptive (restorative) ending. Mod amounts of jolly historical bonking and the protagonist (atm) is a selfish craven rogue but nevertheless it’s making me grin a lot.

From the corner of his eye/Stephen king.

Beautifully written, poignant, gripping and my favourite book ever. Read it about 10 times

I think that might be Dean Koontz, Worldsworstcook.

My absolute favourite 'get out of the slough of despond' books are:

The Little Women series
Ballet Shoes
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
84 Charing Cross Road
Any of Ausren's novels except Mansfield Park!
Bill Bryson, but not his most recent one

Austen

I’ve read Restoration and loved it. Quite fancy Miss Pettigrew...

Miss Pettigrew is very uplifting!

You've probably already read them but the James Herriot books have made me laugh while waiting for pain-killers to take effect for a toothache.

I'm reading Love Nina
It's wonderful

I found 'A man called Ove' very uplifting.

The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery (should be free on kindle)
Anne of Green Gables
Major Pettigrews Last Stand
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
Gilead (Marianne Robinson)
First couple of James Herriots

My go to book to cheer me up is My family and other animals by Gerald Durrell works every time.

I came on to say "A man called Ove" as well. A lovely read.

Yes, yes, yes to James Herriot.

Yes have read the James Herriots. Don’t have to be humorous books, just have some kind of positivity. Have any of you read The Good People? Honestly made me so depressed!

I've read it, and found it too relentlessly depressing. I really liked Burial Rites but also bloody bleak!

I much preferred Burial Rites as at least some of the relationships were positive even if the ending was bleak. I have a disabled son so Good People was particularly upsetting!

You need How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. It's a book that i never wanted to end.

Totally agree with Miss Pettigrew and My Family and Other Animals.

Also Cold Comfort Farm and anything by PG Wodehouse, but especially the Jeeves ones.

Or Three Men in a Boat, or the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

Ah now I’ve looked at How to Stop Time and thought it seemed possible. Going here tomorrow so plenty of time to brosee.

mrbsemporium.com/

Brosee? Browse!

Definitely Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day. I had tears of joy in my eyes after reading it. Such a happy ending.

Ditto The Wouldbegoods by E Nesbit. Full of fun and kindness despite difficult times for a group of children, and another deserved happy ending.

I had forgotten The Woodbegoods!!

On another thread here recently someone recommended Replay by Ken Grimwood - it is slightly sci-fi but I loved it and found it uplifting.

I Capture The Castle is also a lovely book.

And if you want a long, not high-lit but well-written saga type book, I love Csardas by Diane Pearson - lovely ending.

I am reading The Good People at the moment! About two-thirds through. I am 'enjoying' it because it is a fascinating subject and beautiful written, but yes, it is definitely bleak and upsetting. The sheer hopelessness of the life in those times.

Ove isn't a bad suggestion, probably Matt Haig too, although I've only read The Humans, not the Stop Time one, but he is good at silliness and redemption.

Or reread Phillip Pullman, as per your username, maybe!

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
I found In This House of Brede v. redemptive and lovely
Silas Marner ditto!

Just reread the whole His Dark Materials trilogy!
Silas Marner is a great suggestion - have read it, but not since school.