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?

I find Matt H unreadable.

Yes to some Nesbit. Or something like The Secret Garden or Daddy Long Legs.

I frequently reread children’s books as an escape but I’m really looking for an adult novel that just makes me feel at least a little uplifted. Doesn’t have to be Polyanna - just a bit of hope peeking through the gloom would be OK!

A gentleman in Moscow, just finished it. Beautifully written and restores your faith in humans and the power of relationships of all kinds.

If what you're looking for is a bit of hope peeking through the gloom I would recommend "I am Lucy Barton" and "Anything is Possible" by Elizabeth Strout. You have described them perfectly!

Also for real life gloom and hope I can recommend "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls. Ultimately an uplifting read, and fascinating even in the gloomy bits.

Have read both those Elizabeth Strout novels - but my favourite is Amy and Isabelle - have you read that one? Wonderful!

How about The Railway Children by E Nesbit? I loved that story, and the film makes me sob (with joy) at the end.

I haven't read Amy and Isabelle, will definitely do so.

Have you tried anything by Kay Bratt? I think the first book is called The Scavenger's Daughter, it's about a Chinese family who have lived through the Cultural Revolution. It's heartbreaking at times but also ultimately uplifting as the hero discovers what really matters.

Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey!
Anything by Georgette Heyer (obviously)
Barbara Pym?
The Dorothy Dunnett books about Lymond?.
Alison Weir's Eleanor of Aquitaine?
Easy reading but very good and interesting.
Hope you find something good

The 44 Scotland Street series by Alexander McCall Smith is funny, well written, at times touching, ridiculous and full of hope. I didn’t really enjoy the Ladies Detective Agency I loved this. Some of the characters are so vivid too.

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.
Alan Bennett The Lady In The Van.
Bill Bryson Notes From A Small Island.

All very cheering... but for the love of god don't read A Little Life.