If I like The house of the spirits...

[Redyellowpink]

I've nearly finished reading this book. It's not what I usually read but picked it up in a charity shop by chance and am loving it! Any other fans?

I usually read more modern literature with just one protagonist but if I liked THotS what else would you recommend that's similar?

Gabriel garcia marquez. And most other allendes.

The Signature of All Things.

The poison wood bible

Bel canto or any Ann Patchett.

Love in the time of Cólera by Gabriel Garcia Márquez.

Daughter of fortune also by Allende.

I'd try something like The Heart's Invisible Furies, by John Boyne, or perhaps Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch.

Thanks for all the recommendations. I've read love in the time of cholera, 100 years of solitude, the goldfinch and the poison wood bible. I will check out the others. The signature of all things looks good. Any family sagas anyone would recommend? I've heard the thorn birds is good?

‘Like water for chocolate’ - also magic realism. Second Bel Canto, that’s a great book. I loved House of Spirits but read it years and years ago and was about to buy it recently for my 15 year old and then had a quick google reminder of what was in it and reconsidered! I remember I read all other Allende books in quick succession then went on to Amy Tan.

Hmm yes, there's alot of rape in it!

The Thorn Birds is a page-turner and was hugely popular years ago but it's not along the same lines as IA's writing at all.

I'm a big Ann Patchett fan so YY to her, also Barbara Kingsolver .. have a look at Flight Behaviour; that was one that really stayed with me and has a very current theme.

Following with interest as I'm going to hear IA talk at Manchester Literary Festival in February.

Thanks highlandcoo

I'm very jealous that you're going to see her in Manchester. I really wanted to travel up to see Eimear McBride who's on the week before but I live quite far away

Oh, I don't know Eimear McBride! I should maybe have a look. I love author events.

Update, I started reading The Thron Birds and couldn't get further than 100 pages: highlandcoo I agree, the writing wasn't great, and what's with the creepy priest?!

Off the back of this thread ordered some Amy Tan, Barbara Kingsolver and Elizabeth Gilbert. Thanks everyone!