To ask for recommendations for a really long amazing book?

[theotherfossilsister]

Something I can immerse myself in. I like historical fiction (Wolf Hall and BUTB, The Crimson Petal and the White, All the Light We Cannot See) but open to anything big and brilliant and immersive.

Oh I also love The Cazalet Chronicles which were recommended on here, and really enjoyed I Claudius despite thinking it would be dry (it wasn't dry.)

Any recommendations please?

Just skimmed the thread and I would echo PP re The Winds of War. I read it at the start of the year and it's unputdownable.

If you don't mind gritty, violent and disturbing James Ellroy 'American Tabloid' is fantastic. I haven't read the other two of the trilogy yet.

For the classics you cannot beat Vanity Fair, War and Peace and the Brothers Karamatzov (sp?).

For non-fiction I read Homicide: A Year On The Killing Streets by David Simon last year - I wasn't sure I would get on with this but it is fantastic, and you can see how the author went on to create the TV show 'The Wire'.

Have read and really enjoyed lots of these. Someone mentioned "The Signature of All Things" by Elizabeth Gilbert and just wanted to second how brilliant this book is - completely immersive and nothing like her best-seller Eat Pray Love.
Also recommend "The Sealswoman's Gift" - about 17th century Icelanders kidnapped and sold as slaves in North Africa - based on true story.

This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson - absolutely brilliant.

I just came on to say the Signature of all things by Elizabeth Gilbert. Long read and sublime too.

Yy to Johnathon strange and Mr norrell and the poisonwood Bible. In fact, any of kingsolvers books.

Came on to say Olicia Manning's Fortunes of War but Fiddlefigs has beaten me to it - breadth, depth and amazing cast of characters.

For something a little less literary but very enjoyable, The Far Pavilions by Molly Kaye.

Trollope's Barchester Chronicles.

This thing of darkness is great.

David Copperfield was probably the longest and best book I've read in a while.

Seven Sisters series - not one by put seven books

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon is really good. I enjoyed The Blind Assassin too, but really didn't get on with The Poisonwood Bible.

Also recommend "The Sealswoman's Gift" - about 17th century Icelanders kidnapped and sold as slaves in North Africa - based on true story.

yes, we had this in our book group and it was great, not especially long though

Anything by Salman Rushdie. Gorgeous writing.

The Far Pavilions by M M Kate

Sorry if someone's already suggested it.

I really loved Jane Smiley's novel A Thousand Acres. She won the Pulitzer Prize for it and it's loosely based on King Lear. It's here on Amazon but I don't think it's available on Kindle. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thousand-Acres-Jane-Smiley/dp/0006544827/ref=mpssa111?crid=1640A9BE14YZ6&keywords=jane+smiley&qid=1651524738&sprefix=jane+smiley%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-1

Wondering if I'm the only person that's read Wolf Among Wolves. It's set between the first and second world wars in Germany and was written by Hans Fallada. It's a love story at It's core but really delves into the issues ordinary people faced during this period. It's completely real. The author, Hans Fallada lived through this period and got into trouble with the Nazi's post publication because of it. I've read it twice now and it definitely needs time and patience but it's so worth it.

This book is amazing

Thanks to whoever recommended Russia by Edward Rutherford. I’m loving it so far. Exactly what a needed. There have been some great suggestions on this thread.

This is a great thread. I second A Fine Balance, Middlemarch and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.

Would also recommend:

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver (I liked this a lot better than the Poisonwood Bible and it's longer too!)

The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Last Hundred Years trilogy by Jane Smiley - begins with Some Luck

Mary Renault's trilogy about Alexander the Great - begins with Fire from Heaven.

Regeneration Trilogy
Life Class Trilogy
both by Pat Barker

Gone with the Wind is a brilliant read and I second Lucinda Riley's Seven Sisters books someone already suggested. They're all big books.

Also, the Outlander books. There's nine of them now and they're all huge.

Agree! I read them several times over years ago and now have them in my reading pile to do so again. 🌹

Manda Scott's Boudicca series is great. The Roman invasion of Britain told from the perspective of Boudicca and her warriors.

Have you read Life After Life and A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson? I would thoroughly recommend those.

Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides is brilliant.

And just in case your resolve weakens, just say no to A Little Life. Horrible book.

If you liked Thé Cazalets try In A Land of Plenty by Tim Pears.

Also The Northern Clemency by Philip Hensher

I've recently read The Book of Sand by Theo Clarw, which was quite compelling..

Sorry, Theo Clare!