Is there a (fiction) novel that is universally acclaimed and loved?

[JMSA]

Looking for book recommendations for a book group I've just joined. I'm a little nervous about putting forward my first title, as I really don't know these people very well. I'm thinking it makes sense to 'play it safe' with my first choice of book. It has to be fiction and not onerously long. Max 400 pages.
We've just finished Hidden Windows by Jason Rekulak.
Group is mostly made up of secondary school English teachers, so something a wee bit different would be good, as the Classics will have been covered!

Thank you very much

I also think The Poisonwood Bible is one of Barbara Kingsolver’s weaker novels — I love her earlier stuff, and Prodigal Summer!

The Poisonwood Bible is a favourite of mine, but I wouldn't suggest it for book club because it's massive

Music and silence by Rose Tremain is excellent. I think some of these such as ‘The Kite Runner’ will already have been read by your group.

Oh yes to Flowers for Algernon too. I also really liked The Bees by Laline Paull, not sure if it's universally liked but it was unusual and really stuck with me

Brideshead Revisited - is also a brilliant audiobook read by Jeremy Irons

Second the suggestion of Passing by Nella Larson, that went down brilliantly at our book group.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.

Lolly Willowes by Silvia Townsend Warner was another huge hit in our book club

The Wall by Marlen Haushofer is a very unusual book and unlikely to have been read by most people

Not Piranesi - I thought it was a load of pretentious guff! Some will love it, some will hate it.

The Mad Women's Ball by Victoria Mas

Foster by Claire Keegan

Miss Benson’s beetle by Rachel Joyce. I’m not sure how well known it is but the people I know who have read it liked it, and one of them doesn’t even like reading usually.

Trespasses by louise Kennedy. Beautiful, 380p, the main character is a teacher, heartbreaking, set in the Troubles in NI, lots to talk about, morally ambivalent. Ignore all other recommendations

Blackwater Lightship by Colm Toibin

Oh sorry also

Midwinter Break by Bernard MacLaverty

The ACOTAR series by Sarah J Maas is getting rave reviews right now. I love anything in the 3 series she has written. They are fiction, and it is very clever how she has woven all three series together into her "world". Highly recommend, but expect to be reading for months on end as there are so many to get through :).

I wasn't overly impressed by the ACOTAR series. Books one and two were OK but I felt it nosedived after that

The Loney - Andrew Hurley

Trespasses is an excellent suggestion - perfect for a book club of teacher !

I've just read hidden pictures, found the ending a bit boring. I've started saving Noah by Lucinda berry. Sounds like it could be a good discussion afterwards

valley of the dolls by Jacqueline Susann

An oldie but oh so goodie

a couple had read it at our club but no one minded reading it again and the discussions after were great!

Lessons in Chemistry (not about a teacher!) was a big hit.
Still Life by Sarah Winman Is just over your 400 pages but easy reading.

Such a fun age by Kiley Reid. Easy read and loads to talk about

We read both of these for my book club and there were mixed opinions.

I think that tends to make for a more interesting discussion than when everyone loves a book.

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
Falling by Elizabeth Jane Howard
Hideous Kinky by Esther Freud

I read The Thirteenth Tale by her and loved it! Fantastic to learn she's written another novel. Thank you!!

I think [mixed opinions] tend to make for a more interesting discussion than when everyone loves a book.
Totally agree. Part of the reason for joining a book club is to read things that you might not normally pick.

I love these threads. I take copious notes!