What to read after A Fine Balance

[Inthevillages]

Finished it a week ago (I know I was a bit late to the party!). It’s taken me this long to get over it and be ready for something else but I’m not sure anything will come close.

I like well written but accessible fiction. Love all of Donna Tartts and Barbara Kingsolver’s books but also Kate Atkinson, the Strike novels, Liane Moriarty, John Boyne.

Tend to be put off by anything that mentions the Tudors or calls itself historical fiction (although I’m not sure why and I’m aware that A Fine Balance would fall into the historical fiction category!)

Try Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche. Read it recently and it blew me away. I loved A Fine Balance too

A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth.

Americanah looks like it would fit the bill!
The length of A Suitable Boy has always put me off a bit tbh but it’s on the list
Thanks

Anything by Amitav Ghosh if you want shorter!

I adored A Fine Balance but I still don’t know that I am over how sad it was - and I read it about 20 years ago!

I suggest something well written but gentle and soothing to ease you back in to reading! How about Tom Lake by Ann Patchett?

But more generally, and I’m sure others will recommend them, if you haven’t read Madeleine Miller’s novels then they are extraordinary. So beautifully written.

Also, A Suitable Boy is excellent. Despite how long it is, I have read it twice!

Actually you’re right-I’m not over it-my heart still breaks when I think of ‘that’ encounter.

never tried Ann Pachett but has been recommended in the past so will try one if hers

My people!! I tried Tom Lake but didn’t get on with it but loved all the other recommendations above. For light I love Curtis Sittenfield.

Just going to hang out here for the suggestions as A Fine Balance is in my all time top 5 books (along with, perhaps incongruously, The Time Traveller’s Wife, Burning Bright by Helen Dunmore and probably a Margaret Atwood or two …) - i have read it several times, though not for about a decade, and I’m still not over it either!
i listened to Americanah on Audible when I was spending hours walking with a pram every day, and loved it too, so i am going to take notes on the other recommendations being made!

Ooh that’s weird-the Time Travellers Wife remains the book that made me cry the most.
I will definitely try Burning Bright for the hat trick!

I thought they were an odd pairing of favourites but perhaps not! I actually read TTW every 2 years and just the writing makes me want to cry, let alone the story (especially the ending… don’t get me started!!).
My first copy of Burning Bright was given away free with Cosmopolitan magazine when i was about 18, and it was possibly the first book i read as an adult (when I was just falling in love for the first time too), and it is all about a girl of a similar age going through an awakening (though there were no similarities between her situation and mine I must add!) and it really struck a chord with me for that reason. I loved reading novels, and Helen Dunmore, from that point onwards ❤️

Another vote for A Suitable Boy. It’s my favourite book of all time. I understand the length can put people off but the sheer length of it means that you go on the most wonderful journey with the characters.. for a long time! I was so sad when it ended. I really missed the people in it. (TV adaptation was crap though. It didn’t capture the essence and beauty of the book at all in my opinion)

Pillars of the Earth or Memoirs of a Geisha

I’m back to say I’ve just been unpacking my books today having recently moved, and remembered the other writer in my top 5 is Wally Lamb… have you read anything by him? Totally different again from Rohinton Mistry but She’s Come Undone is a remarkable book, as is I know this Much is True (Weight of Water less so, IMHO). it’s such a long time since I read any of these books, I think I’m going to start re-reading them all!

I loved A Fine Balance too. Have you read Demon Copperhead? Or All The Colours Of The Dark? I’d recommend A Covenant of Water too. All utterly beautiful and brilliant stories…

Loved Demon Copperhead and All the Colours of the Dark
read Memoir of a Geisha years ago and liked that
a Covenant of Water is on the list and will look at Wally Lamb

Started Americanah and enjoying it so far

@herethereandeverywhatnow I love Wally Lamb too, pre ordered the new one and can't wait!

If you haven't read it, please do give it a read. It's wonderful, one of those books to lose yourself in.

Lurking

Wild Swans?

Just started A Covenant of Water last night on this recommendation. Thankyou!

I had to come back to let you know I’ve just finished The Correspondent and it’s first one that’s hit the spot since AFB.
Thoroughly recommend.

Thanks for the recommendation of The Correspondent ! Also placemarking to remember other books.

I also loved A Fine Balance; and have read a few other books recommended on this thread..

Seconding both Wild Swans and A Covenant of Water!

adding also:
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
enjoy!

Elif Shafak might fit the bill for you. The Architects Apprentice or There Are Rivers In The Sky.