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!)

I read A Fine Balance a few years ago. This thread has prompted me to reread it soon. I also very much enjoyed Mistry's Family Matters. Has anyone else read that?

Just popping myself on here as a fine balance is one of my favourites and I'm always keen to find something as sublime...agree a suitable boy was a fantastic read, might read it again now that I've been reminded. Am trying really hard to get back into more reading as it used to be my life - literally as I worked at a book festival - but pressures of life and kids and exhaustion mean a scroll seems easier some evenings. Thanks for an inspiring thread x

All the suggestion I came here to make are already here apart from I'd add The Map of Love by Ahdaf Soueif. Also maybe Isabel Allende and William Boyd?

Gosh I will never get over A Fine Balance. Really affected me.

I also loved Time Traveller's Wife, to answer a PP!

I would recommend the God of Small Things.

If you would consider French authors
Madame Bovary
Germinal
Scarlet and Black

What about some Gabriel Garcia Marquez?

I read Fine Balance 25 years ago and while I have forgotten the finer details of the story, I will never forget how hollowed out it made me feel. Only other book that has done that to me is Sophie's Choice. Couple of more recent options - Wild, Dark Shore and In Memoriam.

Still Life, Sarah Winman. I’m still thinking about it a year later

Oh that book was a tough read. Such a Long Journey a fine read too. Also recommend A Suitable Boy! Loved it. I also read a bio of Indira Gandhi as I felt I needed more information about the era.
recently I read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell which I loved although it is also (sort of) historical and fantastical. Ann Patchett is wonderful.

Also the Safe Keep?

Anuradha Roy books are excellent. She has several.

Definitely read The God of Small Things, beautifully written.

Yesss! The Glass Palace is another wonderful book