07-19-2020, 11:19 PM | #1 |
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Big Historical Sagas Wanted
Hi,
I'm wanting to read some big historical sagas. I have read Ken Follett, Michener, Rutherfurd, Simons, Outlander, Poldark, McCullough, Penman, Gone With The Wind, Donati. Hidden gems welcome! |
07-20-2020, 02:47 AM | #2 |
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Not exactly a hidden gem, but A Suitable Boy, is a BIG historical epic that is well worth the read, imo.
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07-20-2020, 04:12 AM | #3 |
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You probably know this site http://www.historicalnovels.info/ . Here are lots of historical novels organised after period and geographical location.
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07-20-2020, 04:45 AM | #4 |
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The Asian series by James Clavell starting with Shogun is on my TBR list.
Historical series I've read and enjoyed: The Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwell. The Last Kingdom novels by Bernard Cornwell The Cadfael mysteries by Ellis Peters The Hornblower novels by C S Forester The King's Hounds series by Martin Jensen All Georgette Heyer's Regency Romances The Gil Cunningham series by Pat McIntosh The Falco series by Lindsey Davis The Fifth Knight trilogy by E.M.Powell The Shardlake novels by C J Sansom |
07-20-2020, 06:31 AM | #5 | |
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in the epic category, read The Physician by Noah Gordon, and the sequel Shamam. You've read Follet, but I'll just mention he has a prequel to the kingsbridge series coming out this fall. The trilogy by Sebag Montefiore passes for epic Shashenka, Red Sky at Noon and One night in Winter. Takes place in revolutionary Russia through WWII. I've enjoyed Jean Auel's Books in the prehistoric era, I still have 3 to go. In the biblical era, I like Quo Vadis, The Robe, Geraldine Brooks' The Golden Chord, and Decker's AD 30 and AD 33, although not really epic. I haven't tackled them yet, but Bernard Cromwell's books on Medieval England are on my list. When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman was good, there are others I haven't delved into yet. In the non-epic category, The Plum Tree by Ellen Marie Wiesman (any of her books really, this one was the best), All the Light We cannot See by Doerr, The Nightingale by Hannah, Beneath the Scarlet Sky by Sullivan, The Tattoois of Auschwitz by Morris and the sequel Cilka's Journey, Armageddon and Mila 18 by Uris, Year of Wonders by Brooks. A lot of my historical fiction centers around WWII and Medieval periods. The provided website is great, I just sifted through it, wonderful selection of books to choose from. |
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07-20-2020, 09:41 AM | #6 |
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A House Divided by Ben Ames Williams.
I've still not read this book, but it was a favorite of my dad, and all 4 of my mom's brothers read and loved it. I bought a paperback version of it years ago, and at 1,500 pages, it was huge and unwieldy. It came out on Kindle in 2010 or so. (I'm 61, so these men are all gone now and my mom never read it, so there is no one to talk to about it) https://www.amazon.com/House-Divided...al-text&sr=1-4 It was first published in the late 1940's, and I know from some reviews that it is from a southern perspective and contains words & views not accepted now. I bought it on Kindle, and have been waiting to start reading it. It's length and scope have been too much for me to tackle right now. But I will read it. Last edited by Deskisamess; 07-21-2020 at 09:05 AM. |
07-20-2020, 02:38 PM | #7 | ||
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Quote:
Quote:
Some suggestions:
Since you mentioned Outlander you might be OK with some supernatural elements in your history?
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07-20-2020, 03:01 PM | #8 |
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Kent Family Chronicles by John Jakes. Follows bastard son of a peer to the colonies. I read 1st 4 books, but there are a total of 8 books.
Morland Dynasty - Cynthia Harrod-Eagles. Follows the Morland Dynasty from middle ages to the 1930s. 35 books in this completed series. The Australians - William Stuart Long. Follows family from first member arrested and transported to Australia and through early Australia. Contact me on this one if it interests you. 12 books. FWIW, I do think author intended at least 1-2 more books, but passed away. Still, each book 'completes' the current plot within the book. Last edited by Tarana; 07-20-2020 at 03:05 PM. |
07-20-2020, 03:28 PM | #9 |
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These books are by Edward Rutherfurd and are pretty large. I know you've read Ruthrfurd, but I'm posting this here for anyone else interest such large tomes.
Series Dublin Saga 1. The Princes of Ireland (2004) <- 800 pages 2. The Rebels of Ireland (2006) <- 944 pages Novels Sarum (1987) <- 1344 Pages Russka (1991) <- 1024 pages London (1997) < - 1328 pages The Forest (2000) <- 912 pages New York (2009) <- 1040 pages Paris (2013) <- 848 pages China (2020) <- due out May 13, 2021 Last edited by JSWolf; 07-20-2020 at 03:32 PM. |
07-20-2020, 03:40 PM | #10 |
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I can highly recommend the books of Bernard Cornwell. He does mostly series that work out to be quite large.
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/c/bernard-cornwell Last edited by JSWolf; 07-24-2020 at 03:43 PM. |
07-20-2020, 08:42 PM | #11 |
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Thanks for all the suggestions!
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07-20-2020, 08:45 PM | #12 | |
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07-23-2020, 09:52 PM | #13 |
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How about Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle
Quicksilver The Confusion The System of the World |
07-24-2020, 12:28 PM | #14 | |
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The Forsyte Saga written by John Galsworthy (d. 1933) would be in the public domain in Australia. It was written about 100 years ago, so it definitely has a historical feel to it. The style is very good, but of its time. |
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07-26-2020, 03:22 AM | #15 | |
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