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Old 08-30-2011, 10:59 AM   #1
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Need a reco for a well-written, dense, rags-to-riches story
I just need to read something uplifting. The past few novels I've read have been well-written but pretty depressing (most recently Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue). I'm looking for a book that is nice and long (I love long books), and where the character works hard and is rewarded for it. It doesn't have to be literally rags-to-riches, but something with a main character that is likeeable, has many admirable qualities, works hard, makes good choices, and ultimately does well for him / herself.

Examples of what I'm looking for are: Shogun, Clan of the Cave Bear, Pillars of the Earth...

Does anyone have anything to suggest?

Thanks!
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Old 08-30-2011, 11:39 AM   #2
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Questions like this belong in the "Reading Recommendations" forum. You've been here long enough to know that!
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Old 08-30-2011, 12:52 PM   #3
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Oops, sorry. Brain fart!
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Old 08-30-2011, 02:49 PM   #4
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Hi, Master of the Game by Sidney Sheldon is a rags to riches story. The novel is a bit old, but the setting starts in early 1900s. And it's long.

~KC
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Old 08-30-2011, 03:47 PM   #5
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Thanks KC -- that is the perfect recommendation. I read it years ago and really loved it
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Old 08-30-2011, 06:37 PM   #6
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My Name Is Mary Sutter

Grim Civil War setting, but a satisfying story of a woman determined to become a doctor. 384 pages.
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Old 08-30-2011, 07:46 PM   #7
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'Malcolm' by George MacDonald, and its sequel, 'The Marquis of Lossie.'

If you don't mind Victorian lit.
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Old 08-31-2011, 04:46 AM   #8
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How about Barbara Taylor Bradford's "A Woman Of Substance"?

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Old 08-31-2011, 07:21 AM   #9
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_Les Miserables_ starts w/ a prisoner and ends w/ a very well-to-do business-man (more-or-less).
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Old 08-31-2011, 06:04 PM   #10
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Thanks everyone! I will check these out. I'm pretty sure I already read the Bradford, but will check again.

In case anyone else is looking, another great story in this genre is The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.
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Old 08-31-2011, 07:37 PM   #11
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Old 09-01-2011, 06:23 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WillAdams View Post
_Les Miserables_ starts w/ a prisoner and ends w/ a very well-to-do business-man (more-or-less).
Except Les Mis is rather more depressing and than uplifting.

And don't get me started on The Hunchback of Notre Dame!
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Old 09-01-2011, 11:24 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nancy Fulda View Post
Except Les Mis is rather more depressing and than uplifting.

And don't get me started on The Hunchback of Notre Dame!
"I don't know who he is, but his face rings a bell"

Muahahaha! Now you will all have that dumb joke running through your heads.
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Old 09-01-2011, 11:32 AM   #14
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"I don't know who he is, but his face rings a bell"

Muahahaha! Now you will all have that dumb joke running through your heads.
*groooooaaaaan*
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