I've read a handful of big books - Ulysses, War and Peace, The USA trilogy (John dos Passos) - but based on your reading interests, perhaps you might be interested in A Suitable Boy (Vikram Seth). It's very, very long but it was enjoyable and I got swept away in the narrative.
Honestly, with War and Peace, I'd say no - it's good, but not a 'must-read' in my humble opinion, and I've read many of the Russian and Ukrainian classics. Someone else mentioned Anna Karenina, stick to that one. Much less daunting. Even better than either of those is Master and Margarita, one of my favourite books, though I don't think it qualifies as 'big.' Dead Souls by Gogol is another good one if you're looking for some bleak but humorous winter reading. I tried Bleak House, which is definitely big, but I've always found Dickens a bit hit and miss for me.
I read a few novellas for spooky season and while I appreciated them it just wasn’t the same? Currently reading The Historian it’s 😍. A few other chunky bbs I loved: The Stand, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Nix, The Bee Sting. I have soooooo many on my TBR it’s sickening but especially The Savage Detectives, Kavalier and Clay, and The Luminaries. I love this topic I may need to write about this too!
I loved the Bee Sting too! really thought it was going to win the Booker Prize, although Prophet Song which did win was very good. The Nix is on my tbr as is The Luminaries.... I might even read in parts to make it feel less overwhelming maybe? I'll look out for your post :)
I’ve been toying with demon copperhead and I think this has swayed me to give it a go!
I haven’t really given it any thought before but I think I’m with you on the big book love; I often feel unsatisfied with shorter books and with there was more to them! That being send, I think some shorter novels can be good palette cleansers in between more hefty tomes!
I feel like I have to get in the right mindset. There’s a feeling I get when I’ve been in a universe for a while or a genre. It’s like I would be betraying the stuff I’ve been reading by falling in love with more characters. I find myself living with some folks for a while and then their stories come to an end, and there’s just something that feels disloyal to go and hop in bed metaphorically with some other cast of characters. It’s way less serious than that, but it does take a shift sometimes.
I love it!! I read it for three months. Surprisingly, it was so easy to read. I too was initially daunted. If you don’t like have a job or chores I think you can finish 100 pages a day.
I've read a handful of big books - Ulysses, War and Peace, The USA trilogy (John dos Passos) - but based on your reading interests, perhaps you might be interested in A Suitable Boy (Vikram Seth). It's very, very long but it was enjoyable and I got swept away in the narrative.
War and peace, this is on my tbr but is it worth it?! I’ll look into a suitable boy now. Thank you so much for the recommendation!
Honestly, with War and Peace, I'd say no - it's good, but not a 'must-read' in my humble opinion, and I've read many of the Russian and Ukrainian classics. Someone else mentioned Anna Karenina, stick to that one. Much less daunting. Even better than either of those is Master and Margarita, one of my favourite books, though I don't think it qualifies as 'big.' Dead Souls by Gogol is another good one if you're looking for some bleak but humorous winter reading. I tried Bleak House, which is definitely big, but I've always found Dickens a bit hit and miss for me.
I read a few novellas for spooky season and while I appreciated them it just wasn’t the same? Currently reading The Historian it’s 😍. A few other chunky bbs I loved: The Stand, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Nix, The Bee Sting. I have soooooo many on my TBR it’s sickening but especially The Savage Detectives, Kavalier and Clay, and The Luminaries. I love this topic I may need to write about this too!
I loved the Bee Sting too! really thought it was going to win the Booker Prize, although Prophet Song which did win was very good. The Nix is on my tbr as is The Luminaries.... I might even read in parts to make it feel less overwhelming maybe? I'll look out for your post :)
I’ve been toying with demon copperhead and I think this has swayed me to give it a go!
I haven’t really given it any thought before but I think I’m with you on the big book love; I often feel unsatisfied with shorter books and with there was more to them! That being send, I think some shorter novels can be good palette cleansers in between more hefty tomes!
I feel like I have to get in the right mindset. There’s a feeling I get when I’ve been in a universe for a while or a genre. It’s like I would be betraying the stuff I’ve been reading by falling in love with more characters. I find myself living with some folks for a while and then their stories come to an end, and there’s just something that feels disloyal to go and hop in bed metaphorically with some other cast of characters. It’s way less serious than that, but it does take a shift sometimes.
Yes I know what you mean, I always have to opt for a palette cleanser book to reset! Otherwise my head just isn’t in the right space.
Big books I recently read are Anna Karenina and Kavalier & Clay! Want to read The Secret History soon.
Wow Anna Karenina! How did you find it? It’s on my list but it’s a little daunting. Not going to lie!
I love it!! I read it for three months. Surprisingly, it was so easy to read. I too was initially daunted. If you don’t like have a job or chores I think you can finish 100 pages a day.
Haha jobs and chores can wait!
The only big books I usually read are fantasy! I like your recs.
Which are your favourite? I’ve not been able to get into any fantasy novels but (mainly fourth wing and ACOTR)