Epic novel.Please help me find one to read

[disneyfanforever]

My sister and I were talking about how we used to love the TV miniseries (even though we were really too young to be watching some of them) like North and South and Winds of War. That led us to thinking about about epic novels especially ones we would love to see onscreen. The problem was we really couldn't think of that many.

I have read the North and South books which I liked, Winds of War (which went on way too long in my opinion) and would love to read more epic type novels.

I would love to hear what novels you would recommend. I would love a big sweeping romance like Gone with the Wind. I like there to be history in the book but not too much detail as I start to drift off in those chapters.

Anybody have any ideas for a great epic I can read? Thanks!!!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

War and Peace - it is awesome.

Battlefield Earth if you like sci-fi.

The Stand - if you like Stephen King

Russka - if you like historical fiction

The Clan of the Cave Bear series is a huge hit with women

 

[chrismiss56]

The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon!!! LOVE IT!!!!

 

[NMAmy]

Ditto on the Outlander books. I also really love Centennial by James Michener. I read it when I was in my teens but I reread it about every 5 years or so.

 

[Sugardimples]

I was going to suggest Centennial! It's one of my favorite books!

 

[mjkacmom]

I just finished up Roots - OMG, it was great, and I had goosebumps at the end!

 

[Pig Pen]

Pillars of the Earth and its sequel, World Without End.

Lucifers Hammer (comet hits the earth - somewhat outdated but a good read)

Swan Song (kind of like The Stand but a little more sci-fi).

 

[marymouse]

The Thorn Birds

 

[disneyfanforever]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I knew these boards would be a great resource.

I have read the Thorn Birds and Outlander, but I don't think I have read any of the rest mentioned. Thanks so much for the suggestions. I am going to head to Amazon to check them out.

I would love even more suggestions. Thanks!

 

[Glynis]

The Mists of Avalon is one that I loved.

 

[denisem]

If you enjoyed North & South, have you tried John Jakes' other novels? The Kent Family Chronicles (8 books) were released during the bicentennial. I reread them every 10 years or so, LOL.

Another oldie but goodie is Barbara Taylor Bradford's "A Woman of Substance", continuing with two sequels.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Lonesome Dove

 

[ugadog99]

Les Miserables

 

[minkydog]

Pillars of the Earth and its sequel, World Without End.

You beat me to it. Ken Follett. He has the first of a new series out,too; can't remember the name of the book. Its takes place in America during the Industrial Revolution.

 

[clarabelle]

Another one from the "miniseries era"
Shogun by J. Clavell

 

[RUDisney]

Anna Karenina by Tolstoy is one of my favorites.

Roots by Alex Haley.

 

[luvmy3]

There's always the Twilight Saga





I am reading Outlander now, and I cannot wait until I finish so I can start the next one.
Before that, I had read all of Philipa Gregory's novels about the 16th Century Tudors, and also The White Queen and The Red Queen. I loved them all.

 

[tammymacb]

"The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant is one of my favorite novels of all time. It's written about Dinah, the daughter of Jacob ( as in Sons of Jacob in the Bible )

I am not a religious person, and I had to really pay attention in the beginning to keep names straight but it is an amazing book and everyone I've suggested it to has loved it also.

 

[redlight]

I Know This Much Is True and The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb.

 

[paintnolish]

You beat me to it. Ken Follett. He has the first of a new series out,too; can't remember the name of the book. Its takes place in America during the Industrial Revolution.

Great minds think alike! I read Pillars and World- awesome!