Who can recommend an epic novel in the vein of War and Peace?

Question

So I can analysis the literary talent behind it? As an aspiring writer I need to absorb the true greats, and Tolstoy was first!

Smoething historical is preferred, and on an epic scale- but exact subject matter is unimportant, just the authors style.

Thanks!

PS Check out my fledgling 360 page to learn a tiny bit more about me if you like, and feel free to email or leave a comment! I want to hear constructive criticism of my style and meet friends.

Answer 1

There are many great epic novels, on many subjects. In the grand national tradition involving great conflicts, try

Stendahl, The Charterhouse of Parma
Dickens, Tale of Two Cities
more recently, Flanagan, The Year of the French

the recommendations above for Dr. Zhivago and Gone With The WInd are good ones too. (looking through recommendations below, I'd also second Les Miserables and Gravity's Rainbow (I liked Gravity's Rainbow a lot, but should warn you I know many people who found it unreadable.))


If you want to branch beyond epics that involve battles, you can try Anna Karenina for a start, since you appreciate Tolstoy, or try any of Dickens' great novels (most of which, frankly speaking, are better than Tale of Two Cities) or Middlemarch.

If you wish to define more precisely what you mean by "epic" then I would happily give a more precise and longer list.

Answer 2

The Lord of the Rings trilogy? I devour books, any sort, any time, any place. I also love the Lord of the Rings films and have read the Hobbit several times since being a child. But I've still not finished this book... So it must be pretty epic in one way or another!

I also think Tolkiens style is interesting. The fact that he invented a whole set of new races, because as a linguist first, author second, he wanted a new language. He then needed a race to have this language, and that race needed a history, which needed other races, which needed countries, etc. Fascinating.

Answer 3

If you liked War and Peace, try reading any of Fyodor Dostoevsky's books; these include Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov, The Idiot, and Demons, just to name a few. They aren't epic in the historical sense, but they are very good. I will also suggest The Odyssey; although there are a lot of fantastical elements, there may be a few kernals of historical truths hidden doen in there. I also recommend Faust, Ben-Hur, and The World of Yesterday; The World of Yesterday is actually a documentation of the author's views of life from before World War I through about 1942; since it's real history with a personal touch, you may like it. I know I do.

Answer 4

I would recommend Miklos Banffy's trilogy, the Writing on the Wall, which starts with They Were Counted. It's a Hungarian novel, set in the years leading up to the first World War, and it's not only a fascinating look at Hungarian history and politics,but it's also very moving. The style is very reminiscent of Tolstoy - I loved it, and I think you would too. I've pasted in a link to the Amazon reviews below, which might help you decide.

Answer 5

Having read your 360, and some of the answers here I'd like to suggest something more in the popular lines. something like the potter books or Tom Clancy's series patriot games.

I think these would be good for you, not so mush the styles more how they develop plot lines and characters over years even decades. If you look at Clancy's work the first in the series was written in 1984 and the last was in 2000ish so not only do the characters grow and develop so does the author, but if you'd like a different style try Bram Stoker's Drac

Answer 6

Here are the long ones:

Don Quixote
Atlas Shrugged
Les Miserables
The Count of Monte Cristo

and if you liked War and Peace, read Tolstoy's Anna Karenina

Also, there's

1984
The Grapes of Wrath--this ones about the Great Depression
The Stand
Lord of the Flies
Catch-22
Ulysses

Answer 7

The Lord of the jewellery trilogy? I consume books, any type, any time, everywhere. I additionally love the Lord of the jewellery action pictures and function study the Hobbit quite a few cases provided that being a infant. yet i've got nonetheless no longer finished this e book... So it would desire to be quite epic in one way or yet another! I additionally think of Tolkiens type is exciting. the actuality that he invented an entire set of latest races, via fact as a linguist first, author 2nd, he needed a sparkling language. He then mandatory a race to have this language, and that race mandatory a background, which mandatory different races, which mandatory countries, etc. desirable.

Answer 8

What about Victor Hugo's Les Miserables -- a novel before it was a musical! The Penguin translation is good, and if it proves too much, you can practice putting the shot with it. For more accessible epics, I always return to Bleak House and Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens.

Answer 9

Since you ask for a historic epical novel - try the Odyssey or more interestingly branch out in to the great Indian Epics - Mahabharat and Ramayana - you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Answer 10

Two books spring to mind, the first is The Stand by Stephen King, which is his best novel IMHO. The second is Swan Song by Robert McGammon, which is a book that everyone i have loaned it to says is the best book they have ever read (i think that too). Both are hugely colourful books, struggles between good and evil with massive casts. You should enjoy them!