The Best Family Saga Books: Part One
I’ve been reading a lot more novels this year, and in particular, multigenerational family stories. The kind of books with engaging narratives, authentic and memorable characters, shifting timelines, and diverse perspectives.
For the most part, they tend to be longer than the average read, coming in between 400-600 pages. And although it can feel a bit ambitious to start one, they’ve definitely been worth the journey. This is a newer genre for me and one I've come to love. Here are a few of my favourites so far.
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
Here we follow a family of five in the lead-up to the holidays. Enid, a mother and wife of almost fifty years, would like nothing more than to have her entire family together for one last Christmas. Her husband’s health is deteriorating rapidly and her children are each facing catastrophes of their own.
Her son Chip has impulsively flown off to post-Soviet Lithuania to partake in illegal business activities. Denise, the youngest, is recently divorced and jumping into a fling with a married man who also happens to be her boss. Meanwhile, Gary, the oldest, is trying to keep himself and his family afloat while struggling with depression.
One of the New York Times best books of the century, and one of the most humorous books I’ve ever read, The Corrections is not to be missed. It’s recently been announced that Meryl Streep will star in the TV adaptation.
Inspired by the kidnapping of her father's friend who was held at gunpoint in Long Island fifty years ago, this is an excellent read. Spanning the entirety of one family's history, Long Island Compromise explores complex family relationships and intergenerational trauma.
If you enjoyed the author's debut, Fleishman is in Trouble, you'll love this. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Edoardo Ballerini, and highly recommend it.
Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
Set in Chicago in the early 70s, this absorbing novel follows the Hildebrandt family. The patriarch Russ is an associate minister at a liberal suburban church. He's reeling with anger after being pushed out of the church’s youth group by his younger and hipper colleague. He’s also straying from his marriage and lusting after one of his volunteers.
Meanwhile, his wife Marion, whom he finds joyless, is hiding a secret (and sinful) past from him. The Hildebrandt's have three children, each one coming of age during the counterculture movement. The problem with finishing a book this good is that it can be really hard to get into another one right after.
Commitment by Mona Simpson
It’s the 70s in California and a single mother of three (sensing a theme here) named Diane Aziz has just checked into a state hospital. She leaves her children, Donny, Lina and Walter in the care of her close friend.
We follow the kids as each face their own struggles and come of age while their mother remains hospitalized. This is a gorgeous story of an unconventional family and the strength of their unwavering love for one another.
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
From the New York Times bestselling author of Dear Edward comes a deeply moving story about a man named William Waters and the family of the woman he loves. William is a young boy when his sister dies, after which his parents can no longer look at him, much less love him. So when he meets Julia Padavano in college and is embraced by her loving family, he experiences a new kind of happiness.
When the trauma from his past catches up to him, it jeopardizes his relationship with Julia and their future together. In a narrative spanning years, Ann Napolitano proves to be a master at constructing authentic and beautifully realized characters.
Real Americans by Rachel Khong
Told from the perspectives of three generations from the sixties to present day, Real Americans is an incredible story of family and friendship, and how we change as humans over the course of our lives. With each turn of the page, this story expanded in the most captivating of ways.
What Rachel Khong has crafted is a beautiful and timeless. This is a wonderful read.
What’s next? I’m currently reading Freedom by Jonathan Franzen (one of my newfound favourite authors) and next up is The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon. If you have any recommendations similar to any of these books, I’d love to hear about them on Instagram.
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