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Diana
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Emily Springer
Cutting for Stone, Abraham Verghese.
Vince
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Nancy
My feelings as I read this beautiful novel were similar to my reading of The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Both gripped me completely.
Bobbie
Geez you guys, I don't need to look anywhere other than this list for my next year's reading! The description of the book in your initial question is beautiful and expresses what I look for in most books, most often. So happy to see there are so many more like this!!! Bookmarking the page...
Ramona
Elegance of the Hedgehog
Kirsta
Lonesome Dove. Seriously. I've never felt so strongly about a story. And I also LOVED A Gentleman in Moscow and Rules of Civility.
Betsy Garside
Angle of Repose, Wallace Stegner. And I second the Mark Helprin nods as well.
Wendy
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks, and I agree with All the Light We Cannot See, The Nightingale, and Bel Canto! All were just beautiful.
kimberly hoskins
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Tina
Life After Life, and then A God in Ruins...both Kate Atkinson. The Invisible Bridge is amazing too.
Jamie
As a voracious reader and English teacher, I'm always looking for novels that bridge the realms of the enjoyable and the literary; there are very few that make my top list. They are the ones that teach me new ideas, words, history and a new view on life and make me work to keep up with the writer. Way too much fiction is forgettable the moment you put it down precisely because it asked nothing of the reader.
Ones that join this novel are:
Possession (the single most dazzling literary achievement of the modern age and the one novel I would put up against anything by the Brontes, Dickens, Austen and the greats of the past. It is equal parts demanding and astonishing. My students labor through it and then declare it the triumph of their reading lives. It's also one of the most moving love stories you will ever read.)
Cold Mountain
Atonement
The God of Small Things
Stones from the River
Ahab's Wife
Ones that join this novel are:
Possession (the single most dazzling literary achievement of the modern age and the one novel I would put up against anything by the Brontes, Dickens, Austen and the greats of the past. It is equal parts demanding and astonishing. My students labor through it and then declare it the triumph of their reading lives. It's also one of the most moving love stories you will ever read.)
Cold Mountain
Atonement
The God of Small Things
Stones from the River
Ahab's Wife
Aileen
I also loved A gentleman in Moscow. I read The Song of Achilles last month and loved it. The writing is impeccable.
Also some older favorites:
The Invention of Wings
Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette
Ahab's Wife
The Poisonwood Bible
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Also some older favorites:
The Invention of Wings
Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette
Ahab's Wife
The Poisonwood Bible
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Elizabeth
I'll second both:
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.
Also Kristin Hannah's Homefront, beautifully written and crafted, although not historical. It's two female soldiers that go off to war, and what happens with their families when they are gone and when they return.
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.
Also Kristin Hannah's Homefront, beautifully written and crafted, although not historical. It's two female soldiers that go off to war, and what happens with their families when they are gone and when they return.
Marilyn
If you haven't already read it, In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larsen. 1933 Berlin, William E. Dodd becomes America's first Ambassador to Hitler's Nazi Germany in a year that proved to be a turning point in history.
Laura
I would also suggest the wonderful NEWS OF THE WORLD by Paulette Jiles (the aging Civil War veteran Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd is a cousin to Alexander Rostov), REMARKABLE CREATURES by Tracy Chevalier, BEL CANTO by Ann Patchett, and my fave, the OLD FILTH trilogy by Jane Gardam, about an English lawyer looking back over his life and loves. And don't forget the books of John Fowles, especially THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT'S WOMAN.
9/17: Just remembered MAJOR PETTIGREW'S LAST STAND--similar fast book with heart.
9/17: Just remembered MAJOR PETTIGREW'S LAST STAND--similar fast book with heart.
Gina Oliver
Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ichguro. Beautifully written, subtle, full of irony, a fabulous book if you haven't already read it. I thought about it a lot when I was reading A Gentleman...
Margaret
Definitely "All the Light We Cannot See." Also, it made me think of "Corelli's Mandolin." I think it's coincidence (mostly) that all three of these novels take place during or otherwise straddle WWII.
Gale Verdult
I too read A Gentleman in Moscow and thought it was very very good. It led me to want to read again "Nicholas and Alexandria" a wonderful book about the last czar of Russia. It was first published in 1967 but is now in paperback.
Arlene
I also loved Rules of Civility and look forward to A Gentleman in Moscow. You have a great list from other readers here. Ditto to All Light We Cannot See, Bel Canto, Angle of Repose & Elegance of the Hedgehog. I would add Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese and Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi.
Cindy
News of the World by Paulette Jiles. A similar story but different setting - 1800's Texas.
Cheryl Marie
I loved A Little Paris Bookshop. Not exactly historical, but beautifully written in an interesting geographic setting (Along the Seine)
Dena Beck
I throw a vote in for Bel Canto as well.
Shannon Gillies
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry is all those things (in my opinion!) Also, Atonement by Ian McEwan.
Ramona
I loved both "Rules of Civility," as well as "A Gentleman in Moscow." I hope the author publishes another book soon.
Tina Gordon
I recommend The Sympathizer. Also beautifully written, historical (Viet Nam war), but more thought provoking than depressing. That said, it runs the gamut from humor to painful truths.
P
What a great question and observation. It's well written and your expression about the emotive aspects of Towles books is spot on!
I have read many of the books proffered by these readers and totally agree with all the suggestions for those books. Best of all, I am excited to see a few books that I have not read that sound intriguing! Thank you, kindly!
I have read many of the books proffered by these readers and totally agree with all the suggestions for those books. Best of all, I am excited to see a few books that I have not read that sound intriguing! Thank you, kindly!
Sarah
Love your description of the type of book you like to read, Heather, sounds just like the type of literature I like. I have used this thread to find some recommendations for future reads, thank you all. Agree with All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr and The Book Thief, Markus Zusak as suggestions, I'd also put these out there:
The Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead,
Snow Falling on Cedars, David Guterson,
The Long Song, Andrea Levy,
Small Island, Andrea Levy,
A Fine Balance, Rohinton Mistry,
The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver,
Alone in Berlin, Hans Fallada,
A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini,
The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini,
Half of a Yellow Sun, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,
The Bookseller of Kabul, Åsne Seierstad,
The Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead,
Snow Falling on Cedars, David Guterson,
The Long Song, Andrea Levy,
Small Island, Andrea Levy,
A Fine Balance, Rohinton Mistry,
The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver,
Alone in Berlin, Hans Fallada,
A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini,
The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini,
Half of a Yellow Sun, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,
The Bookseller of Kabul, Åsne Seierstad,
Donna From
Not many books can touch A Gentleman in Moscow for pure beauty in the writing style and the descriptive depth of the characters plus a uniquely fresh premise. I echo All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. I feel that, while a good read, Elegance of the Hedgehog is at all in the same league as A Gentleman in Moscow. The Josephine B. trilogy by Sandra Gulland is fascinating, and somehow, each book successive book is as good as or better than the previous book.
Sherri Shaw
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
Renée Mauzy
To the Bright Edge of the World, by Alaskan author Eowyn Ivey. Though not historical fiction, it reads like it is and is based on the historical expedition of unexplored Alaska in the late 1800's.
Gabija
An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears.
Al Basil
The Book Thief by Zusak. Stays with you a bit, like Gentleman. Ditto on Doerr.
Gail
The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal
Meade
Ivan Doig's English Creek trilogy, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, The Art of Racing in the Rain, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.
Karen Kay
Agree re: Nightingale, Life after Life and All the light we cannot see - but especially Life after Life.
Lily
Wonderful possibilities in these comments! For those that I have read, I can see the "why" of the suggestions. I'll add one more, that I included in my review,
The Time in Between
by María Dueñas. (Listening to that book interspersed with the demanding and exhausting
A Little Life
made the latter bearable.)
Susan
I often feel that way while reading Michael Ondaatje's books--specifically, The English Patient and The Cat's Table.
Mary
I love the Sandra Gulland trilogy about Josephine Bonaparte starting with The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B.
Jenni
I read many of these years ago, but remember feeling as you describe after reading them:
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (recommend audio for this one)
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Interview with The Vampire by Anne Rice
The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan
And I second the recommendations for All the Light We Cannot See, The Poisonwood Bible, Shadow of the Wind, Lonesome Dove and Ahab's Wife.
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (recommend audio for this one)
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Interview with The Vampire by Anne Rice
The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan
And I second the recommendations for All the Light We Cannot See, The Poisonwood Bible, Shadow of the Wind, Lonesome Dove and Ahab's Wife.
Emily Murphy
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Natalie Devero
I totally second All The Light We Cannot See and The Nightingale. I am thinking that The Lilac Girls is going to be the same way but I haven't started that one yet.
Marissa Ovick
All the Light We Cannot See, Belgravia by Julian Fellowes, and the classic Random Harvest by James Hilton.
Cali Clarke
I haven't read either A Gentleman in Moscow or Rules of Civility but reading your question the first book that came to mind was 'Any Human Heart' by William Boyd.
Christopher Payson
Ivan Doig: The Bartenders Tale
Christina
A lot of great suggestions here already, I’d just add Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts.
Sherry
Books I would recommend after reading A Gentleman in Moscow include many of the books already mentioned (All the Light We Cannot See, The Nightingale, Elegance of the Hedgehog..) To these books I would add:
Crossing to Safety by Stegner Wallace
Coming Home by Rosemunde Pilcher
The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchey
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold in the 1936 Berlin Olympics by James Daniel Brown
Rent Collector by Cameron Wright
Hopefully you will have a joyful perspective on life after reading books from this list.
Crossing to Safety by Stegner Wallace
Coming Home by Rosemunde Pilcher
The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchey
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold in the 1936 Berlin Olympics by James Daniel Brown
Rent Collector by Cameron Wright
Hopefully you will have a joyful perspective on life after reading books from this list.
Fabienne Chanavat
Here a few I would recommend:
The Paris Architect
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The German Suitcase
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The Boys in the Boat
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Orphan Train
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The Paris Architect
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The German Suitcase
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The Boys in the Boat
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Orphan Train
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Karen
@Debbie - was thrilled to see Cold Sassy Tree mentioned. Pretty close to my favorite book ever.
Another oldie but goodie and also a huge favorite of mine is Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro - a beautiful, quietly heartbreaking book.
Another oldie but goodie and also a huge favorite of mine is Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro - a beautiful, quietly heartbreaking book.
Heidi
Many of the choices listed are my choices as well, but here are a few additions: Middlesex, The Passion of Artemisia,
The Kitchen Boy ( Russian revolution)
The Tender Bar (a memoir). Thanks for the question which created a list of worthy possibilities.
The Kitchen Boy ( Russian revolution)
The Tender Bar (a memoir). Thanks for the question which created a list of worthy possibilities.
Cathy Zahner
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim.
From Goodreads: "A recipe for happiness: four women, one medieval Italian castle, plenty of wisteria, and solitude as needed.
"The women at the center of The Enchanted April are alike only in their dissatisfaction with their everyday lives. They find each other—and the castle of their dreams—through a classified ad in a London newspaper one rainy February afternoon. The ladies expect a pleasant holiday, but they don’t anticipate that the month they spend in Portofino will reintroduce them to their true natures and reacquaint them with joy. Now, if the same transformation can be worked on their husbands and lovers, the enchantment will be complete.
"The Enchanted April was a best-seller in both England and the United States, where it was a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, and set off a craze for tourism to Portofino. More recently, the novel has been the inspiration for a major film (it's FABULOUS!) and a Broadway play."
From Goodreads: "A recipe for happiness: four women, one medieval Italian castle, plenty of wisteria, and solitude as needed.
"The women at the center of The Enchanted April are alike only in their dissatisfaction with their everyday lives. They find each other—and the castle of their dreams—through a classified ad in a London newspaper one rainy February afternoon. The ladies expect a pleasant holiday, but they don’t anticipate that the month they spend in Portofino will reintroduce them to their true natures and reacquaint them with joy. Now, if the same transformation can be worked on their husbands and lovers, the enchantment will be complete.
"The Enchanted April was a best-seller in both England and the United States, where it was a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, and set off a craze for tourism to Portofino. More recently, the novel has been the inspiration for a major film (it's FABULOUS!) and a Broadway play."
Karen Wills
A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin
Sally Hegedus
Elegance of the Hedgehog. And Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. Also News of the World.
Leslie's Bookcase
I love this thread what a great reading list this would be. I have spent all year trying to find a book I liked as much as this one last year. Haven't found it yet!!
Elizabeth
I have a lot of favorites already mentioned here as well! But the most epic of all was not- The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. I haven't read a Gentleman in Moscow yet but based on the similarities of all of the recommended books below it definitely just moved to the top of my list! Thanks!
Courtney Fox-Francoeur
I second many of these recommendations:
Nigthingale, All the light we cannot see, the poison wood bible, book thief, the shadow of the wind, the lilac girls, unbroken and homegoing
Some I would add:
Life in a jar- true story of Irene Sendler
The Alice Network
Sarah’s key
This is an excellent summary of outstanding historical fiction novels. I have added a bunch to my “to-read” list. Thank you guys for the excellent recommendations!
Nigthingale, All the light we cannot see, the poison wood bible, book thief, the shadow of the wind, the lilac girls, unbroken and homegoing
Some I would add:
Life in a jar- true story of Irene Sendler
The Alice Network
Sarah’s key
This is an excellent summary of outstanding historical fiction novels. I have added a bunch to my “to-read” list. Thank you guys for the excellent recommendations!
Kathy Tuesday Book Club
All the Light You Cannot See, The Nightingale, News of the World are all excellent. I ,too, loved a Gentleman in Moscow and enjoyed Rules of Civility. Another really good historical fiction is The Last Days of Night.
Lisa
Once We Were Brothers by Ronald Balson
Unbroken by Lauren Hillenbrand
Unbroken by Lauren Hillenbrand
Debbie
The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa
Song Yet Sung by James McBride
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa
Song Yet Sung by James McBride
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
LLNYC
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett, also transporting - and also explores ideas of family/kinship.
Helena Limjap
the sympathizer by viet thanh nguyen and all the light we cannot see by anthony doerr
Susan Rubin Elfant
I echo the Elegance of the Hedgehog. Similar to A Gentleman in Moscow, it focuses on a small world with themes of life, personal relationships, art and culture (although not historical).
Rosanne Wilson
America's First Daughter
Ellen
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Maggie Lucey
War and Peace, but I give a vote also to Bel Canto
Dean Rehberger
Beautiful Ruins, Jess Walter
A Girl from Krakow, Alex Rosenberg
Avenue of Mysteries, John Irving
A Girl from Krakow, Alex Rosenberg
Avenue of Mysteries, John Irving
Abi
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.. agree, Nightigale, All the Light we Cannot See, Snow Child.. beautiful books
Valerie Niemerg
Holy cow next time I need to find a good book to read I'm revisiting this thread!
I add my votes for The Boys in the Boat and The Kite Runner, but also Pillar of Iron, Agony and Ecstasy, Dear and Glorious Physician, And pretty much anything by Taylor Caldwell. . .
I add my votes for The Boys in the Boat and The Kite Runner, but also Pillar of Iron, Agony and Ecstasy, Dear and Glorious Physician, And pretty much anything by Taylor Caldwell. . .
Jamie
Cutting for Stone is not to be missed!
Erin Green
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. Don't get disgusted when you read the synopsis (Dracula is involved) it's all history and geography and painted so well you are there in every country and every decade. I lost a part of me when the book ended. I looked forward to our time together every night. ;)
Holly
Did I mention The Invention of Wings?
Kathleen Nelson
H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald, especially for bird lovers.
Kathi
Try The Last Days of Night. It's historical fiction. Our hard core reading group, with ten of us, hardly ever give anything a five. It received 5 fives, 3 4s and 2 3s. It's good.
Jackie L
I too LOVED A Gentleman in Moscow. I'm surprised no one has mentioned Waiting by Ha Jin. It takes place in China. The characters struggle with modern communist mandates in their lives and ancient ties to traditions. I also recommend The Elegance of the Hedgehog.
yshe
The Invisible Mountain by Carolina De Robertis, Island Beneath the Sea
and House of Spirits by Isabella Allende
and House of Spirits by Isabella Allende
Maggie Reuter
Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross, The Year of Wonder by Geraldine Brooks, The Reader by Bernhard Schlink, and Me Before You by JoJo Moyes
Rebekah
Kristin Lavransdatter
Paul
Agree -- great book. Along these lines, I would highly recommend "The Museum of Extraordinary Things" by Alice Hoffman. Anything written by Ann Patchett (especially Bel Canto as others have noted!). "Property" by Valerie Martin. And, "The Signature of All things" by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Leslie
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George; News of the World by Paulette Jiles and the House at the Edge of Night by Catherine Banner.
Heather
A Soldier of the Great War - Mark Helprin
Elizabeth Dixon
I would recommend Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth and second others' recommendations of Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See and Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale.
Genie Schiegg
I agree with Diana - All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. I read it several years ago and still consider it marvelous.
Jan
Middlesex has the same unusually wonderful use of the English language. It won the 2003 Pulitzer.
Leslie
The Light Between Oceans, touching story of a very human dilemma and how love influences behavior.
Roy Baker
A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin. Another author whose use of the English language is remarkable. Great story as well.
Gabrielle
Another Ann Patchett book: State of Wonder. I liked it even better than Bel Canto. Also, The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. (And for Patchett and Gilbert fans, there's an interesting story in Gilbert's Big Magic about her close friendship with Patchett and how Gilbert had been planning to write a book with a plot almost identical to the plot of State of Wonder before she met Patchett.)
Also: A Hologram for the King (Eggers). Not quite historical but international, with a big world view, and very funny and touching.
Also: A Hologram for the King (Eggers). Not quite historical but international, with a big world view, and very funny and touching.
Linda Johnson
Oil and Marble by Stephanie Storey. Historical fiction. Fabulous debut novel!!
Also, have to agree with the suggestion for People of the Book.
Also, have to agree with the suggestion for People of the Book.
Beatrice
The Paris Architect
Nick Baam
Sort of. A short film, written by the excellent Alan Bennett, starring the excellent Alan Bates. An Englishman Abroad. Not sure if it was Kim Philby, or Guy Burgess -- I think Burgess. One of the four (or five) British cold war spies. Visited in Moscow by a contemporary, a very interesting profile. Recommend highly.
Satchmo
The Bronze Horseman. You won't be sorry.
Chris
Add another vote for 'Any Human Heart' by William Boyd...
Amanda M
The Girls At the Kingfisher Club (set in the 20s)
The Summer Before the War (set during WWI)
Rare Objects (set in the 1930s)
These are more like The Rules of Civility than A Gentleman in Moscow. They all have female protagonists!
The Summer Before the War (set during WWI)
Rare Objects (set in the 1930s)
These are more like The Rules of Civility than A Gentleman in Moscow. They all have female protagonists!
Miss M
Try The Pendragon Legend by Antal Szerb, or Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle
Linda Trevathan
William Kent Krueger books generally make me feel that way!
John Kitcher
Thomas Hardy - Return of the Native
Eiji Yoshikawa - Musashi
Frans G. Bengtsson - The Long Boats
Louis de Bernières - Birds Without Wings
Richard Llewellyn - How Green was my Valley
David Mitchell - The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet
Eiji Yoshikawa - Musashi
Frans G. Bengtsson - The Long Boats
Louis de Bernières - Birds Without Wings
Richard Llewellyn - How Green was my Valley
David Mitchell - The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet
Tanya Desjardins
Definitely, "The Hearts Invisible Furies" by John Boyne.
Malia Caruso
Murmur of Bees and Night Tiger
Beth
Thanks for my new reading list that should take me through 2020...one of my favs is The Ragged Edge of Night by Olivia Hawker
Patricia
The Elegance of the Hedgehog.
The Hare with the Amber Eyes.
The Hare with the Amber Eyes.
Debra Wisniewski
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Lori Peterson-Palmer
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.
Jhawk
Mark Helprin A Soldier of the Great War - specifically that book, not his others, although they are good ASOTGW has the charm, humour , tragedy and characterisation of a Gentleman in Moscow. In fact no other Mark Helprin book can hold a candle to ASOTGW.
Renee Kahl
Anything by Pearl Buck, especially Pavilion of Women; Cold Mountain and Thirteen Moons for Civil War era; Stones from the River and Suite Francaise for WWII but please ignore recommendations for the Nightingale from that era--it is not beautifully written, it is trite schlock!
Margo Anos Andrews
City of Women (David Gillham) 1940s Berlin.
Cathleen Clements
Anything by Alan Furst.
Jill Bradberry
I agree with The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern--2 of my all-time favorites, as is A Gentleman in Moscow now. I would add Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Cara
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye and it's sequel The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessey are two books that gave me the same kind of feeling that A Gentleman in Moscow did.
Ingmar
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned 'When Nietzsche Wept' by Irvin B Yalom. That's the first book I come to think of when reading 'Gentleman'. It has the same beautiful prose and the same depth in character and ideas.
Obviously also 'The Idiot' by Dostoyevsky comes to mind, because of the setting and cast of personalities, and because of the eccentric personality of the main character
I'm surprised so many are mentioning 'All the Light' for three reasons. 1) The protagonists in 'All The Light' are teenagers, and thus 'All the Light' has much more of a YA feel 2) There's a big dose of Fantasy/Magic Realism in 'All the Light' which is non-existent in 'Gentleman'... 3) The structure of 'All the Light' zig-zags itself to a climax, whereas 'Gentleman' unfolds in a linear style
Obviously also 'The Idiot' by Dostoyevsky comes to mind, because of the setting and cast of personalities, and because of the eccentric personality of the main character
I'm surprised so many are mentioning 'All the Light' for three reasons. 1) The protagonists in 'All The Light' are teenagers, and thus 'All the Light' has much more of a YA feel 2) There's a big dose of Fantasy/Magic Realism in 'All the Light' which is non-existent in 'Gentleman'... 3) The structure of 'All the Light' zig-zags itself to a climax, whereas 'Gentleman' unfolds in a linear style
Susan
I loved both of those books by Amor Towle, as well. In fact, A Gentleman in Moscow is my favorite book of the past two years! Here's a few of my other faves. Some more for the story; some for the writing and some for both!
The Last Painting of Sara DeVos by Dominic Smith
Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
The Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland
Daughter of Fortune by Isabelle Allende
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
The Last Painting of Sara DeVos by Dominic Smith
Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
The Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland
Daughter of Fortune by Isabelle Allende
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
Laura
Favorite Russian historical fiction:
War and Peace
Doctor Zhivago
Favorite more recent literary fiction:
All the Light We Cannot See
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
The Snow Child
The Poisonwood Bible
Atonement
The Magus by John Fowles
War and Peace
Doctor Zhivago
Favorite more recent literary fiction:
All the Light We Cannot See
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
The Snow Child
The Poisonwood Bible
Atonement
The Magus by John Fowles
Linda
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
A Place called Winter by Patrick Gale
Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin
Nightwoods by Charles Frazier
City of Thieves by David Benioff
A Place called Winter by Patrick Gale
Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin
Nightwoods by Charles Frazier
City of Thieves by David Benioff
Golfer76
The Sparrow & Paris in the Present Tense
Lorian Bruce
As Trains Pass By: Katinka Herman Bang (1857-1912)
The Lemon Jelly Cake by Madeline Babcock Smith
The Lemon Jelly Cake by Madeline Babcock Smith
Janie
Bernice McFadden's "Book of Harlan" - a gem!
Nikkie
If you are interested in other historical fictions set in Russia, try Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay.
Cristina Guicciardi Cattaneo
The Uncommon Reader (novella), London, 2007; The Lady in the Van; Talking Heads, London: BBC Publications, 1988; New York: Summit, 1990, as well as all the other works by Alan Bennet, British actor, writer, playwright. All delightful.
The Beginning of Spring by Penelope Fitzgerald. You won't be disappointed!
Cristina Cattaneo
The Beginning of Spring by Penelope Fitzgerald. You won't be disappointed!
Cristina Cattaneo
Deb Phelps
The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage. Published in 1967. Don't know how I missed it for so long.
Mary
Anything by Candice Millard
Sandy Brown
A Legacy
Sybille Bedford
A tougher book to read, but worth the effort. There are some commonalities between these books: a country at a turning point and its effect on the upper class.
Sybille Bedford
A tougher book to read, but worth the effort. There are some commonalities between these books: a country at a turning point and its effect on the upper class.
aqsa.
Kartography - historical fiction and weaving characters of real life.
Debbie
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure
Kat
Highly recommend The House of Special Purpose by John Boyne!
Franc
Eloise in Moscow
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
SueKich
I am reading A Gentleman in Moscow at the moment - and loving it. I would recommend to you Golden Hill by Francis Spufford.
Matthew Whyndham
Two works by William Boyd: Any Human Heart, and The Romantic.
Robin
Our country friends by Gary Shteyngart, 2021
Heather
Possession by A.S. Byatt
Julier
GREAT QUESTION = great answers!!
Elizabeth
Ivan Doig - The Whistling Season
Eileen Arbesfeld glick
If you loved his first 2 books you will love his latest book, The Lincoln Highway an excellent read! I also recommend This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger.
Krista
Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield
Kate Johnson
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
Libby Lloyd
Jane Gardam - Trilogy - Children of the Raj
Patricia
Try “Memoirs of A Geisha.” It is a great book!!!!
Nathan Chattaway
I think Becca's excellently curated list needs these added:
Charles Dickens - Dombey and Son.
Anthony Trollope - The Barchester Chronicles.
Charles Dickens - Dombey and Son.
Anthony Trollope - The Barchester Chronicles.
Kelly Keith
Elizabeth Gilbert - City of Girls
Cynthia
You might try "The Island of Sea Women" by Lisa See and "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern.
Sally Linford
Surprised NOT to see Anna Karenina (Tolstoy) in the list of book recommendations. I was thinking of Anna the whole time.
Marli
Three Men in a Boat (not to mention the Dog) by Jerome K. Jerome
Caitlin
I loved All The Light We Cannot See - it's my favourite book. If you're looking for a more dense read, perhaps try The Kennedy Women or Jackie, Ethel, Joan. True stories - both of them - but they're quite the fascinating read.
Jax
A Solider of the Great War, Mark Helprin
Penny
A great list, containing several that I would have also mentioned. Adding Evelyn Waugh's "Brideshead Revisited" and Elizabeth Jane Howard's "The Cazalet Chronicles," five-book series starting with "The Light Years." Definitely read in order.
Andrea
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
Patricia King
I love this question! The first novels that leap to my mind in response: Mating, by Norman Rush; Animal Dreams, by Barbara Kingsolver; Cold Mountain, by Charles Frazier; Euphoria, by Lily King; Hummingbird House, by Patricia Henley. Happy reading!
Dianne
The Salt Path by Raynor Winn and The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure
Mari Oolong
Bel Canto by Anne Pachett
Rosheen
I agree with ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE by Anothony Doerr and will add PACHINKO by Min Jin Lee, and THE WHITE GIRL by Tony Birch
Emily
I second Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verhese. I'd also add a 3rd Lisa See book to the list -- The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane. Also 11/22/63 by Stephen King.
Dan McD
Night Train to Lisbon, by Pascal Mercier
Raivis
I Served The King of England by Bohumil Hrabal.
Maria
The Butterfly Room or The Seven Sisters, both by Lucinda Reilly
Trayc
The Book Thief, Markus Zusak
Elena Ganusova
I LOVED this book! This is an extraordinary piece!!!
Constant Reader
Sadie Smith White Teeth
Muhammad Atif
Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie
Sandra Munro
A Story Like the Wind, by Laurens van der Post; Girl With a Pearl Earring, by Tracy Chevalier; Cold Comfort Farm, by Stella Gibbons; Three Men in a Boat, by Jerome K. Jerome - the first two are likewise very beautifully written, the next two are likewise surprising reads: the former is a weirdly hilarious parody, and the latter is a gentle, very funny read - both are historically interesting. Another I'd recommend is Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks.
Eileen Uihlein Donohue
Wunderland
Louise
Life is so good - George Dawson
Lisa Phillips
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
Gerry Goulding
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.
Zdenka Rosecka
the star of the north
Kerry
So glad I stumbled on your question! Such great suggestions here!! Many, many of them I have read and loved which makes the rest of the list that I haven't read a great resource.
Deleana
When Women Had Wings - forgot author.
Manoj Aggarwal
The Case of Exploding Mangoes..
Marcy
Wonderful list. I’ve read many of these and most of my favorites are here. Let’s not forget an oldie, Sophie’s Choice. Beautifully written, somewhat difficult to digest, it stirs your deepest emotions and stays with you forever.
Inge
LOVE all of these suggestions! Thanks in particular for @Becca Young for the summary! Many of my favourite books are on this list already, but just want to add three more:
Time and time again - Ben Elton
Language of Flowers - Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Circling the Sun - Paula McLain
:-)
Time and time again - Ben Elton
Language of Flowers - Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Circling the Sun - Paula McLain
:-)
Jane
Have read and love many of the recommendations but don't see any mention of "The Garden of Evening Mists" by Tan Twan Eng
Nicte Cicero
Suite Francaise by Irène Némirovsky. This novel is sublime, set in recently occupied France during IIWW. don't watch the film, it's rubbish in spite of a good cast.
HHhH by Laurent Binet. About the plot to kill Heydrich. The best of the book is that it tells you how it was written while telling you the story. Exciting reading experience.
HHhH by Laurent Binet. About the plot to kill Heydrich. The best of the book is that it tells you how it was written while telling you the story. Exciting reading experience.
Maryann Mac
the Romanov Empress, good read about history and tranfer of power in Russian..
Halah
Bridge of Clay and the Book Thief - Markus Zusak
Barbara
Eleanor Olephant is fine
Rajeev Oak
Try "Hemingway's Chair" by Michael Palin, a member of Monty Python. It belongs to a different era and a different milieu; nevertheless, the protagonist's heroic and lonely battle against the forces of change and modernity echo, in some way, the Count's Quixotic efforts
Mary Anne Ross
Middlesex and The Virgin Suicides both by Jeffrey Eugenides.
June Chatelle
I really liked Paullina Simons' trilogy, most particularly The Bronze Horseman. Set during the siege of Leningrad that began in Autumn 1941. It is factually very accurate portrayal of the unimaginable horrors the city faced and the unbelievable strength the citizenship portrayed.
Jeremy
The Gate of Angels by Penelope Fitzgerald
Greg
The Prague Sonata by Bradford Morrow
and
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
and
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
Dave Tomberlin
"The Heavenly Table" by Donald Ray Pollock
Kathryn
I see that it's a year since your original post, but if you're still looking for recommendations, here are some of my recent favorites.
Everyone Brave is Forgiven and Little Bee, both by Chris Cleave. He has an absolute mastery of language and story.
Winter Garden, by Kristin Hannah is one of the most beautiful stories I've read.
Beneath a Scarlet Sky, by Mark Sullivan
Everyone Brave is Forgiven and Little Bee, both by Chris Cleave. He has an absolute mastery of language and story.
Winter Garden, by Kristin Hannah is one of the most beautiful stories I've read.
Beneath a Scarlet Sky, by Mark Sullivan
Shannon
The Thirteen Lives of Harry August
Lori Dunbar
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.
Linda
It was like being in Russia again. As the arch of his life was revealed I could not help but reflect on the arc of my interest in Russia--being during the cold war studying Russian language, visiting St. Petersburg after Glasnost. All the unique details were delightful. But the most lingering thought and feeling was how the people of Russia have carried on living interesting, disciplined, and productive lives with grace and humor despite its deplorable government leaders.
Good lesson learned for Americans these days. Did I ever think I would have this insight in 1967 when Russia was a cold, hard villain? No but fact is truer than fiction.
Good lesson learned for Americans these days. Did I ever think I would have this insight in 1967 when Russia was a cold, hard villain? No but fact is truer than fiction.
Marymary
Anything by Robertson Davies. Especially his trilogies.
Dan
Mark Helprin's "Soldier of the Great War" or "Memoir from Ant-proof Case".
Ladyce West
Any Human Heart: The Intimate Journals of Logan Mountstuart, William Boyd -- The elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery -- Stone Diaries, Carol Shields -- Life after life, Kate Atkinson -- The Time in Between, Maria Dueñas -- An Instance of the Fingerpost, Iain Pears
Christine H
Before we were brothers
Kathi
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. So Good!! A Prayer of Owen Meany just amazed me and I think it's my all time favorite!! It is excellent. I would second The Elegance of the Hedgehog and The Poisonwood Bible. The Swan Thieves was good too.
Tricia
I just finished his "Rules of Civility", would recommend it to everyone. Such a good book.
Doug
So many great suggestions on here! If you liked the writing style and the historical aspect, The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova is similar. There are some issues with plot holes and pacing, especially towards the end, but the prose is wonderful and it immerses you in the setting through several decades.
Michael
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
sarah morgan
I second many listed here: Tartt's The Goldfinch, Cutting for Stone, and All the Light. and might I add...All Lemony Snicket books :-) for the voice.
Shelly Lincoln
The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean
Alana Witkowich
A Marriage of Opposites, Alice Hoffman.
Linda Block
Flowers In The Blood by Gay Courtier.
Jean
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand.
I can't remember why I chose to read A Gentleman in Moscow. I have a feeling it was recommended after I rated the book above.
I can't remember why I chose to read A Gentleman in Moscow. I have a feeling it was recommended after I rated the book above.
Yvette
As I was reading and preparing to moderate my book club's discussion of A Gentleman ... I kept remembering the book Dreams of Joy by Lisa See, about a young American girl who runs away to Shanghai in search of her father and is confronted by life in Communist China.
Debe
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson.
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May 24, 2018 08:57AM · flag
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