Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

A multi-generational saga usually follows the lives of one or more families over a number of generations. As well as telling a story, they can often give an interesting glimpse into how society and people's lives changed over a period of time.
Warning: they can often be looooong! But you'll find plenty of shorter options on the lists below if 500+ page door stops aren't your thing.

Suggestions
Goodreads: Popular multi-generational books
Bookriot: 100 must read generational and family novels
Goodreads: Best family sagas
The Guardian: 1000 novels everyone must read: family and self (Note: not every book on this list would work for this prompt but I've included it as it lists plenty of great books that would work.)
AbeBooks: Steinbeck to Saramago: A collection of family sagas

Optional questions
- What are you reading this week?
- What period of history is it set in?
- Tell us about the family, or families, featured in the story.

Question about this prompt (or how everyone is interpreting it)...

Some of the books on the lists are just one single timeline that focuses on both parents and children. To me, this isn't exactly a multi-generational saga because it just features the adults as adults and their children as children (without seeing them evolve over time).

Do you think these books count? (For example, the first GR list has The Hate U Give on the list, but I would say this definitely doesn't fit...)

I agree - “saga” suggests passage of time to me. The Hate U Give is a story about a family, but not a multigenerational saga. I’d go even further and say “multi” means at least three generations, if you like to stick to the letter of the law.

Books that fit that definition that I’ve read and I would highly recommend include Homegoing, One Hundred Years of Solitude, and The Joy Luck Club.

I’m thinking about Roots: The Saga of an American Family, Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China and Centennial but will keep looking for other options.

Emily wrote: "Question about this prompt (or how everyone is interpreting it). Some of the books on the lists are just one single timeline that focuses on both parents and children. this isn't exactly a multi-generational saga..."

I think by strict definition a multi-generation saga is a doorstopper book that covers multiple generations of a family over decades, like the types of books that were popular in the 70s and 80s such as The Thorn Birds, The Winds of War, The Far Pavilions, or Evergreen.

However, it could easily be interpreted as any book that features multiple generations of a family in one timeline. That is multi-generational, isn't it?

I'm in the multiple generations over time camp but I don't necessarily think it needs to be a doorstop.

Homegoing and Pachinko are two recent books that fit this prompt that aren't super long. I would highly recommend both!

This was actually one of my suggestions and the aforementioned Roots and Thornbirds were the inspiration since both are on my 50 before 50 challenge so I intend to read one of them for this prompt.

I've Got Jhumpa Lahiri's The Lowland pencilled in here. I've seen it described and listed several times as a multi-generational saga but I'm a bit worried it isn't sweeping or door-stoppery enough. If I still feel that way after I read it I'm sure I can find something else - time permitting of course. It's usually a genre a I enjoyed. I have A Cloud in the Shape of a Girl on my TBR and that could also work.

I guess I'm going to try Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits. I've been avoiding it for years; I don't know why...

Other possibilities:
Behind the Scenes at the Museum - Kate Atkinson
Pachinko - Min Jin Lee

I am planning to read The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton. I really don't know anything about it, but saw it on Listopia lists for multi-generational saga. I borrowed this from my sister so I already have a copy & I think I'll keep the details a surprise until I read it.

If you haven't read Homegoing, I echo those who recommended this book. It definitely is multi-generational and such an excellent book, one of my favorites. And it is not a door-stop.

Ooh, The House of the Spirits is another great one!

I loved Homegoing this year, and that's the definition of multigenerational saga for me... page length nonwithstanding.

Stacey, I was also looking at The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender as a possibility. I'm expecting to read Pachinko for another prompt earlier in the list (it currently fits in 7 of my prompts and another 4 of my rejects), so I'm thinking Ava Lavender or Middlesex might be the way I go.

Chrissy wrote: "Ooh, The House of the Spirits is another great one!"

Glad to hear that, Chrissy. I really want to read it in 2019 but I've always managed to put off reading it!

Middlesex would definitely work and it’s amazing!

If you’re into historical fiction and not afraid of doorstops, I also highly recommend The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett. The series spans the 20th Century following families from different countries (USA, UK, Russia, Germany) with Fall of Giants roughly WWI, Winter of the World for roughly WWII and Edge of Eternity for the Cold War. I listened to them on audiobook and the narrator is brilliant.

I absolutely loved Homegoing - it fits this category perfectly, and it is not a door-stopper. I highly recommend!!

I don't like door-stoppers so I tend to avoid "sagas" - right now I pencilled in Saga, Vol. 9, because it's called "Saga" so it fits! I know it's not what was intended, though, so I'll be watching this post for ideas.

Does anyone know if Flowers in the Attic would work for this? It was on one of the lists but after reading the synopsis it doesn't really sound like it.


Before We Were Yours would work for this. I read it a couple months ago and loved it.

My options are:

Bloodroot
Homegoing
Middlesex
Pachinko
Roots: The Saga of an American Family

If nothing else pops up I have Roots: The Saga of an American Family sitting on my bookshelf and I have never read it, so this is a good tip.

Tonya wrote: "Does anyone know if Flowers in the Attic would work for this? It was on one of the lists but after reading the synopsis it doesn't really sound like it.


[book:Before We Were Yours|3..."

IIRC (and mind you, it's been a very long time since I read this!), FitA focuses only on one character's perspective, though her mother and grandparents play important roles in the story.

Ok, feeling better so time to jump in. I was going to read Cane River for this ( and who knows? I still might) but someone mentioned this book in a thread for another topic and I can't remember which. It sounded interesting and seemed to fit here so I decided to use it. Land of Love and Drowning.

I saw The Historian shelved as multi-generational; has anybody read it who can confirm?

Same question about We, the Drowned


If neither of those works, I may break down and finally read One Hundred Years of Solitude. Anybody else notice the propensity for magical realism in multigenerational sagas?

Do I want to re-read One Hundred Years of Solitude? Finally tackle some Faulkner with As I Lay Dying? Finally get The Corrections off of my TBR pile?

Also, what is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone doing on Goodreads' "Best family sagas" list??

One of my GR friends says The Historian covers 3 generations.

Fall on Your Knees covers 5 generations!

The Forsyte Saga would work for this too.

Not my favorite prompt, family sagas are just not my thing, but I found The House of the Spirits and it looks like it should be a good read.

Seluxes wrote: "As for me, I am thinking of going the very fluffy route with Devil's Daughter since it will definitely involve several generations of two major families."

Thanks for mentioning this one. I'm going to add it as a possibility.

I just finished Cutting for Stone, and I would say it is a multigenerational saga. The story begins with Marion's mother and father, and then continues on his story from his birth through his late adulthood.

At 600+ pages, it is on the long side, but it reads pretty easy, especially if you're used to medical terminology (nearly every character in the novel is a doctor or nurse).

For anyone looking for a science fiction option, I'm currently listening to Semiosis and each section jumps to the next generation of settlers. I'm currently on the 7th generation. It's an interesting concept, what if intelligent alien life was plant-based?

Someone mentioned Pachinko above so I'll probably use either that or Homegoing for this one. Came to this thread looking for ideas and have been duly rewarded. Thanks!

Can anyone advise whether Sing, Unburied, Sing would work here? I'm afraid it may fall into the "multi-gen dynamics but not a saga" bucket, but I don't want to spoil myself by reading enough of a detailed plot summary to be sure....
Thanks!

Right, I would say that SUS is not a saga. It involves three generations, but from what I remember, most of the action takes place over just a few weeks, plus some flashbacks.

Agree with Nadine that "Sing" doesn't really fit here but if you're looking to fit it into the challenge, you can use Book with criminal character, Strong sense of place, A book that includes a journey and I think weird or intriguing title works as well. I'm sure it's also on at least one of the list prompts as well.

Rokkan, both Pachinko and Homegoing are great choices for this. I really enjoyed both.

I'm going with a reread and it's a big big book. I remember liking it in my teens but now that I"m turning 50 soon I have it on my 50/50 list and I think I also have the audio book.

Gone with the Wind

Thanks for the guidance about Sing, Unburied, Sing. I realized I could slot House of the Spirits here and use a different book for my "multiple titles by this author on my TBR" category.

I've tentatively placed SUS in "dual timeline" on account of the flashbacks.

Thanks again!

Sherri wrote: "Thanks for the guidance about Sing, Unburied, Sing. I realized I could slot House of the Spirits here and use a different book for my "multiple titles by this author on my TBR" category.

I've tent..."

I hope you like it!

Does The Underground Railroad count? I have it on my 2019 plan for this prompt, but I'm not sure. I think there is a multi-generation element, but I'd like some help about whether this one fits.

I don't remember multiple generations in Underground Railroad

Charlotte — I don’t think Underground Railroad would work for the Saga prompt, but it would be an app excellent choice for the journey prompt.

Mom2triplets04 wrote: "I'm going with a reread and it's a big big book. I remember liking it in my teens but now that I"m turning 50 soon I have it on my 50/50 list and I think I also have the audio book..."

I wouldn't personally count Gone with the Wind as multi-generational. Scarlett's parents and children are in the book, but it is very much her story.

You hear a bit about the background of the mother and grandmother in the Underground Railroad but not enough that I would call it a family saga. But absolutely agree with the perfect fit for 'journey'.

I'm struggling with this one, as a lot of books it isn't clear how many generations are involved. Does anyone know if any of these could be classed as multi-generational?

When We Were Orphans
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Where Angels Fear to Tread

ok, thanks everyone. I'm going with A Kind of Freedom instead. It's tough to know whether a book I've never read fits some of these prompts!

I've chosen Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi for this one. It's the story of two half-sisters born in Ghana and their descendants. The novel spans almost 300 years, from the mid-1700's through the present.

Stacey wrote: "I've chosen Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi for this one. It's the story of two half-sisters born in Ghana and their descendants. The novel spans 300 years, from the 1800's..."

Homegoing is a great choice for this prompt!

I was all set to to go old school with either Roots: The Saga of an American Family or The Thornbirds but now I'm super intrigued by The Old Drift.

Damn you, Millions Most Anticipated, you are screwing up my whole challenge!

Rachelnyc wrote: "I was all set to to go old school with either Roots: The Saga of an American Family or The Thornbirds but now I'm super intrigued by The Old Drift. ..."

Oh do you think The Old Drift would work for this category?? Because ... I did just add that to my TBR. And I'm still not sure what I'm reading for this one. (right now I have Saga, Vol. 9 penciled in)

Nadine wrote: "Rachelnyc wrote: "I was all set to to go old school with either Roots: The Saga of an American Family or The Thornbirds but now I'm super intrigued by The Old Drift "

I just re-read the GR blurb with this category in mind, and I think you're right! I see words like "three families" and "sweeping" and "saga" and SCORE!

Nadine wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Rachelnyc wrote: "I was all set to to go old school with either Roots: The Saga of an American Family or The Thornbirds but now I'm super intrigued by Th..."

Yep, based on the blurb I think it will be perfect for this prompt!

Emily wrote: "Stacey wrote: "I've chosen Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi for this one. It's the story of two half-sisters born in Ghana and their descendants. The novel spans 300 years, ..."

Yesss! I'm really enjoying this one already, Emily.

Wendy wrote: "One of my GR friends says The Historian covers 3 generations.

Fall on Your Knees covers 5 generations!

The Forsyte Saga would work for this too."

I absolutely loved Fall on Your Knees. Terrific pick for this prompt!

What are you reading this week?
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

What period of history is it set in?
1969 through the next five decades

Tell us about the family, or families, featured in the story.
its about 4 siblings that meet with a psychic

Would the graphic novel “Saga” work for this prompt?