Author Topic: Recommend me some good Epic Novels (ones with a great deal of depth) (Read 2936 times)

Vajra · « **on:** June 29, 2011, 04:22:45 PM »

When I use the word "epic" I mean a novel that is very grand in scope, contains a great deal of themes, vibrant characterization, and complex plot structure. A book that really stands out from the rest. I'm looking for standard fiction, or at the least, very realistic scifi/fantasy.

Books similar to...

A Tale of Two Cities
Gone With The Wind
Great Expectations
1984
The Count of Monte Cristo
Moby Dick
The Stand
Lord of the Rings
Romeo and Juliet (play)
Paradise Lost (poem)
Dante's Inferno (poem)

Ħ · « **Reply #1 on:** June 29, 2011, 04:23:14 PM »

Quote from: Samara on June 29, 2011, 04:22:45 PM

A Tale of Two Cities

My favorite book.

Ravenheart · « **Reply #2 on:** June 29, 2011, 04:38:25 PM »

Stephen King's IT.

lonestar · « **Reply #3 on:** June 29, 2011, 05:18:43 PM »

Check out Black Hills by Dan Simmons or South of Broad by Pat Conroy.

Ryzee · « **Reply #4 on:** June 29, 2011, 05:23:21 PM »

Quote from: Ravenheart on June 29, 2011, 04:38:25 PM

Stephen King's IT.

Came in here to post this. I think it meets all of the requirements mentioned in the OP. Not sure I'd call some of the plot points "very realistic," but like most King stuff the focus is on the characters more than the sci-fi/horror. Great book.

Portrucci · « **Reply #5 on:** June 29, 2011, 06:20:12 PM »

I'd recommend Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky's translation of Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. Quite the epic novel. Primarily a crime thriller but there is a lot of interesting psychological sub-text woven in.

LeeHarveyKennedy · « **Reply #6 on:** June 29, 2011, 06:21:56 PM »

Mark Z. Danielewski: House of Leaves. Full stop.

Genowyn · « **Reply #7 on:** June 29, 2011, 08:40:52 PM »

Unless you have a hate on for fantasy I recommend the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin and the Kingkiller Chronicles series by Patrick Rothfuss.

Quote from: LeeHarveyKennedy on June 29, 2011, 06:21:56 PM

Mark Z. Danielewski: House of Leaves. Full stop.

Also a freaking amazing book.

Volk9 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 29, 2011, 08:43:42 PM »

I second a Song of Fire and Ice, and also recommend Pillars of the Earth.

soundgarden · « **Reply #9 on:** June 29, 2011, 11:03:14 PM »

If you want epic, and seriously EPIC, read GRRM's Song of ice and Fire series (as suggested above). Its not really a fantasy story though; more so political intrigue with all the gore, sex, and humor one can only hope for.

HBO started teh first season based off the first book and the 2nd season of hte 2nd book next year.

Xanthul · « **Reply #10 on:** June 30, 2011, 12:49:26 AM »

Kinda obvious choices, maybe you have read them but as you don't mention them in your post:

Ken Follett - The Pillars of the Earth
Fyodor Dostoevski - Crime and Punishment
JRR Tolkien - The Lord of the Rings

The Dark Master · « **Reply #11 on:** June 30, 2011, 12:57:28 AM »

The Elric books by Michael Moorcock. Elric (the main character) is the antithesis of the archetypal fantasy hero, and the stories feature a central moral conflict revolving around "Law vs Chaos" rather then "Good vs Evil" (and it is made clear in the books that Law is not synonymous with Good, nor is Chaos synonymous with Evil). If your experience with fantasy is predominantly limited Tolkien-esque quest stories, Elric will be breath of fresh air and a major kick in the literary ass.

orcus116 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 30, 2011, 01:01:25 AM »

A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving

TheVoxyn · « **Reply #13 on:** June 30, 2011, 05:39:27 AM »

Lord of the Flies by Golding

Not epic that is has a grand environment and big battles, but epic in the sense that the underlying themes are really well done. And it's one of the best books I've ever read.

jingle.boy · « **Reply #14 on:** June 30, 2011, 07:52:29 AM »

Being a huge King fan, I third the motion for IT. As well as put in a nomination for The Dark Tower odyssey... 7 novels. You want epic, this is it.

YtseBitsySpider · « **Reply #15 on:** June 30, 2011, 07:55:33 AM »

thomas covenant series....Stephen R. Donaldson I think

Rafael Guerra · « **Reply #16 on:** June 30, 2011, 08:39:10 AM »

If you like Charles Dickens, you should check out his novel Hard Times as well.
Also, Cormac McCarthy is a pretty epic writer. The Road, No Country For Old Man and All The Pretty Horses come to mind.

Ħ · « **Reply #17 on:** June 30, 2011, 05:51:20 PM »

Quote from: Rafael Guerra on June 30, 2011, 08:39:10 AM

If you like Charles Dickens, you should check out his novel Hard Times as well.

I love Dickens but this is one book I can't stand.

lonestar · « **Reply #18 on:** June 30, 2011, 07:32:50 PM »

Quote from: orcus116 on June 30, 2011, 01:01:25 AM

A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving

100% agreed. One of the best books I have ever read, your search is over.

axeman90210 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 30, 2011, 09:26:10 PM »

Quote from: jingle.boy on June 30, 2011, 07:52:29 AM

Being a huge King fan, I third the motion for IT. As well as put in a nomination for The Dark Tower odyssey... 7 novels. You want epic, this is it.

this, exactly

GuineaPig · « **Reply #20 on:** June 30, 2011, 09:33:33 PM »

The problem with The Dark Tower is that a good 50% of it is filler. And worse, bad filler.

axeman90210 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 30, 2011, 09:49:07 PM »

the only book I wasn't crazy about was Song of Susannah, and Wizard and Glass is one of my favorite books.

crawl_away · « **Reply #22 on:** July 01, 2011, 12:16:31 AM »

The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe.

It's the first of a four part series.

Brilliant.

Logical Nightmare · « **Reply #23 on:** July 01, 2011, 02:20:33 AM »

If you're interested in ancient Egypt, The Egyptian. (Translation of the original title, Sinuhe the Egyptian.)

If you're interested in Japanese culture, samurai and the like, Musashi.

The Egyptian is one of my best reads yet. I haven't yet finished Musashi, but I absolutely love it.

TheVoxyn · « **Reply #24 on:** July 01, 2011, 05:37:34 AM »

Quote from: GuineaPig on June 30, 2011, 09:33:33 PM

The problem with The Dark Tower is that a good 50% of it is filler. And worse, bad filler.

wat

hefdaddy42 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 01, 2011, 09:52:32 AM »

Quote from: The Dark Master on June 30, 2011, 12:57:28 AM

The Elric books by Michael Moorcock. Elric (the main character) is the antithesis of the archetypal fantasy hero, and the stories feature a central moral conflict revolving around "Law vs Chaos" rather then "Good vs Evil" (and it is made clear in the books that Law is not synonymous with Good, nor is Chaos synonymous with Evil). If your experience with fantasy is predominantly limited Tolkien-esque quest stories, Elric will be breath of fresh air and a major kick in the literary ass.

The Elric books are fantastic.

But if you want awesome literary achievements, read almost anything from Cormac McCarthy.

Nekov · « **Reply #26 on:** July 01, 2011, 11:21:20 AM »

This. It is epic beyond description.

Quote from: crawl_away on July 01, 2011, 12:16:31 AM

The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe.

It's the first of a four part series.

Brilliant.

I'd recommend Do Androids Dream with Electric Sheep? By Phillip Dick - Just great.

Limbo by Bernard Wolf - 1984 kind of Scy Fy

Deathgate cycle by Margaret Wise and Tracy Hickman - Lord of the Rings type of thing.

lateralus88 · « **Reply #27 on:** July 01, 2011, 11:22:28 AM »

Hop on Pop.

lonestar · « **Reply #28 on:** July 01, 2011, 03:01:00 PM »

The Given Day- Dennis Lehane

Covers unionizing of the Boston police in post WWI era.

masterthes · « **Reply #29 on:** July 04, 2011, 10:12:43 AM »

Quote from: YtseBitsySpider on June 30, 2011, 07:55:33 AM

thomas covenant series....Stephen R. Donaldson I think

I'm on the third book and I'm not overly impressed. It's alright, but nothing spectacular

News: DreamTheaterForums is a place for people who just don't have the time for music anymore.

Author Topic: Recommend me some good Epic Novels (ones with a great deal of depth) (Read 2936 times)