25+ Beautiful Family Sagas to Fascinate You
The family sagas on this list are all multi-generational novels that are riveting, emotional journeys that will leave you wanting more. Each of these family sagas is filled with love and loss and the characters live their lives.
You will get to know them, love them, hate them, and dream for them before the story is done. These family sagas are so varied from the time they take place to where they take place. But, they will all leave you feeling like you know the characters within the pages.
*The family saga Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you.
Beautiful Family Sagas
Immigration Family Sagas // Classic Family Sagas // Family Sagas Set in America // Set in Africa & Asia // Set in Europe // Celebrity Book Club Picks // Series // Set in NYC
Immigration Family Sagas
Real Americans by Rachel Khong
May 2024 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Told by three separate narrators, this story of love, family, and belonging is quite a literary feat. When Lily, the daughter of a Chinese immigrant, meets Matthew, the heir to a billionaire’s fortune, sparks fly immediately.
But something happens that causes Lily to leave her love shortly after the birth of their son, Nick. Twenty years later Nick’s part of the story is quite different from Lily’s as he struggles to be his own man as he grapples with the choices his mother made for him.
We are then propelled back in time for the latter third of the novel when Nick’s grandmother’s story plays out during Mao’s rise to power. Her story ultimately ties up questions left unanswered.
Why I Loved It: Epic in scale, each narrator’s story layered onto the lore of the Chen family until a compelling, richly woven history was crafted. I found myself flip-flopping my opinions of various characters – particularly Matthew – throughout the novel. Ultimately, I was left pondering how Nick’s life differed from his grandmother’s vision for her family when she first escaped China.
Find this book in: Family Sagas / Best Contemporary Fiction
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
July 2023 Read With Jenna Book Club Pick
Minh, Ann’s grandmother, has died leaving her home to Ann and her mother, right during a time when Ann’s life is in upheaval. She just found out her long-term boyfriend is cheating on her and she’s now pregnant with his baby.
Traveling back to Florida to see the Banyan Tree house, Ann also has a chance to reconnect with her estranged mother, Huơng or sever the tie to her roots completely.
I loved Ann’s journey to self-discovery and the flashbacks that told Minh’s life story and how she immigrated from Vietnam. My only caveat is that the ending wasn’t all I wanted it to be. It was good but left time wanting more from this family sage.
The Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo
August 2023 Good Morning America Book Club Pick
This is the first adult book from National Book Award Winner Elizabeth Acevedo, whose YA novels we devour. #gifted
It’s about the women in a Domenican-American family, their special gifts, and the bonds they share with each other. It starts off with Flor, who has the ability to know the date of people’s death, informing everyone that she wants a living wake.
As her family grapples with what that means, Acevedo explores each woman’s special gift and how it has impacted their lives.
I was fascinated by the magical realism elements of the story, but it was the depth of the characters that drew me in. Rich in culture and exquisitely written, this family saga wove a magical realism story I never wanted to end.
Pachinko
Author: Min Jin Lee
Year: 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st Century, National Book Award Finalist
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range:16+
Plot
This family saga book is an epic tale of a family through the generations from 1910-1989. I absolutely adored the first half of the book. I felt like I knew each of the characters so well. I rooted for them and loved them.Â
From Korea to Japan, this is an epic historical fiction novel that begins when Sunja, the daughter of a fisherman, has an affair with a wealthy stranger. She finds out he is married and she is pregnant with his child. When she decides to reject her son’s father, it begins a saga that is an unputdownable read.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Suicide
Why Jackie loves it
Even though the book was close to 500 pages, I felt like the second half of the book was rushed. This is a rare occasion in which I wish there was more to the book, particularly the ending. I wanted to know more about the later characters so I could relate to the characters as I did at the beginning.
Find this book in: Books Set in the 80s / Books by Female BIPOC Authors / Family Sagas
The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai
This book is a sweeping family saga that tells the multigenerational tale of the Tran family. The author is a Vietnamese poet which is obvious by the beautiful writing.Â
Trần Diệu Lan was forced to flee her family farm with her six children during the Communist land reform. Hà Nội, her granddaughter, is raised by her grandmother in the Vietnam war. This is a beautiful story of love, family, loyalty, and survival, and was a beautiful book to listen to. This family saga is such a great pick for book clubs because there is so much to talk about.
Classic Family Sagas
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
January 2004 Oprah Book Club Pick
This multi-generational family saga is about the Buendiá family and their hometown, the magical Maconda. It’s a comedy, a tragedy, and it looks at the rise and fall of the town’s founding family.
For the record, I read this book BEFORE Oprah picked it! We spent a semester learning about this family saga in high school. Each person was assigned a symbol to report on throughout the book each week.
Mine was goldfish -part of the symbolism of amnesia and the duality between amnesia and nostalgia. Yep. I still remember the lesson. Maybe the teaching contributed, but this remains one of my favorite books ever.
Find this book in Kirsten’s Favorites / Magical Realism Books / Classic Books
Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley
Although I read this family saga decades ago, it has stayed with me for all that time. It is the story of Kunta Kinte who is captured from his home, put on a boat, and sold into slavery. The story follows many generations of the family.
This Pulitzer Prize-winning book is a powerful and unforgettable saga based on the author’s family. Alex Haley has traced his family roots back 200 years to tell the story of Kunta Kinte and 25,000,000 other Americans. This amazing and heart-breaking book is a must-read.
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Marion and Shiva Stone are twin brothers who are born secretly to a nun and a surgeon. They are orphaned when their mother dies and their father disappears.
This sweeping family saga is set over three decades from Ethiopia to America as Ethiopia is on the brink of a revolution. This is another epic family saga that is not to be missed.
Family Sagas Set in America
Plot
This family saga is told in multiple timelines about multiple mothers. It opens with Lila’s funeral in the present and her daughter, Grace’s reaction to it. But from there it flashes back to Lila’s childhood focusing on how her own mother was committed to an asylum in 196o by her father.
Against all odds, Lila rose to the top of her field prioritizing her job over her children, ignoring that Grace desperately missed her while she was off at White House correspondent dinners. She resented her so much, that she wrote a bestselling book based on Lila. Now Grace’s guilt over her actions in the years and the strain of her relationship has her looking back and pondering if you can ever know yourself without knowing the women who shaped you.
Trigger Warnings
Domestic Abuse
Why Kirsten loves it
From the nonlinear narrative to the deep dive into the intergenerational cycle of abuse and abandonment, this story had a lot of elements that just clicked for me. I was swept into the hunt for Zelda, weaving my fantasies about what had become of her.
I felt like Grace and Lila were deeply flawed in a wonderfully complex way that had me cringing and cheering them on in equal measure. I also adored Ruth, Clara, and Joe and the growth of each of the characters throughout this novel. I’ll be thinking about it for years to come. #gifted by PRH Audio
Find this book in: Family Saga Books / Summary of Like Mother, Like Mother / Best New Fiction Books of 2024 / Giftable Books / The Best Books of 2024 / Best Books for Book Club
Malas
Author: Marcela Fuentes
Year: 2024
Genre: Literary Fiction
More info: June 2024 Good Morning America Book Club Pick
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Laid out as a dual-timeline story, this novel tells the tale of Pilar and Lulu, weaving their story together marvelously. In 1951 Pilar is told by a stranger that her husband is already married, changing the course of her marriage forever. In the present day, Lulu is getting ready for her quinceañera but with her grandmother recently deceased and her father a mess, she doesn’t know who to turn to for help.
Soon, Lulu strikes up an unlikely friendship with Pilar. As Lulu struggles to find her way into adulthood and navigate her strict dad’s rules, Pilar willingly shares her wisdom and helps guide her into womanhood.
Trigger Warnings
Child death, Alcoholism
Why Kirsten likes it
I was eager to pick up this story because I’m often drawn to character-driven stories. I enjoyed learning about the culture and norms around a quinceañera, a 15th birthday party popular in the Latino community to mark the coming-of-age milestone. I was also swept into the intergenerational trauma that makes books like this sing. If you enjoy a family saga, this is a great pick!
Find this book in: Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Family Sagas
Plot
In Mercury, PA the Joseph brothers and their roofing business are known to all. When a body is found in the attic of the local church when the roof needs repair, a mystery is unleashed, and a family saga unfolds.
A decade prior, Marley West came into town with her mother and fell in love with the Joseph brothers. She dated one, married one, and helped raise another. She becomes a defactor mother figure to the whole family.
As the mystery of who is in the attic unravels, the story bounces back and forth in time while revealing the secrets and hidden motivations of Marley and the Joseph family.
Trigger Warnings
Miscarriage
Why Kirsten loves it
It’s a character analysis more than a mystery, a slow-burn of a story more than a high-stakes thriller. I was utterly enthralled. I think it’s the first contender of the year for the best books of 2024 list.
Find this book in: Family Sagas / Best Fiction of 2024 / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read / The Best Books of 2024
Plot
I picked up this book based on the cover and the thoughts of the hula dance competition, but instead of the fun read I was expecting, I got a coming-of-age story about a light-skinned Hawaiian trying to prove she belongs by learning to Hula.
But this Hula isn’t just a dance, it keeps the legends and legacies of the Hawaiian culture alive. Sprinkled throughout this story, while Hi’i is fighting to prove her worth, we see glimpses of her mother and grandmother’s lives and vignettes that explain Hawaii’s history, colonization, and the struggle of native Hawaiians today.
Why Kirsten loves it
There is so much to uncover in this book, so many layers to absorb. I was entertained while reading it, but more importantly, I learned so much. I’ll be raving about this for years to come!
Find this book in: Thought-provoking Books / Beach Reads 2023 / Best Books 2023 / Best Female BIPOC Author / Family Saga / Best Beach Reads of All Time / Coming-of-age Books for Adults
Beyond that, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash
I’ve read a lot of books about WWII but not as many books about what it was like after the war. This particular story is about Bea, an 11-year-old sent to America during the bombings in London. She assimilates into an American family with two sons during the war years, only to be wrenched away at the end of the war.
Her time in America forever changes Bea, and she struggles to reconnect to her home country and her family. As she grows up, her American family is never far from her heart.
Why I liked it: I loved how she merged her two families throughout her life. While often sad at times, it was truly a lovely tale.
Find this book in Beach Reads 2023 / Family Sagas / Seaside Books
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
Wow. This is one of those rare books that really has it all. It was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize as well as the National Book Award and definitely lives up to its hype. It is a beautifully written, powerful, and poignant family saga about the AIDS epidemic in Chicago in the 1980s and its aftermath 30 years later.Â
Yale Tishman is the development director of an art gallery who is about to bring in an extraordinary collection of art from the 1920s. He has just lost his friend Nico and is losing friends all around him. Fast forward to 2015 when Nico’s little sister is in Paris searching for her daughter who disappeared with a cult three years earlier. I cannot say enough about this book.
American Pop by Snowden Wright
A family saga told about 3 generations of soft-drinks heirs that had heart and glamour. I loved learning about the rise and fall of the Panola Cola company and the dynasty it produced. It’s hard to choose a favorite Forster but it was probably Harold’s tale that I liked the most, followed closely by Ramsey. I loved the made-up family interacting with real-world figures. I just really enjoyed this read. It would be great for the beach.
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
Lombardo’s debut is a tremendous book about the complicated dynamics and hidden secrets of the Sorenson parents and their 4 daughters.
The story is told alternately in the present day when Jonah reunites with the daughter that gave him up 15 years prior, and the past touches on moments in the Sorenson family history that are coming back to haunt them.
Each character is deliciously flawed in a way that makes you feel like you’ve known them for years. I love that at the heart of the story, the book is about the many forms of love and how to live well. I cannot believe that Claire Lombardo is not a 50 or 60-year-old woman with children of her own.
Haven Point by Virginia Hume
What a wonderful read. I truly can’t explain how much this book swept me away to Haven Point as I learned about four generations of the Demarest family.
This story focuses on the great-grandmother, grandmother (Maren), mother, and daughter (Skye) as they spend their summers in the waspy coastal town. Secrets unfold, loves bloom and fade, and the ties that bond are explored.
A wonderful beach read with heart, I hope you take a chance and get swept away too.
Family Sagas Set in Africa and Asia
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This contemporary fiction book tells the story of Ifemelu and Obinze who are young and in love when they leave war-torn Nigeria. Ifemelu comes to the United States and despite plans to follow her, Obinze cannot come to post-9/11 America. Â
The saga takes place over a 15-year period when Ifemelu and Obinze are reunited in Nigeria. It is intense and deeply emotional. I read this book with a very heavy heart as it seemed like tragedy after tragedy befell these two individuals. This is one of our books about Africa that you must read.
However, with that said, this book is amazingly written and a true work of art. If you are looking for one of the best book club books, this would be your choice.
Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
I do not know why I hesitated to read this family saga book. But I am glad that I waited so I could appreciate every nuance that this book has to offer.
This book is the story of Ana. A woman ahead of her time, Ana is a scribe and can speak many languages. She is also the fictional wife of Jesus Christ and a sister to Judas.
The writing and the storytelling of this book are beautiful and epic. It is a must-read for any historical fiction lover.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
This is another book from Oprah’s original book club that is stayed with me over the years. This is the story of one family’s three decades in the Congo.
Oprah chooses books that are emotional and well-written and this family saga is no exception. Nathan Price is an evangelical Baptist who takes his family on a mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. The novel takes place during the Congo’s fight for independence. This epic family saga is told by Nathan’s Wife and four daughters.
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
November 2001 Oprah Book Club Pick
A Fine Balance is an epic and heartbreaking family saga of life in India. It’s a story of love and friendship in an unnamed city in 1975.
Lovers come together and are ripped apart in this memorable book about poverty and its impact. I read this book years before it was an Oprah Book Club pick but it is not a book that is easy to forget. It is heart-wrenching in every way and a literary feat. If you are looking for books that will emotionally wreck you, this one is not to be missed.
Island of Sea Women
Author: Lisa See
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This historical fiction tells the story of a friendship between two women on the Korean Island of Jeju. There, women work as a diving collective to provide for their families while men look after the children. It was interesting to read a story where some gender norms are reversed and others, like feeding women and children last, were still perpetuated.
Beyond the incredible history of this small island is the story of a remarkable friendship between Mi-ja and Young-sook over the decades.
Why Jackie loves it
Lisa See has done it again with this remarkable story. I was captivated from the first page, as I am with anything See writes.
Find this book in: Best Books 2019 / Family Saga Books / Friendship Books / Best Beach Reads of all Time
Family Saga Books Set in Europe
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
A young girl is abandoned on a ship headed to Australia. When she arrives, the only thing in her possession is a suitcase with some clothes and a book of fairy tales. The dock master and his wife adopt Nell and tell her the story of her arrival in Australia on her 21st birthday. She goes back to England on a quest to find her lost identity.
Unsuccessful, her granddaughter later takes up the search and tried to assemble the pieces of her grandmother’s mystery and unlock the secrets of her past.
Devil’s Bride by Stephanie Laurens
Did you know that romances can be family sagas too? Much like the many Bridgerton siblings, Stephanie Laurens’ Cynster series is all about a large brood of Cynster siblings. Each book is about the love story of a different sibling and then eventually goes on to their children.
The first one is my favorite in the series as Devil has to woo Honoria after being found in a compromising position with her. If I recall, it involved hunkering down in a wooden shack during a storm where a couple out for a stroll found them the next day.
They need to marry, but Honoria wants none of that. Devil proceeds to attempt to convince her in some with some moves that live up to his name. These books are like Bridgerton with a different set of siblings.
Tidelands
Author: Philippa Gregory
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: #1 Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range:
Plot
Philippa Gregory is back with a new non-royal series, this one is actually a book about poverty in Renaissance England. Tidelands is set in 1648 in the midst of the English civil war. The king has been overthrown and the country is in turmoil, but in the marshlands of the South, the villagers are worried about survival.
Alinor is a healer whose services are both respected and feared. She carefully toes the line between a wise woman and a witch as she struggles to feed her family. One fateful night she decides to help a catholic priest to safety without realizing the danger this secret would bring to her family.
Trigger Warnings
Abortion
Why Kirsten loves it
Philippa Gregory’s books are epic and this one is a perfect book for fall. It had everything I needed to whisk me away to another time and place.
Find this book in: The Best Books of 2019 / Best Family Sagas / The Best Fall Books
The Lost Queen
Author: Signe Pike
Year: 2018
Genre: Historical Fantasy
More info: Book 1 of 3 in The Lost Queen
Age Range: 18+
Plot
If you love Outlander, The Mists of Avalon, or The Clan of the Cave Bear, then you will love this pick from royal reads. Set in Britain/ Scotland when Christianity is poised to become the religion of the country, a future queen who swore to the old ways is learning how to balance the needs of her people and her religion with the role she’s expected to play.
Meanwhile, her twin brother is training to be the man history knows as Merlin. The first in a new trilogy about Arthurian legend.
This book is a perfect pick for a list of books like A Discovery of Witches or a list of books like Outlander. If you love books set in Scotland, this book is a must-read.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love historical fiction books and I also love stories about King Arthur. This series is perfect for me especially because it also takes place in Scotland. This is a triple win in my books.
Why Jackie loves it
When I first got this book, I wasn’t sure that I was going to like it. I had a very difficult time reading it since I could not pronounce any of the names. As soon as I started listening to this book, I was immediately drawn into the story. If you love historical fiction or historical fantasy, I would highly suggest listening to this series.
Find this book in: Best Books About Scotland / Books Like A Discovery of Witches / The Best Witch Books / Books like Outlander / Mythology Books
Family Sagas that are Celebrity Book Club Picks
Hello Beautiful
Author: Ann Napolitano
Year: 2023
Genre: Literary Fiction
More info: March 2023 Oprah Book Club Pick
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I adored this family saga about the four Padavano sisters and the man that enters their family orbit. William Waters grew up in a house with indifferent parents, so he fell head over heels for Julia and then her family.
But William’s inner demons cause a rift between the sisters that shakes the family to its core and dramatically changes the dynamics between all the Padavanos. Told over decades, this story examines the ties that bind us to our family through the ebbs and flows of life.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide attempt, Mental illness
Why Kirsten loves it
As one of four children, this coming-of-age story really spoke to me. Napolitano does an incredible job of accurately depicting the individual sibling relationships with one another and the role each person plays within the larger family dynamic. It’s a tall order and a near-impossible challenge to nail the complexities of a big family, but Napolitano does it with aplomb.
Find this book in: Books About Sisters / Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Best Books of 2023 / Family Sagas / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read
Malibu Rising
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Year: 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: June 2021 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick,
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Nina Riva is having her annual summer party which is famous for its epic scale and exclusivity. But this year, the party will end with devastation. Nina and her siblings are famous children of one of the biggest rock stars of all time and they each have their secrets. Perfect for a list of books about music, right?
Why Kirsten loves it
I have loved the last two books by Taylor Jenkins Reid so much that I often recommend them to friends for their universal appeal. I had high hopes for this family saga but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
Why Jackie loves it
I enjoyed the book but I felt that it was a little drawn out at times. Still, I loved Nina’s character and her ability to surf puts her on our list of books about women in sports!
Adaptation Information
The same team that adapted Little Fires Everywhere is set to adapt this book to TV for Hulu. Liz Tigelaar will produce it and Amy Talkington will be the writer.
Find this book in: Books Becoming Movies and TV Series / Taylor Jenkins Reid Books in Order / Books like Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo / Novels About Music / Family Sagas / Hollywood Novels / Books About Women in Sports / Books About Sports
Dava Shastri’s Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti
Good Morning America Book Club December 2021 Pick
I DEVOURED this contemporary fiction story of a billionaire music mogul who releases her death announcement 2 days early so she can read her own end-of-life articles.
The best part was that during the snowstorm that trapped her family with her at the ski chalet, she neglected to tell them about her terminal illness and her harebrained scheme.
We get to see the impact the decision has on her family as well as get a look at her colorful life before her cancer diagnosis. This family saga book about motherhood was so compelling.
The Dutch House
Author: Ann Patchett
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: October 2019 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Ann Patchett has done it again with this tale of sibling devotion that is a testament to the love that holds a family together. Danny and Maeve are victims of an abandoned mother and father who all but ignores them. Danny narrates the story of their lives as it ties into The Dutch House – a storied mansion their father purchased in Elkins Park. The home that is both a blessing and a curse, symbolizes how the mistakes parents make can impact children for a lifetime.
Why Kirsten loves it
I couldn’t put this story down. I did a mix of reading and listening, but ultimately I got swept into Tom Hank’s incredible narration. I was so fully drawn into the story that the world seemed to fall away.
Find this book in: Best Audiobooks / Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Family Sagas / Fall Books / Best Books of 2019
Black Cake
Author: Charmaine Wilkerson
Year: 2022
Genre: Fiction
More info: A Read With Jenna Pick for February 2022
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I absolutely loved this contemporary fiction which is a story about love, family, and acceptance. It captured me from the first page with the story and the writing.
When Eleanor Bennett dies, she leaves a voice recording for her two children Benny and Byron. She wants to tell them things about her life that she could not say when she was alive.
While listening to their mother’s story, Byron and Benny learn about their mother, family, and themselves. They try to piece their relationship back together. The novel looks at everyone’s lives in the present and the past, but in its essence, it is a book about motherhood.
Trigger Warnings
Parental death
Why Kirsten loves it
The story, the writing, and the characters all drew me in from the first page. This is such a well-written pick from the Read with Jenna Book Club.
Why Jackie loves it
This is such a deep look at each sibling’s relationship with their mother and each other. I could not put it down.
Find this book in: Books About Women in Sports / Books About Mothers / BIPOC Female Authors / Books with Color in the Title / Books with Food in the Title / Books About Sports
Family Saga Series
Fall of Giants by Ken Follett
I don’t know what took me so long to listen to this story. It was absolutely captivating and could not stop listening.
This dramatic story about 5 families before and during WWI was incredible. The way Follett has woven all their stories together was dynamic and mesmerizing. The story was a little more battle and politics-focused than most WWI books I have read, but I loved learning new historical information.
This is a story that would be EXCELLENT for the men in your life too. Now if only I could get my husband to read.
Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
Jonathan Franzen is back with this incredible 70s book about a pastor and his family as they navigate who they are in the midst of the tumultuous of the era.
As each character questions their relationship with their family, with god, and with their community at large, they also turn inward and try to remain true to themselves.
The depth of the characters is meticulous, the plot had me flipping the pages (which at 500 or so is saying something.) I can’t recommend this story enough. It’s truly wonderful. If you love 70s historical fiction, this is a perfect pick from our list of books like Daisy Jones and the Six.
Outlander
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Year: 1991
Genre: Historical Fantasy
More info: Outlander Series Book 1 of 9
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This epic story begins in 1945 when Claire Randall and her husband take a second honeymoon to the Scottish Highlands to celebrate being reunited after the war. When Claire touches one of the standing stones, she is transported to 1743.
This is when the real story begins. In order to stay safe as an English woman in Scotland, Clare must depend on Jamie Frasier for protection. Soon Clare finds herself living in a world she has only read about in history books and torn between two men that she loves. In addition to being a brilliant fiction that is rich in historical details, it is an epic love story as well. For me, this is magical realism at its finest.
Trigger Warnings
Rape, sexual assault, sexual violence
Why Kirsten loves it
How do I love Outlander? I cannot count the ways. There is a reason this is one of my favorite books of all time. I am a huge reader of historical fiction and this one checks all the boxes for me. The characters are rich, the plot is complex without being overly complicated and the epic love story make it almost perfect in my eyes.
Why Jackie loves it
Even though I am not a huge historical fiction connoisseur, I could not put this book down. Even at 640 pages, I did not want it to end and immediately picked up the next book in the series. I love the touch of magical realism that transported Clare back in time 200 years and Gabaldon’s story telling made the characters jump off the page.
Find this book in: Best Romance Novels of All Time / Ultimate List of Historical Fiction/ Books Like A Discovery of Witches / Adult Fantasy Romance Books / Magical Realism Books / Best Adult Fantasy Novels
Family Sagas Set in New York
The Immortalists
Author: Chloe Benjamin
Year: 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: A “Best Book of the Year”:Â Washington Post
Instant New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 16+
Plot
What would you do if you knew the day that you were going to die? Would want to know? The four Gold children find out the information that will shape their lives in this amazing family drama book. We follow the Gold children over the next 5 decades. Simon heads to the West Coast, Klara becomes a magician in Las Vegas, Daniel becomes an army doctor, and Varya seeks out the research of immortality.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide, Mental Illness
Why Jackie loves it
This book is beautifully written. Ms. Benjamin does a superb job of creating different voices for each of these characters. They are so vivid and unique.
Why Kirsten loves it
 This family saga book about grief is un-putdownable and stays with you long after you have finished reading the last page.
Find this book in: Family Sagas / Carnival and Circus Books / Books About Mental Illness / Books Set in the 80s
The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz
I want to scream from the rooftops about this family drama set over the course of the lives of the Oppenheimer family. The Oppenheimer triplets have been averse to each other since they were born. On the brink of escaping to the freedom of college, their parents decide to have a fourth child.
Soon secrets are unraveling, choices are called into question, and sibling rivalry reaches a crescendo. This character-driven story is truly marvelous. Perfect for fans of Ann Patchett and Clare Lombardo.
What is a Family Saga?
There are so many amazing books about families but not all family dramas are family sagas as well. What is a family saga? It is a fictional story that closely follows a family or multiple generations of a family throughout their lives. You will get to know these characters intimately by the end of the book. If you are looking for family drama books, head here!
Did you find any family saga books to add to your to-read list?
24 Best Family Drama Books You Will Love
If you love these family saga books, you’ll love these family dramas too.
Dear Jackie,
Your “Beyond the Bookends” website caught my attention because it seems to emphasize family sagas, and I’ve just finished one. It’s about two generations of a Jewish-American immigrant family from 1912 to the mid-1960s. Although the protagonis.t, Mordecai (Mort) Stein, is male, there are as many women in the novel as men. “The Steins: Portrait of a Jewish-American Family” runs 345 pp. or 102K words. I’d be happy to send you a synopsis and/or a sample.
I’m just starting to look for a publisher and would very much appreciate any suggestions you might have. I’ve published one novel (“Silverman, the Soldier,” Pocol Press, 2023) and a book of historical plays (American Glimpses, KDP, 2020).
Thanks in advance,
Milton Cohen
mcohen@utdallas.edu
Hi. Thank you for the message. We do not suggestions for publishers. Sorry. Good luck with your novel.