Books which one can’t put down, but how to cope with the ‘emptiness’

At the end of The Forsyte Saga series by John Galsworthy. Soames dies and I actually shed a tear. The characters had become part of my life! Same when Rabbit (Harry Angstrom) dies at the end of John Updike’s Rabbit books.
I love a flawed protagonist.

Goldieoldie15

The Cazalets - 5 volumes -
Elizabeth Jane Howard. Unputtable. Wonderful stories and exquisite writing.

Yes I did enjoy them, but weirdly I read the authors life story, and she had quite obviously based the cazalets on that, which somehow lessoned them for me.

But they are still good.

MaizieD

MayBee70

A Thousand Splendid Suns wasn’t an easy read but it was one of those books that made me want to suffer from amnesia so I could read it again for the first time.

I couldn't bear to read it again, it was so harrowing. I even gave away my copy.

I find most fiction unputdownable because I'm always dying to know what happens in the end

So agree. It was utterly gripping but utterly harrowing, and I will never re-read it.

The Cazalets - 5 volumes -
Elizabeth Jane Howard. Unputtable. Wonderful stories and exquisite writing.

The Stand by Stephen King; was unable to put it down.
Also The Far Pavilions by M K Kaye; I love all of her books, mostly set in colonial India; this one starts with the Indian mutiny, and is the love story of a British army officer and an Indian princess who first meet in childhood.

Mollygo I read The King Must Die and followed it immediately with The Bull from the Sea, which takes that story forward. It is an exquisite and tragic love story that you can’t fail to be moved by.

grannybuy I agree with you about A Little Life, I enjoyed it too - it was both wonderful but harrowing.
I'm another huge fan of Still Life by Sarah Winman. I've read it 3 times and really do miss the characters
each time I finish the book. Years ago I read The Good Companions
by JB Priestly and felt exactly the same way about the characters in
that book too. I always hoped for an update on their lives as I felt so involved with them! It makes me sound a bit strange but I do love a book with a strong "cast" of characters.

A Little Life - by Hanya Hanugihara

It seems strange to say I that enjoyed it, as it was harrowing, and I don’t know if I could read it again, but I never once considered giving up on it.

‘A rip through time’ Kelley Armstrong. Found her by chance a week or so back. I’m usually a slow reader but am now on book 4 and book 5 doesn’t come out till May! They are exciting, funny, macabre with great characters.

It’s a timeslip but 99% is in Victorian Edinburgh.

She is as good a writer as Elly Griffiths imo.

Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim. Such a lovely read.

I’m reading The Dark is Rising. Have been reading children’s fantasy literature as an escape from the horrors of the current news. I was reading up on Mark Twain today and had resolved to read some of his books ( A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court is one of my favourite films).I was surprised to read that, although he was anti imperialism, pro emancipation for women and against slavery, he loathed the Native Americans which has turned me against him somewhat.

I agree Romola , Still life is a beautiful book. It took me a while to get into something else because I wanted more time with all the characters , particularly the parrot! Another is
A terrible kindness Jo Browning Wroe . A book club choice that I almost refused to read because it began with a traumatic historic event of the 1960’s . I would have missed a beautiful life affirming book .

I've recently been re reading some childrens classics, Treaure Island, Robinson Crusoe, Gullivers travels, as a change ftom.more serious novels. I recently read Huckleberry Finn which was darker than expected, but now I've started with more serious novels again, I've nearly finished Wuthering Heights. As I come to the end of a book I always try to have the next one planned, to look forward to.

I must find the Abraham Verghese book as I swear Cutting for Stone is my favourite book ever after A Thousand Splendid Suns and Kite Runner.

Most recently, Still Life by Sarah Winman

It's about people finding happiness.

Dragonfly 46
I’ve just read that, I love Evie’s books.

I have a TBR pile so as soon as I finish one I’m on to the next. I’m guilty of getting so engrossed in a book that I’ve stayed up until I’ve finished it…..thats when I know its a good one.

The King Must Die by Mary Renault-made me want to read it again. I wonder if Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix will have the same effect. I’m gripped so far.

Chocolatelovinggran

I'm with Maybee- A Thousand Splendid Suns, and The Kite Runner were so powerful that I felt sad that I had left the characters behind when I closed the books.

I found those incredible and moving too.

Also Any Human Heart.. in fact any William Boyd

I also like any of the biographies of the Monks and Nuns who managed to escape Tibet

‘The Bronze Horseman’ by Paulina Simmons. Got to to the end then went straight back to the beginning and read it again!

'The City and it's Uncertain Walls' the latest Murakami novel, brilliant, best yet!

I just start reading another one straight away. Eventually I will start a book that I don't particularly get i to at all and that slows me down a bit. I refuse to give up on reading something I've started. Just recently I've treat myself to some childhood favourites Enid Blyton and Noel Streatfield and they can help me recover from a book I've struggled with. I've also joined a Book Club and the first two books I struggled with but I did finish them.

Absolutely loved A Thousand Splendid Suns. Not my usual read, but I found it impossible to put down.

With all Elif Shafak's book I had this feeling of emptiness. She takes me to worlds I will never experience irl. I like to alternate more gritty books with lighthearted ones. Can you believe I'm a Granny but have only just started reading Terry Pratchett's books. At bedtime, I try to just read only one chapter at a time so that they last longer ... silly I know.

surfsup

Many, many years ago when I was about 20 I was bereft when I finished Forever Amber.

Me too. I loved that book