Books matching: multi generational narrative
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- #1
Crooked Hallelujah by Kelli Jo Ford is a multi-generational novel that follows the lives of Cherokee women in Oklahoma and Texas. The narrative unfolds through the challenges faced by characters like Justine and Reney, exploring themes of family, faith, and overcoming hardships. The book delves into the complexities of relationships within a family of strong women, showcasing their struggles and triumphs over the years.
The storytelling in Crooked Hallelujah is structured as a series of short stories arranged in chronological order, allowing the reader to intimately connect with various characters at different stages of their lives. Through beautifully written prose, the author paints a vivid picture of the characters' lives and the deep, complex relationships they navigate, offering a poignant exploration of themes like resilience and the impact of heritage on identity.
- #2
'Hanta Yo: An American Saga' by Ruth Beebe Hill is a fictionalized, multi-generational story of a Lakota Sioux family that offers a glimpse into Sioux life up to the 1830s. The author, who lived with a Sioux tribe to learn their language and customs, wrote the novel in their native language and then translated it into English, creating a powerful and fascinating narrative that transports readers to the spiritual and moral lives of the Dakota people.
The book delves deep into Native American culture, providing a social and anthropological insight into the Lakota people's history from their first encounter with Europeans to the capture of their land and property. With a mix of historical facts and moving storytelling, 'Hanta Yo' offers a rich and empathetic portrayal of a culture now lost, leaving readers with a sense of respect and empathy for The People and their way of life.
- #3
TransAtlantic by Colm McCann is a novel that weaves together the Irish and American experiences across generations. It is divided into three sections, each focusing on historical events such as Frederick Douglas' visit to Ireland, Alcock and Brown's transatlantic flight, and George Mitchell's peace efforts in Northern Ireland. The story follows a maternal line through five generations, connecting historical characters with fictional ones, exploring themes of identity, family, and history. The writing style is described as lyrical, poignant, and thought-provoking, with short rhythmic sentences that draw readers into the elaborate tale.
IT WAS A MODIFIED BOMBER. A VICKERS VIMY. ALL WOOD AND LINEN and wire. She was wide and lumbering, but Alcock still thought her a nippy little thing. He patted her each time he climbed onboard and sli... - #4
Set largely in China, readers become acquainted with the families of Sparrow and Kai at the Shanghai Conservatory in the 1960s, pulling the narrative forward from the Communist Revolution to the demonstrations at Tiananmen Square and even providing updates after that event. The book shows a relationship between mathematics and music. As a genealogist, I was particularly drawn to the mentions of the Book of Records. As a musician, I was drawn to the rest of the story. The writing was strong. A more in depth knowledge of twentieth century Chinese history would make the work more enjoyable than it already was. The book was well deserving of its shortlisting for the Man Booker Prize. Thien's magnum opus reminded me of The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes, a fictionalized biography of Shostakovich trying to survive under the thumb of Stalin. Thien's book is an ambitious, multi generational, multi layered story, beginning in Vancouver but focusing on the cultural revolution in China. Thien's quiet writing belies the emotional depth of a story that describes people trying to endure and retain their human spirit through their love of music and art. It is advisable to pay attention because, although brilliant, this is not an easy read that has many characters and a lot happening with the risk of significant ramifications. By the time I reached the events at Tiananmen Square I was completely hooked. I wish I had known more about Chinese history and government before I started. This is a novel of epic scope and ambition, a complex family story that starts in the China of the 1950s and ends in the present day. The pivotal events are the Cultural Revolution, and specifically the destruction of the Shanghai Conservatory and the denunciations of the musicians there, and the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and their violent aftermath. There are also many other themes largely musical but also some intriguing digressions on Chinese writing and mathematics. Thien's characters are memorable and I found the book compulsively readable and moving. For most of the book I thought this was one of the best books I had read all year, but later I felt a little let down, firstly because of a glaring factual error in which she claims that Bach and Busoni were born 300 years apart the true figure is no more than 181 and also because the story lost a little impetus and clarity of focus towards the end. I still think it is the best book on the Booker shortlist and would make a worthy winner. This is a wonderful written family saga of recent Chinese history with a lovely focus on music, epic novels and love. A young man watches China transform after a brutal civil war, falls in love with western music, endures the Cultural Revolution and throughout the events leading up the Tienanmen Square massacre. Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeline Thien is a multi generational novel about the Chinese Cultural Revolution and afterwards that puts all other multi generational novels to shame. It's really good, combining wonderful and vibrant character studies with excellent writing and story structure. Thien deserves all the praise she's received for this book. Marie is a girl living Vancouver, Canada, with her mother, her father having returned to China and committed suicide, when they are joined by Ai ming, a college student fleeing China in the aftermath of Tiananmen Square. She leaves them to go to the US in hopes of being granted asylum and Marie never sees her again. In adulthood, Marie undertakes a search for Ai ming, who may have returned to China. As her search goes on, the story is told of how Ai ming and Marie's family were connected and goes further back to the story of Ai ming's parents and grandparents, as they survive WWII, Mao's reign as dictator and on into the turmoil of Tiananmen Square. It's a lot of history, and a quantity of characters, but Thien juggles the storylines adeptly and makes each character from Big Mother Knife to Marie herself, vivid and complex. This is a novel well worth reading. Also, it's a page turner.
IN A SINGLE YEAR, my father left us twice. The first time, to end his marriage, and the second, when he took his own life. That year, 1989, my mother flew to Hong Kong and laid my father to rest in a ... - #5
Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros is a multi-generational novel that follows the Reyes family, blending real and fictional vignettes to tell the story of Celaya Lala Reyes and her Mexican American heritage. The book spans different time periods and locations, from Chicago to Mexico City, exploring themes of family, identity, and cultural traditions through the eyes of a young narrator.
Here are the Acapulco waters lapping just behind us, and here we are sitting on the lip of land and water. The little kids, Lolo and Memo, making devil horns behind each other’s heads; the Awful Grand... - #6
'The Historian' by Elizabeth Kostova is a novel that weaves together the legend of Dracula with a multi-generational story of a man and his daughter on a quest to find their missing wife and mother. The book offers a mix of thriller and historical fiction, delving into medieval history, Vlad the Impaler's life, and Cold War Europe. The narrative spans across different locations in Southern Europe, the Balkans, and Turkey, providing a rich and detailed travelogue that keeps the reader engaged.
The writing style of 'The Historian' is described as meticulous and descriptive, evoking a strong sense of atmosphere and setting, particularly in its detailed descriptions of places and historical events. The novel involves multiple narrators and points of view, adding complexity to the story and creating a sense of suspense and mystery. Despite some slow parts and occasional challenges with suspension of disbelief, the book offers a unique take on the vampire genre, blending elements of history, folklore, and literary fiction.
In 1972 I was sixteen—young, my father said, to be traveling with him on his diplomatic missions. He preferred to know that I was sitting attentively in class at the International School of Amsterdam;... - #7
Celestial Harmonies by Peter Esterhazy is an epic novel that delves into Hungarian history and the Esterhazy family lineage. The book is divided into two parts, with the first half focusing on generations of Esterhazy men through short vignettes that blend fact and fable. The narrative style is described as jumbled, non-chronological, and filled with descriptive skills and humor, turning what could be chaotic storytelling into an inspired read. The second half shifts to a more straightforward biographical account of Esterhazy's own life and the challenges faced by his family after the fall of the Hungarian empire.
The novel is praised for its ambitious scope, historical depth, and the author's ability to capture the eccentricities of his predecessors and his personal upbringing. Esterhazy's writing style is noted for its complexity, wit, and allusive nature, drawing inspiration from various literary sources. Despite its challenging nature, Celestial Harmonies offers a rewarding and immersive reading experience, providing insights into Hungarian society, history, and the continuity of the past and present.
- #8
"Flesh and Blood" by Michael Cunningham is a multi-generational family saga that follows the Stassos family from 1939 to 1995. The story revolves around Constantine, a Greek immigrant father, his Italian wife Mary, and their three children - Billy, Susan, and Zoe. The narrative is told through revolving characters, each offering a unique perspective on the family's struggles, relationships, and personal growth over the decades. The writing style is richly descriptive and poetic, capturing the intricacies of family dynamics and the complexities of human emotions.
1935/ Constantine, eight years old, was working in his father’s garden and thinking about his own garden, a square of powdered granite he had staked out and combed into rows at the top of his family’s... - #9
The Road Home is a generational saga that follows the Northridge family of Nebraska over three generations, exploring themes of stoic loss, intermittent happiness, and a profound connection to the natural world. The book delves into the lives of various family members, including the tough old patriarch John Northridge, his son Paul, granddaughter Dalva, and great-grandson Nelse, each narrating their experiences and relationships through journals. Set against the backdrop of the Great Plains, the characters navigate their complex family dynamics, personal struggles, and deep-rooted love for nature, horses, dogs, and birds. The writing style, characterized by raw beauty and devastating honesty, provides a vivid sense of place and a compelling exploration of themes such as cultural tensions, art, poetry, and the purpose of existence.
It is easy to forget that in the main we die only seven times more slowly than our dogs. The simplicity of this law of proportion came to me early in life, growing up as I did so remotely that dogs we...
(Also, see 31 recommendations for the series Dalva ) - #10
The novel 'Build Your House Around My Body' by Violet Kupersmith is a slow burn puzzle of a mystery that combines Vietnamese mythology and folklore. The story follows Winnie, an American with a Vietnamese father, as she becomes involved in a complex web of family history, Vietnamese society, magic, and horror. The narrative skillfully weaves together multiple timelines, exploring themes of colonialism, trauma, and revenge against the backdrop of Vietnam. The book is described as a masterful novel with a haunting atmosphere, vivid descriptions of settings, and deeply written female characters.
Something was moving in the shrubs in front of Tan Son Nhat Airport. It was one in the morning, and Winnie had stepped off a plane twenty minutes ago. Her connecting flight had been held up by a summe...