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Epic Novels worth reading?

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
21,520
7,069
Colorado
I'm looking for some new fiction reading for when I am not reading my CFA books and research. The last few epic novels I have read were the Dark Tower (Stephen King), The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (and the Hobbit), and If you count it, the entire Tom Clancey series up until Rainbow 6.

I like the huge series (multiple books) because of the extensive character development.

Can anyone think of a good epic novel series that falls within the range of the ones noted above?
 

stevew

resident influencer
Sep 21, 2001
40,494
9,524
george rr martin song of fire and ice series.....written by a fat hobbit looking guy.

like LOTR...but with fvcking and cursing.
 
Jul 28, 2003
657
0
Eat, ME
Isaac Asimov's Foundation series is fun. I'd also recommend Yulio Mishima's Sea of Fertility Tetralogy, though it can be a bit of a strenuous read
 

zdubyadubya

Turbo Monkey
Apr 13, 2008
1,273
96
Ellicott City, MD
I really really liked "Ender's Game" and the subsequent sequels (10 I think). By Orson Scott Card. Basically about a genius kid who is raised by the military to be a master strategist.
 

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
21,520
7,069
Colorado
Crime and punishment
Brothers Karamzov
The Idiot


C'mon Berkley boy... read something with a little "value".
I'm reading research and my CFA study materials. I need some thought less reading.
 

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,647
1,116
NORCAL is the hizzle
East of Eden is worth the read for sure, though it's not a series.

Those books about the tattoo'd girl who kicked the fiery hornet nest are pretty fun stuff for thoughtless reading.
 

stevew

resident influencer
Sep 21, 2001
40,494
9,524
read everything you casn find by ross macdonald.

read everything you can find by raymond chandler.
 

Banshee Rider

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2003
1,452
10
Those books about the tattoo'd girl who kicked the fiery hornet nest are pretty fun stuff for thoughtless reading.
I just finished them. As someone who was never into reading before I picked up the first book, I thought they were really captivating. I was bummed there wasn't a fourth edition.
 

-BB-

I broke all the rules, but somehow still became mo
Sep 6, 2001
4,254
28
Livin it up in the O.C.
Seriously though...
how bout:

Battlefield Earth - L Ron Hubbard (I still shudder when I hear this name, but a good book series)

Foundation Series - Isaac Asimov
 

-BB-

I broke all the rules, but somehow still became mo
Sep 6, 2001
4,254
28
Livin it up in the O.C.
Not a series, but still good:

Life of Pi

The Master and Margarita

Both of these are good reading, but also have underlying philisophical and religous undertones.... Not "thumper" type of course, but more in a critical or non-denominational way.
 

Pesqueeb

bicycle in airplane hangar
Feb 2, 2007
40,145
16,538
Riding the baggage carousel.
Harry Potter. No really. I've read them all, and they were actually good.

also, read any lovecraft?
george rr martin song of fire and ice series.....written by a fat hobbit looking guy.

like LOTR...but with fvcking and cursing.
Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" series. 13 books out with the last book due early next year. If you like extensive character development then this is for you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wheel_of_Time
:stupid:

All "epic" by any definition. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of these. Great fun reads without strianing your brain. Although Jordan was really testing my patience, Wheel of Time is good, but 14 books? Crimeny. To anyone who likes these books I highly recommend the "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn" series by Tad Williams, and if you can find them ( I beleive they are out of print), The "loremasters of elundium"(sp?)series by Micheal Jefferies.
 

Bicyclist

Turbo Monkey
Apr 4, 2004
10,152
2
SB
Shadow of the Wind
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay

Not exactly "epic" but good for character development and intricate storytelling while being readable.
 

bean

Turbo Monkey
Feb 16, 2004
1,335
0
Boulder
Shogun - one of my favorites of what I read last year.
Harry Potter - I'll second it.
The Hornblower series - One of my all time favorites.
Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian - another good seafaring epic.
Flashman series by George MacDonald Frasier - a fun historical series.

I've hear the Golden Compass series is pretty good, and it's on my list.
 

denjen

Certified Lift Whore
Sep 16, 2001
1,691
36
Richmond VA
:stupid:

All "epic" by any definition. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of these. Great fun reads without strianing your brain. Although Jordan was really testing my patience, Wheel of Time is good, but 14 books? Crimeny. To anyone who likes these books I highly recommend the "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn" series by Tad Williams, and if you can find them ( I beleive they are out of print), The "loremasters of elundium"(sp?)series by Micheal Jefferies.
I agree 100% about Wheel of time being a little long. I read the first 8 about 10 years ago and stoped to wait till the sries was done. I"ve reread through #9 this time and stalled out. It could have shortened it down to 8 or 9 total books with some good editing.
 

MikeD

Leader and Demogogue of the Ridemonkey Satinists
Oct 26, 2001
11,669
1,713
chez moi
Blood Meridian or the evening redness in the west - Cormac MacCarthy
the Great and Secret Show, Imajica and Everville by Clive Barker
Blood Meridian is the most tedious ****ing book on the planet, and that's coming from a dude who loves history, gunfights, and vivid writing.





Not epic, but two books that blew my mind: Children of God and The Sparrow. Realistic-ish sci-fi with mega-themes; Jesuits in Space.


Maybe the Neuromancer trilogy by William Gibson?

MD