Novels that will stir you – part 2

Following on from my previous blog post, I’ve prepared a list of 4 novels that I think will stir you in some way. All of them have either moved me or taken me to places far away. I hope that one of these piques your interest. You can make a note and get a copy when you have the time to read.

Any Human Heart – William Boyd

"Any Human Heart" follows the life of a fictional character named Logan Mountstuart, who is born in Uruguay in 1906 and lives through some of the most significant events of the 20th century, including World War I, World War II, and the Cold War.

The story is told through Logan's personal diaries, which he has kept throughout his life, and covers his relationships with various historical figures such as Ernest Hemingway, Ian Fleming, and Virginia Woolf. It also details his career as a writer, his romantic relationships, and his personal struggles with love, loss, and aging.

The novel is divided into four sections, each representing a different phase of Logan's life: youth, middle age, maturity, and old age. The book explores themes such as love, death, art, literature, and the human condition.

"Any Human Heart" has been praised for its depth of character and historical detail, as well as for its unique structure and format. The book was adapted into a television series in 2010, starring Jim Broadbent as Logan Mountstuart.

The Secret History – Donna Tartt

"The Secret History" follows a group of students at a small liberal arts college in Vermont, studying under a charismatic and unconventional classics professor named Julian Morrow. The group becomes deeply immersed in the study of ancient Greek, and their studies ultimately lead to a murder.

The novel is narrated by one of the students, Richard Papen, who becomes a part of the group and witnesses their gradual descent into darkness. The story explores themes such as morality, guilt, elitism, and the consequences of obsessive behavior. It is also known for its complex characters, intricate plotting, and rich language.

"The Secret History" has been widely praised for its vivid portrayal of college life and its exploration of the psychological motivations behind criminal behavior. The book became a bestseller and has been translated into several languages. It also won the prestigious Prix de la Page 112 award in France.

Donna Tartt has since become a highly acclaimed author, and "The Secret History" is widely regarded as one of the best debut novels of the 20th century. 

And The Mountains Echoed – Khaled Hosseini

"And The Mountains Echoed" is is set in Afghanistan and spans several decades, exploring the lives of multiple characters who are interconnected through a complex web of relationships.

The novel begins with the story of a brother and sister, Abdullah and Pari, who are separated when their father sells Pari to a wealthy couple in Kabul. The book then follows the lives of these characters and their families, as well as the lives of other individuals who are affected by their actions and decisions.

The novel explores themes such as family, loss, sacrifice, and the search for identity. It is also known for its vivid portrayal of Afghan culture and society, as well as for its poetic language and complex narrative structure.

"And The Mountains Echoed" was a critical and commercial success, becoming a bestseller and receiving numerous accolades. The book has been translated into over 40 languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide. 

A Month in the Country – J. L. Carr

A novella, rather than a novel, "A Month in the Country" is a story set in rural England in the summer of 1920 and follows the life of Tom Birkin, a World War I veteran who has been hired to restore a medieval mural in a village church.

The novella is narrated by Birkin and explores his experiences during his time in the village, as well as his reflections on his life before and after the war. As he works on the mural, Birkin becomes deeply immersed in the history and culture of the village, and forms relationships with several of its inhabitants.

The story explores themes such as the impact of war on individuals and society, the nature of art and creativity, and the healing power of nature. It is known for its understated yet powerful prose, as well as for its evocative portrayal of the English countryside.

"A Month in the Country" was a critical and commercial success, winning the Guardian Fiction Prize and being shortlisted for the Booker Prize. The book has since become a modern classic. It is widely regarded as one of J.L. Carr's most accomplished works.