What are your favorite doorstoppers?
Gimme your favorite novels that crack 500 pages or more.
I recently started re-reading The Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett’s epic 900-page historical novel. I first read it over 10 years ago and wanted to revisit the series because the final installment was just published. Diving into its deep waters has reminded me how much I love biggg books — I relish their immersive feel, rich backstories, and long timelines.
You know that rush and sense of satisfaction you get every time you finish a book? That feeling is increased tenfold when you’ve turned the final page of a book that could literally be used as a doorstopper. You also then gain some confidence for tackling any of the intimidating books that have long been on your TBR.
So, readers, in the comments below I want you to share your favorite novels that crack 500 pages or more. Winter is for hibernating, so grab a blanket, a warm beverage, and one of these recommendations.
Oooh, doorstoppers are one of my favorite things! This is so great — thanks for inspiring me to think about these, Jeremy!
'Plain Bad Heroines' by Emily M. Danforth - All the Gothic fun!
'The Historian' by Elizabeth Kostova - Researchers and archivists as action heroes on a big adventure in Europe.
'Jane Eyre' and 'Villette' by Charlotte Brontë
'The Book Thief' by Marcus Zusak - Heartbreak has never been so sweet.
'The Overstory' by Richard Powers - Multi-generational saga set in a special forest.
And my #1 reason for jumping on here to reply: 'Cryptonomicon' by Neal Stephenson, weighing in at 1152 (fantastic) pages. This thing is epic, and I loved it so much. It weaves two timelines — one in WWII, the other in 1990s Silicon Valley — to tell a story of adventure, intrigue, the Enigma code, technology, and the search for lost gold. There are intrigue and double-crosses; bracing battle scenes; the tenderness and frustration of life-long friends; computer science and cryptography and mathematics; jungle adventure; tenderly and humorously wrought romance; and a whiz-bang ending. It's a treat to spend so much time with these characters.
Of course it has to be the classic Lord of the Rings. While I enjoyed the films, the images in my head were much better, and they missed out most of the 'quiet' moments, that gave the story balance. I am in awe of how J.R.R Tolkien conjured up that world.