"Mississippi Blood" and the entire Natchez Burning trilogy have been called "an American epic". What makes a novel or group of novels "epic," and what other books would you include in this group?
What makes a novel or group of novels "...
Created: 06/17/18
Replies: 15
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Join Date: 10/15/10
Posts: 3442
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Join Date: 08/01/16
Posts: 70
To me an epic novel is one that contains a great amount of history and delves into topics which are important to all of us as a society. Greg Isles trilogy accomplishes this. At times I was uncomfortable being faced with the facts of bigotry in the South but this is what a great author does. He/She forces the reader to come to terms with the past. I believe that Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" and "Cold Mountain" by Charles Frazier would also be considered epic
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Join Date: 06/19/12
Posts: 408
To me, epics are big stories, treating big issues over a span of time. Herman Wouk's Winds of War/War and Remembrance qualify, as does Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth series and John Jakes' Kent Family Chronicles. On a fantasy level, the Harry Potter books, which are something of a morality play, also qualify. The Iles' Mississippi Blood books fit the definition as well.
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Join Date: 06/19/12
Posts: 408
To me, epics are big stories, treating big issues over a span of time. Herman Wouk's Winds of War/War and Remembrance qualify, as does Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth series and John Jakes' Kent Family Chronicles. On a fantasy level, the Harry Potter books, which are something of a morality play, also qualify. The Iles' Mississippi Blood books fit the definition as well.
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Join Date: 07/28/11
Posts: 436
I think epic novels combine a bit of history with fiction to make it a well remembered novel. It is a story that will be remembered and discussed for years. To Kill a Mockingbird is another epic novel.
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Join Date: 08/11/16
Posts: 27
What makes a novel epic is a great story line that is believable and one that I can relate too. Also historical facts are important so I am learning something while I read. There are so many epic novels and groups of novels. The Kingsbridge series, The Century Trilogy, the Millennium Series, and so many more.
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Join Date: 06/22/11
Posts: 41
This trilogy is epic because it presents an important theme that is timeless and important: race relations throughout history. This story takes place in the United States, the south, throughout much of the 20th century. The story has evolved but has also stayed the same. This trilogy tells an entertaining story, very well written, and full of suspense. It would be more popular if it were shorter, but it sticks to the theme throughout.
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Join Date: 10/15/14
Posts: 363
Epic novels have to loosely mimic their precursor, the epic poem which originated hundreds of years ago with tales like Beowulf. As such, they demand grand themes, an heroic vision, and a strong heroic protagonist - someone who is almost of national heroic stature. Tolstoy's War and Peace clearly fills the bill. I agree with titles most others have submitted and will add the Lord of the Ring's Trilogy.
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Join Date: 01/25/16
Posts: 185
I would agree that an epic novel or series covers a vast scope on an important theme, with strong protagonists. Titles mentioned above all seem to fit that definition. I would add James Michener's books, as well as Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.
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Join Date: 06/26/18
Posts: 32
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Join Date: 11/14/11
Posts: 160
I would describe Mississippi Blood and the other Penn books more as sagas rather than epic. Epic is the Aeneid, A Song of Ice & Fire, Iliad, King Arthur....a great hero that overcomes great challenges on a grand scale, a tale that transcends time....
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Join Date: 04/23/12
Posts: 182
For me I think it has to have a lot of historical research along with a good story. It has to be a novel or series that makes you think, research some more and be entertaining. Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth and Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series do this for me. It needs to make you feel that you are there in the story.
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Join Date: 04/07/12
Posts: 265
To me, epic means a story that is timeless and takes place over a long period of time. I don’t think of this series as epic; yes, maybe a saga as someone else suggested. The Iliad, The Aeniad, the Lord of the Rings - I would consider these epic.
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Join Date: 04/29/11
Posts: 26
I agree with Vivianh. According to Mirriam-Webster “a long narrative poem in elevated style recounting the deeds of a legendary or historical hero.” A saga would be a better description of the Iles’ trio.
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Join Date: 05/29/15
Posts: 460
Epic or saga, which ever it is, has become one of my favorite series. Gone With The Wind was undeniably epic as were many of the books listed prior to me. I think epic as being something big, historically interesting and unforgettable.
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Join Date: 01/13/18
Posts: 226
I have always thought of an epic novel as standing the test of time. There are many books by Southern writers that fall into this: Thomas Wolfe, Robert Penn Warren, Harper Lee, Carson McCullers, William Faulkner, Margaret Mitchell, Truman Capote (his Southern novels and short stories), Flannery O’Connor, etc. I’m not sure that over time Greg Iles novels will fall into this group.
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