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There’s a transparent crossover between our editorial crew at Camille Types and our neighborhood of readers: we all love a superb guide—and we’re at all times on the hunt for the subsequent one. It’s no shock, then, that our guide lists are constantly among the many most-read items on the location. (Simply check out our Prime Books of 2025 So Far and Fall Studying Listing for proof.) In any case, there’s nothing fairly like the sensation of being fully transported by a narrative.
However what makes a novel epic? Historically, epics had been sweeping, multi-generational tales or heroic journeys instructed in verse. However for the needs of this record, we’re defining epic novels as books that carry us away—whether or not by means of their size, their world-building, their historic scope, or just the emotional journey they invite us into. Some are true literary doorstoppers, others are deceptively slim, however all share one factor: they stick with you lengthy after you’ve turned the ultimate web page.
Greatest Epic Novels to Learn in Your Lifetime
Our editorial crew has gathered each the classics that outline the style and the novels we return to many times. It is a well-rounded record of epic novels that really stand the take a look at of time—books that may change the best way you see the world, and in our opinion, deserve a spot on each reader’s shelf.
Basic Literary Epics
These are the giants—lengthy, sweeping, traditionally essential works.
Historic Epics
World-changing occasions instructed by means of unforgettable characters.
Sci-Fi and Fantasy Epics
Immersive worlds and sweeping collection that outline the style.
Fashionable Emotional Epics
Massive books that really feel all-consuming—whether or not in scope or emotional journey.
Timeless Epics of the Coronary heart
Not at all times lengthy, however they increase our understanding of affection, household, and humanity.
Tales That Keep With Us
An epic novel isn’t nearly size—it’s about affect. The books on this record span centuries, continents, and genres, however all of them share the ability to completely immerse you, to make you suppose, and to remind you of what it means to be human.
For our crew, these are the tales which have formed us: the consolation reads we revisit yearly, the sagas that left us breathless, and the sweeping tales that sparked our curiosity concerning the wider world. We hope you’ll uncover a brand new favourite right here—or be impressed to select up an previous one once more.
