How Far Does the Apple Fall?
Intergenerational Stories
Books that take place across and tell the stories of at least two generations, exploring history, politics, culture, generational patterns, and trauma. Mostly focusing on families.
Please give more recs if you have any! (Twenty fiction, two non-fiction so far)
created by emma.thinks
last updated April, 2026
Comments
i love this! i thought about East of Eden and i’m glad it’s added already <3 maybe Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson fits in this list too?
Ooh, it looks like it does. So cool to find out titles on my radar follow this structure/theme, thank you!😊
And East of Eden was one of the first books of this type I read and it fascinated me, I loved it.
oooo gorgeous list, love to see it! The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and Mad Sisters of Esi by Tashan Mehta would both fit your criteria, if you are open to recs!
Absolutely I am, thank you so much! Will add🙂↕️😊
wonderful idea Emma! Thank you for this list 🙂↕️ Do you take suggestions? 👀
Yes, please!!! I realised I love this kind of storytelling but haven't read many, gimme all the suggestions 😊
I feel like "Livonia Chow Mein" would fit! It's multi-generational and also part of the timely Literary Fiction-Quest 🙂↕️ Also, "Homegoing" is all about generations and how they deal with what came before them!
Thank you, I've added both of them! I know Homegoing has been on my radar for a while, I need to bump it up my TBR.
I really enjoyed it!
I love intergenerational stories! A few months ago I read Inheritance by Lan Samantha Chang which I think would fit your criteria!
This is amazing, thank you!! I've never heard of this one before, adding to the list and my Interested 🙂↕️☺️
Yay! I hope you enjoy it. I love Lan Samantha Chang's writing 🫶.
awesome list! On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous would be a great addition if you’re open to suggestions :)
Ooh, thank you!! This one is actually on my library TBR but I know basically nothing about it. Am adding and bumping up my TBR☺️
