I have read john jakes 1st book in his north and south series and thoroughly enjoyed it. I tried to read the second book in the series, but have been unable to keep reading it because I am getting mixed up with all the characters in the book and what they are doing and where they are. Has anyone else had this problem? I know Mr. Jakes is a great writer and I don't really mean to be critical. I'm starting to think my little brain just can't consume stories of this magnitude. I was also wondering if his series that starts with the book "The Bastard" has this many characters and situations going on at one time. If so perhaps I need to put them on the site. Maybe someone with more patience would really enjoy them.

Just wondering,

Robin

Maybe it would help to make your own character list if the book doesn't have one???

Sometimes, when I have this problem, I just ignore it and I find that the characters usually sort themselves out while I'm reading. As you read farther, they become easier to remember. I haven't read a John Jakes book yet, although he is on my list of "Must Read H/F", so I can't be of much help.

Good luck!

Thanks for the character list idea. I hadn't thought of that.

I haven't read North and South, but I have read the whole Kent Family series.  It does have a lot of characters, but IIRC, there is a family tree in the front or back of each book to help keep everyone straight.  Maybe you could make an enlarged copy of the family tree then jot a few notes about each character as you come across them.

Go read a summary of the first book if need be, and then make yourself a characters list. And a family tree if it will help.

I have these 3 books on my TBR pile, and look forward to eventually getting around to them. I remember watching the TV mini-series as a kid and LOVING it.