rhizoverbBeta
DictionarysagaLong narrative
noun

saga

SAH-guh/ˈsɑːɡə/

A long story of connected events, often involving heroes or family history.

The novel tells a family saga that spans three generations.

A substantial illustrated family chronicle lies open to three connected scenes spanning a family's life: young parents escape a flooded home with their infant, the same family rebuilds years later, and the now-elderly parents reunite with their grown daughter at the restored home.
Etymology
sagaOld Norsestory, tale

Old Norse saga meant a story or tale. English first used it for lengthy medieval Scandinavian narratives, then extended it to other long, convoluted stories.

In context

Daniel Greene3:46
what i love about that film isn't that it's a gangster film but that it's a family film it's a family saga
FONDA LEE Talks Developing Jade🟢, Researching Organized Crime🔬, and Fantasy!

More examples

  • She writes sagas about heroes who defend their homeland.
  • Grandpa tells us the saga of his family's journey west.
  • Over lunch, he recounts the saga of his home repairs.

Forms

saga · sagas

Similar words

epic
Emphasizes grand heroic deeds, often told in poetry.
chronicle
Emphasizes events recorded in order rather than a sweeping story.
tale
Can describe a shorter story without connected generations or events.