I've always been a fan of the 19th century novel, of the novel that is plotted, character-driven, and where the passage of time is almost as central to the novel as a major minor character, the passage of time and its effect on the characters in the story.
“I remember a big meeting with the hosiery trade in Harold's ministerial room.”
“I think Karl Rove saw that in George W. Bush early on and understood the impact that he could have on Texas politics and probably on national politics.”