Baudolino

Baudolino by Umberto Eco. I like all his works, but this one is the most moving and epic. I still think of it.

Nobody has suggested Umberto Eco yet.I would try The Island of the Day Before or Baudolino before Foucault's Pendulum. Alistair Reynolds is space opera done nicely (if you want to look in that direction). Chasm City stands on its own, but there are some similar works there. Twain fits in with some of your other comments.