Books that depict the “normal” life from different countries and eras?

I have read The Good Earth and Pachinko and i think these 2 have become at least my top 15 books read ever.

I'm interested in any time period but i don't want a history book, i want the life presented as a story of a character/characters doesn't need to be real but can be.

I think i am interested in something from Japan, Southern Africa or the middle east! but anything is welcomed, i like this genre.