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Original poster

Books set in the 1950s

33 replies

Chickenpie1 · 18/03/2016 19:52

Hi, I have recently become fascinated with the 1950s and wondered if anyone could recommend any books set around this time?

OP posts:
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gingercat12 · 09/04/2016 15:44

The hand that first held mine by Maggie O'Farrell

The clothes on their back by Linda Grant

WhenDoISleep · 08/04/2016 21:31

Apologies, that should say Laura Wilson.

WhenDoISleep · 08/04/2016 21:30

Laura Wislon has a short series of crime/detective novels based in 1950s London. A Capital Crime is the first one.

thisfalseinsight · 08/04/2016 21:02

John Updike has some wonderful books set (and written!) in the 1950s - my favourites are Couples and Rabbit, Run (which, if you enjoy it, is the first book in a series of 4 - the second written/taking place a decade later and so on up to the 80s). He's an absolutely extraordinary writer and the books are lovely and intimate and really do put you in that moment in time.

TurtleEclipseofTheHeart · 02/04/2016 19:23

OP- I'm a little obsessed with the 1950s and 60s... what kind of books do you usually enjoy?

alteredimages · 02/04/2016 18:18

Again a bit early, but I really loved A Commonplace Killing by Siân Busby and it highlighted to me how little I know about post WW2 Britain.

Mumandmummer · 24/03/2016 16:53

The Outcast, Sadie Jones

Quogwinkle · 24/03/2016 16:48

The Call The Midwife books were brilliant. Recommend too :)

AButterflyLightsBesideUs · 24/03/2016 14:41

The Call the midwife books (Jennifer Worth) are mainly set in 1950s East London. Non fiction memoirs, fascinating and harrowing and well worth a read.

Sadik · 19/03/2016 09:50

I love The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy - the adventures of a young American woman in Paris. Very, very funny, but also perceptive.

Quogwinkle · 19/03/2016 06:44

Barbara Pym was writing in the 1950s, and set her novels then.

Seconding Iris Murdoch's The Bell - one of the novels I studied for A Level and I loved it.

SuperScribbler · 19/03/2016 05:25

Expo 58 by Jonathan Coe. Very witty.

tigerdriverII · 18/03/2016 22:10

The Lydmouth novels by Andrew Taylor. Crime series but probably more social commentary. Brilliant.

Original poster
Chickenpie1 · 18/03/2016 22:08

Wow, I am going to have a busy time, so many books to read. Thanks again

OP posts:
MakingJudySmile · 18/03/2016 21:21

Agatha Christie is always a good choice imo. Lots set in the 1950s.

ifancyagreencard · 18/03/2016 21:12

Another vote for The Future Homemakers of America. My turn to Comfort Book!

TheCraicDealer · 18/03/2016 21:11

Just reread Ship of Brides by JoJo Moyes on holiday. It's actually set in 1946 which is a bit early Blush but it's really good, super romantic. About Aussie women who met their British fellas during the war and their journey to join their husbands in the UK.

GooseberryRoolz · 18/03/2016 21:10

The End of the Affair, Graham Greene
Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe ( set in Nigeria)
The Golden Notebook, Doris Lessing (longer period including the 50s)

mogloveseggs · 18/03/2016 21:07

A spool of blue thread - Anne Tyler. Late 1950s I think.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 18/03/2016 21:04

The Women's Room by Marilyn French

80sMum · 18/03/2016 21:01

I read Iris Murdoch's "The Bell" recently. That was written and set in the '50s. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

TennesseeDays · 18/03/2016 21:01

Behind the scenes at the museum by Kate Atkinson. Actually it jumps around a bit between different periods, but the main storyline is set in the 50s and early 60s.

Jojoanna · 18/03/2016 20:58

A summer birdcage or the Garrick year ? Margaret Drabble

BikeRunSki · 18/03/2016 20:57

The Catcher in the Rye

BikeRunSki · 18/03/2016 20:54

The YaYa Sisterhood
The Help - may have been a bit later
Danny Champion of the World - probably not really what you want!