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Original poster

Book set in the late 70s/80s

34 replies

Caroian · 28/01/2017 14:03

I'm looking for recommendations of books set in the late 1970s or early 1980s. It is a period that I love reading about partly, and simply, because it reminds me of my childhood, but also because I like looking at things from an adult perspective set at a time where I was still lost in childhood innocence, if that makes sense!

I've particularly enjoyed authors such as Isabel Ashdown, Esther Freud and Maggie O'Farrell in recent years... other authors or specific books to try?

OP posts:
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tripfiction · 26/02/2017 20:33

How about this one: Fallout by Sadie Jones (title of the blogpost, London, 1970s revisited: www.tripfiction.com/novel-set-in-london-1970s-revisited/)

BestIsWest · 20/02/2017 20:43

It's set in the future so may not be what you're looking for but Ready Player one by Ernest Cline is full of references to 80s TV, music and video games and us a great read.
I loved it.

AllTheLight · 20/02/2017 20:33

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

Or Billy Elliot - I think there's a book as well as the film

MargotLovedTom1 · 20/02/2017 20:17

One Day was more late 80s/90s to 2000s wasn't it?

I love Jonathan Coe's novels.

MargotLovedTom1 · 20/02/2017 20:14

The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell.

Backingvocals · 20/02/2017 19:56

The boy with the top knot by Sathnam Sanghera is really good on this. It's his childhood as a Sikh boy growing up in Wolverhampton (iirc) at this time. Lots of funny memories which resonated with me as well as a poignant reflection on his family.

cheeseoverchocolate · 20/02/2017 19:52

One day by David Nicholls

Helenluvsrob · 19/02/2017 19:30

The tent the bucket and me...
Utterly hilarious if you were a kid in the 70s. We had a proper camping toilet though 😄

littlebillie · 15/02/2017 21:16

Northern Clemancy

MrsBernardBlack · 15/02/2017 19:40

YY to the Northern Clemency, I loved it.

Also, Tim Pears In A Land of Plenty, which is quite similar.

Kai1977 · 15/02/2017 16:03

Oh and Anita and Me by Meera Syal. It's told from the POV of a girl but there's a big focus on adults.

Kai1977 · 15/02/2017 16:00

My Name is Leon is set in the 1980s and parts if Zadie Smith's Swing Time are as well, really took me back to my childhood with all the references!

Yes to Joanna Cannon's book as well.

SilenceIsBroken · 14/02/2017 15:44

Also thought of Black Swan Green when I saw the title. It's so evocative of the time, and so funny and real.

Tales of the City looks great! Will check that out.

Deathraystare · 14/02/2017 15:41

mm! Second the Tales of the City - I also saw it on tv. It was great! Read the whole lot.

DressageNut · 13/02/2017 13:14

I'd second The Northern Clemency - I really enjoyed it.

Limerish · 12/02/2017 22:07

Tales of the City by Amistead Maupin - it's American but wonderfully atmospheric of the era. The original 5/6 books span 1970's and 1980's. It's a proper soap opera of characters.

Suzietwo · 12/02/2017 21:56

Money, amis

tormentil · 30/01/2017 19:49

Yes yes to Jubilee by Shelley Harris. Definitely captures the era - I was 12 in 1977.

SatsukiKusakabe · 29/01/2017 06:12

I came on to say Black Swan Green, too. Like a more serious Adrian Mole.

ThereAreNoGhostsHere · 28/01/2017 16:32

Meant 80s for Black Swan Green Blush.

ThereAreNoGhostsHere · 28/01/2017 16:31

The Trouble With Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon is set in the 1970s. I really enjoyed it. It's well written and a good story. Seconding Black Swan Green by David Mitchell. V evocative of 1970s. You may also like Jubilee by Shelley Harris, set in 1977 during a street party for the Queen's jubilee.

Original poster
Caroian · 28/01/2017 15:57

I must admit I don't know how I've missed Philip Hensher! Some of his other titles look really good too, so a couple now on my TBR list.

I haven't read any Ruth Rendell in a long time, so should revisit. I actually haven't read an Elizabeth Jane Howard at all - I've heard mixed reviews but might give that one a go.

OP posts:
YakiUdonYumYum · 28/01/2017 15:30

I came on to say Philip Hensher too, great book.

David Mitchell's The Bone Clocks start in the 80s (and then moves on throughout the story).

ifigoup · 28/01/2017 15:26

Any of the Ruth Rendells written during that time. Her social history is always really, really well-observed.

venusinscorpio · 28/01/2017 15:24

Your loss OP Wink I read them all in the early 90s so double nostalgia hit for me!

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