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📚The Mumsnet 'Rather Dated' Book Group - All welcome to join📚

997 replies

Antarcticant · 01/09/2022 16:44

Welcome to the Mumsnet 'Rather Dated' Book Group, where we will be reading and discussing fiction from the 1930s to the 1990s that would have been described as 'contemporary' in its day.

The best introduction to the 'rather dated' concept would be to read the wonderful thread which inspired this group:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/what_were_reading/4596284-rather-dated?reply=119670989

To summarise, a number of posters expressed disappointment that literature of the 20th Century is often dismissed as 'rather dated' because society has moved on from many of the values and lifestyles described.

We decided to create a reading group where the literary merits of such fiction can be appreciated, with any 'rather dated' elements being a point of interest rather than a reason to dismiss a novel.

We will be reading one book a month. Our first book, for September, will be the book that inspired the original thread:

The Road to Lichfield by Penelope Lively

Please do join the thread whether you want to take part in the discussion or just place mark to follow it.

Fellow Rather Dated people, please add anything important I might have missed!

(With huge thanks to ImJustMadAboutSaffron for the original thread and idea Flowers)

OP posts:
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kateandme · 23/09/2022 00:34

woodhill · 22/09/2022 22:02

Oh the Cazalet chronicles are amazing

Show quote history

I’m so in.already imbedded with the characters and the family’s next moves.and was shocked already by some of the behviours.

woodhill · 22/09/2022 22:02

kateandme · 22/09/2022 12:39

Great thread.
I’ve just finished the light years which I loved and can’t wait to read the rest of the series. The story of this family of 3 generations begins in 1937 and onwards from there.

Oh the Cazalet chronicles are amazing

Caroffee · 22/09/2022 21:39

Great idea. I read the original thread.

CalmConfident · 22/09/2022 21:37

Just finished Road to Lichfield, really enjoyed it…

Lots to discuss, no spoilers…but I did have a wry smile at any point £££ were mentioned as the numbers were so shockingly out of sync with todays prices

highlandcoo · 22/09/2022 21:32

Hi, I would love to join in. Have just received my copy and made a start. Should be ready by the 25th!
And I agree about the titchy wee print.

kateandme · 22/09/2022 12:39

Great thread.
I’ve just finished the light years which I loved and can’t wait to read the rest of the series. The story of this family of 3 generations begins in 1937 and onwards from there.

BadSpellaSpellaSpella · 22/09/2022 11:21

A great idea for a book club. I have a good pile of virago books already, but late to start this month's but with join in October

Jumpthehoneycomb · 21/09/2022 20:36

Just bought my Road to Lichfield. Not sure I'll manage to read it this month but will follow this thread with interest. Determined to get back into reading this winter.

Pallisers · 21/09/2022 20:00

Philandbill · 04/09/2022 14:16

I have found my reading people! This is a great idea.
@MsInterpret "Moon Tiger" is my favourite novel of all, sadly forgotten by most people I think. Also loved almost all of Penelope Lively's other works, especially City of the Mind, A House Unlocked and Making It Up.

I just finished Moon Tiger - thanks to this thread/post. Thank you. Have recommended it to several friends.

Norah Lofts is one of my favourite authors. I reread the Gads Hall books every couple of years.

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 21/09/2022 14:34

Thanks for setting this up, I have been on holiday for a couple of weeks and am chuffed to come back to see this!!!

I'm completing my current book and then starting a Barbara Pym, An Academic Question.

MotherofPearl · 21/09/2022 09:55

Good Pym reference there Janina. I couldn't agree more about being an Excellent Woman; it's something I aspire to. Smile

XingMing · 21/09/2022 09:38

I loved Ann Bridge, but wonder how easy it will be to find them now. And they are very dated.

JaninaDuszejko · 20/09/2022 22:20

MrsEdwinReardon · 19/09/2022 23:09

A prettier woman would have taken up adultery

This isn't a plot spoiler so I hope will be OK, but it is rather depressing when one reads about oneself.

I would say it's better to think of yourself as an Excellent Woman to use a rather dated phrase 😁. Better excellent than an adulterer.

Nowisthemonthofmaying · 20/09/2022 19:14

Just discovered this thread, right up my street! I would suggest adding Ann Bridges and Elizabeth Goudge to the big list of potential authors...

woodhill · 20/09/2022 19:09

Yes I think so

IceandIndigo · 20/09/2022 19:02

I think that line is a prefect example of ‘slightly dated’ in action!

SomethingNastyInTheBallPool · 20/09/2022 18:54

I also winced at that line.

woodhill · 20/09/2022 18:21

MrsEdwinReardon · 19/09/2022 23:09

A prettier woman would have taken up adultery

This isn't a plot spoiler so I hope will be OK, but it is rather depressing when one reads about oneself.

Yes I didn't like that line

ChannelLightVessel · 20/09/2022 16:39

Do you have to be pretty to be adulterous, or just up for it? I say this being neither.

MrsEdwinReardon · 19/09/2022 23:09

A prettier woman would have taken up adultery

This isn't a plot spoiler so I hope will be OK, but it is rather depressing when one reads about oneself.

StColumbofNavron · 19/09/2022 17:05

I’m here to push myself out of my usual reading habits so happy to go with the majority. I do have Black Narcissus though on Kindle already.

I started today and shelved everything else got the moment, so should be done for 25th.

Clawdy · 18/09/2022 09:55

Norah Lofts
Anya Seton
Loved those books.

JaninaDuszejko · 16/09/2022 18:35

My copy arrived today (joys of buying from Blackwells, by the time a delivery arrives I've forgotten I was expecting it and so it's a little present to myself from my past self). I've read the first chapters and loving it so far.

Would be very happy with either of the Rumer Godden options next month. Like Penelope Lively I loved her children's books but haven't explored the adult books but they have been on my wishlist (the step behind TBR) for a while.

📚The Mumsnet 'Rather Dated' Book Group - All welcome to join📚
MrsEdwinReardon · 16/09/2022 18:27

Just arrived, just starting. You lot were right, the print is so small! Funny that all my books as a child were in the same print, seems very old fashioned.

Doubleraspberry · 16/09/2022 18:15

We had a huge list of author suggestions upthread didn’t we? I’d be happy with anything from any of them to be honest!