Is 'mummy lit' done now? Or are there still good ones out there?

[Tortoiseonthehalfshell]

Seems like about ten years after the first Bridget Jones book, there was an explosion of what the media insisted on calling 'Mummy Lit' - I Don't Know How She Does It, Secret Diary of a Slummy Mummy, etc.

And I know there's a bunch still out there, but I haven't read a good one since the above. Are there any you'd recommend? I'm a big fan of Christina Hopkinson's The Pile of Stuff at the Bottom of the Stairs - some quality ranting about the way that women get shafted in motherhood, in there. Stuff with a good vein of anger but is genuinely actually funny and well written? Anyone?

I found Bridget Jones really hard to identify with - her style of parenthood as nothing like mine!! I guess it sold and is still selling because of the original two. I found The Gathering a bit hard-going emotionally though beautifully written. I wouldn't class that as Mumslit?? It's more family saga? I agree - it's hard to tell what's going to be good. I tend to go by friends' suggestions. Have you written other stuff?

It was interesting to follow through Bridget's story, but I wouldn't want to read about her in old age. Hope that concludes her story.

Anne Enright's definitely not mummy lit, was a wild card throwing in a family saga . I did enjoy it, in spite of its rather harrowing storyline.

Can't think of anything else really that fits the bill for quality literature with child rearing as a theme. If I can come up with anything else will make a note of it here.

Agree AE definitely not mummy lit but nor is Sarah Moss. Adore both of them. AE's short stories do feature a lot of mothers wrangling pregnancies/young children, though, and are so rich and funny to read. There is one called 'Caravan' about a family holiday to France - I have never read anything so spot-on (to my experience anyway).

I asked for similar type fiction recommendations on this board before - I think somebody suggested Helen Simpson? Or a different Helen perhaps?

Well in that case the only two I know that fit that bill are 'the rise and fall of a yummy mummy' and 'surviving planet baby' which I mentioned. I'm about to start a new one about babies but I don't want to erg commend until I know if it's good. The two I've suggested are both strongly about being mums. The first one is about an identity struggle and set in London surrounded by other hipper mums; the second is about coming to terms with the new life you get with a baby and how hard it is. I agree that Mumslit should be focused on actual children - otherwise the term is just offensive!!!! Mums read lots of other stuff! I know I do.

duchess - I know what you mean about seeing how Bridget turned out, but I found that aspect a bit depressing!! But yes, let's hope she ends it there.

I love Susan Hill.

Also recommend Harriet Lane, Her.

Some great suggestions, will look some of these up.

I started the latest Bridget Jones, but didn't get on with it at all and only read the first chapter. I loved the first one though, so may give it another try sometime soon.

Just thought of another one - Go to sleep by Helen Walsh is great. More a story of a woman with pnd but I found it totally gripping .

Another vote for Her, Harriet Lane. Not exactly a bundle of laughs but she describes motherhood so well, all the small details were so accurate.

Actually, How To Be Womanby Caitlin Moran is a good chuckle.

Love, love Anne Enright, she is a fabulous writer, I envy her talent.

I must be the only person on mumsnet who really enjoyed 'ALife's Work' by Rachel Cusk

I loved it too, TheBogQueen :)