Books without missing children or cupcakes?

[Frombothsidesnow]

Since having children I struggle to read books about dead or missing infants. Actually sad things full stop, which is immensely frustrating as good books involve strong emotions. But I also don't want to read dross about women finding love in the country over cupcakes. Please help me find some decent literature that will make my brain work but doesn't involve dead babies?

What about PG Wodehouse, or Tom Sharpe?

Lots of lovely recommendations, thank you! Forgive me as I'm on my phone and can't keep flicking back but there were interesting-looking lists to follow up.

I have read Vinegar Girl (read those two out of order) and quite liked it. Not read the Tempest one but thought the P&P one by Curtis Sittenfield was OK.

Jennifer Weiner I love, and have read them all, Little Earthquakes long before such things got to me.

I've read a couple of Helen Dunmore and one Patrick Gale so could investigate more. Also more Stella Gibbons!

I once wrote an extremely erudite mini-dissertation in English comparing Right Ho, Jeeves, Wilt and Diary of a Nobody. Quite what my English teacher made of my theories on how often Bertie Wooster visited prostitutes I'll never know.

I forgot to mention that I have an enormous love of Kate Atkinson, and Marian Keyes has just said there'll be a new Atkinson soon, which makes me happy.

Looking forward to the new Kate Atkinson too (publication date 6 September). Anne Tyler also has a new book coming in July.

Now I'm remambering all the books I need to get to soon!

I'd second @gerbo 's recommendation for John Boyne, great writing and you find yourself reading it in an Irish accent.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Rosie Project are lovely.

Michel Faber is great and every book is very different. Absolutely no cupcakes!

I’m quite pleased to see other people struggling with miserable books after having kids. I recently really enjoyed the Temeraire books and The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter. Nicely written (in general....) and no lasting sadness.

Sara Paretsky.

If you enjoy non fiction and autobiography, How Not to Be a Boy by Robert Webb is amazingly funny and honest and thought provoking, especially if you have sons. There is grief, and I should warn about suicide mentions, but it's clearly identified which chapter this is in so you can skip it, and the grief side of things isn't dwelled upon - there are a few deeply touching moments but nothing to make you sob and sob, though I'd leave it for another time if grief for parents is a sore spot.