'Old Lady' Christmas Book

[PiratePenguin]

On the 1st December we all have a Christmas book. This year it's my turn to buy them. My mum is 84 and I have no idea what book to get her. She's not that in to mysteries so can anyone recommend a book that she'd like? She watches Call the Midwife and read lots of Catherine Cookson 'way back when'. Village / gentle style books is kind of her style. Any suggestions welcome - along with many thanks!

@EerilyDeleted

It's not fiction, but Nigel Slater's Christmas Chronicles is an absolute delight. Part diary, part reminiscences, part history, plus a few recipes thrown in, perfect winter reading. Also Christmas at the Vicarage by Rebecca Boxall is nice.

As for 14 yo DDs, mine had to read The Dark is Rising for school last year and absolutely hated it. She enjoys mythology, fantasy etc and has just devoured the latest Rick Riordan which came out on kindle this week, but that's because it's part of a series she's been reading for years.

I'm counting the days until 1st November which is when the Chronicles begin. I just love his writing.

Definitely "Winter Solstice " by Rosamund Pike. I read it every year and I have an English degree.....

In a sense, CountFosco, you're making my point for me. I have read and enjoyed Jane Austen from childhood - and thus gained an understanding of, and a certain empathy with, the culture (hate that word) and environment she depicted. She has fitted into the wider puzzle of human society that has evolved in my brain.

And yet, I am not to be found in her pages. (Unless perhaps as some unseen, latterly discovered in a hidden cupboard by the National Trust). If I had insisted only in reading books that portrayed my own multi-national familial past I would now have a very scant comprehension of Austen's world and the society that developed from it.

(Not sure if I've explained well.)

I can’t believe a thread looking for gentle nice Christmas themed books can descend into a row! Or can I? This is Mumsnet after all!

@PiratePenguin

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I would love it to be a Christmas themed / set book so will check out some of the titles mentioned. I am really grateful.

Whilst I'm asking .......how about suggestions for a 13 year old girl (or is that being too cheeky!)

I had the Christmas hirelings as an audiobook last Christmas and loved it

AwkwardSquad, love Lillian Beckwith - I was introduced to her books by my A level english teacher back in the eighties - no-one I ever mention them to has ever heard of her! Time for a revival. OP, Lillian Beckwith's books are lovely - funny, touching but not saccharine. Start off with 'The Hills is Lonely' and take it from there.

In a similar vein, Lavinia Derwent - I'm buying my DMum these for Christmas - stories of a girl growing up on a remote farm in the Scottish Borders in the early part of the 20th century - 'A Border Bairn'.

I love Susan Hill's 'The Magic Apple Tree' - not fiction, but a semi-fictionalised account of a country year - the chapter on Christmas is beautiful.

Mollie Hughes books about growing up in London in the latter half of the 19th century are a lovely read. I think she's published as M V Hughes.

Echo PP's mention of Persephone Books - they are beautiful, and many of them are of the genre you requested:
Would really recommend:
Mollie Panter Downes
E M Delafield
D E Stevenson

Persephone, I like gentle books, especially at the moment - they provide an escape from the shitshow that is the UK under Covid. I have, in the past, read plenty of grim, depressing books from Thomas Hardy, Sylvia Plath, John Steinbeck to Ishiguro. I have read plenty of violent crime fiction - the likes of Jo Nesbo for instance. At the moment, that's not what I need and I sure as hell wouldn't be judging anyone for their perfectly acceptable reading choices.

I can’t think of anything Christmassy, but Persephone books are lovely and have some great titles. I particularly like their short stories - Good Evening Mrs Craven is a great collection, but they also do some collections by different authors. I would also agree with Mariana and pretty much anything by Monica Dickens.

I'd agree that the Persephone books list is lovely - but they're not all gentle!

Marghanita Laski's Little Boy Lost is one of the books of my life - but it's as urgently painful and terrifying as a book could be.

@eddiemairswife

Why can't she be like me and enjoy Ian Rankin, Hilary Mantel, Margaret Attwood? Not all older people like cosy 'safe' books.

How boring that would be.

I notice that the most intellectual, intelligent, erudite and witty posters on the long running book thread never criticise other people's tastes. And are rarely averse to a bit of Georgette Heyer either. Their thread is lovely and welcoming to all.
Go and slag their choices off Persephone. Dare you.

I love Georgette Heyer!

You are completely missing my point - so I must assume I have not put it well.

@PersephonePromotesEquanimity - indeed! I should perhaps have said “but nothing by Marghanita Laski.”

@PiratePenguin

She’s 84, lives in a tiny village on the foot of the South Downs, is a member of the WI and Trefoil Guild. She doesn’t drink, smoke or swear and goes to the village church in Sundays. She genuinely likes quaint, quiet and gentle books. I don’t, I read crimes, murders and thrillers - hence I’ve no idea about books she’ll like and I’m asking for suggestions. I’m delighted she knows her genre and what she likes - I’m not about to try to convert her!

In that case, I second Gervase Finn.

Was going to say Christmas at High Rising and CCF at Christmas and love Victoria Clayton

My Mum worked with Gervaise Phinn.

Cara's Land by Elvi Rhoades is a lovely read.

The James Herriot books could do 13 yo and 84 yo. Or Gervaisse Phinn (sp?)- basically the same premise as James Herriot, but as a teacher.

X post !!!!

Why would an 84yo waste time reading books she's not interested in? 🤯

OP has she read the Darling Buds of May books? These would fit right in I think. Gentle humour and same era as CTM.

Rosamund Pilcher is the author of Winter Solstice. Two posters have mixed her up with Rosamund Pike the actress!
Jenny Colgan has written a couple of Christmas books. Chick lit but gentle chick lit with nothing to offend genteel elderly ladies.

Amanda Prowse has also written a couple of good Christmassy books.

I’m sure she’ll have read Lark Rise to Candleford already, but if not, that’s a must.

diplodocusinermine, lovely to find another Lillian Beckwith fan!

@PiratePenguin, the brief mention of Jane Austen above, has reminded me of “Longbourn” by Jo Baker. It’s a retelling of life in the Pride and Prejudice household from the view of the servants, with a twist or two.

Your Mum has probably watched the TV adaptations if she’s not read the book, so will enjoy all the intrigue and gentle hints of scandals, it’s an easy fun read.

Thanks for the mention of Nigel’s Christmas Chronicles, I’m off to find my copy now, just what I need at the moment! 🎄 🎄 🎄

Not sure if it’s quite a Christmas book but some of it is set at Christmas. My lovely mum of the same age liked Faith Fox by Jane Gardam.

I second the votes for The Christmas Hirelings (M E Braddon) and alsoThe Magic Apple Tree: just wonderful!

Cranford, maybe, or something else by Elizabeth Gaskell?

Or one of the Cotswold mysteries by Rebecca Tope?

Hope you find something for her to enjoy.