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

[Antarcticant]

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 )

I hope your DD is better now, CloudJam.
I agree with your comments. I was also trying to articulate what Stella expressed very well. Sadly, I'm not a good gardener.
It's survival of the fittest in my garden :) * *

Yes, I think we are reading A Start in Life next.* *

I have finished A Start in Life and without giving any spoilers, loved it. Very much looking forward to chatting about it on the 25th.

I have a similarly Darwinian approach to gardening @IsFuzzyBeagMise.

My copy of A Start in Life just arrived! Will start reading tonight, I’m glad you like it @MotherofPearl

I am about to start - this is my copy. Love the first line.

I didn't fancy BN so I read another Penelope Lively - Passing On - which I loved. Slow fiction. I have high hopes for A Start In Life.

I have the same edition as Madge.
Sometimes I wonder if my life has been ruined by literature!

Yes me too. Plus movies.

My Kindle version cover.

I’m just over halfway through A Start in Life and I’m really enjoying.

Very late but have just finished Black Narcissus. I really liked it. I spent a few years living in India as a teen so know it very well, and thought her descriptions were so evocative. The wind that gets into everyone and everything, the harsh yet beautiful mountains and the changing seasons.
Interested to read the views on Clodagh and Mr Dean relationship. I did at first expect a romance to blossom but then realised they were sparring partners. And actually it was the Black Narcissus who reminded her of Con. Also enjoyed the descent of all of them really, becoming obsessed with various things. It had a dreamy character that was very well done and does remind me of living in those isolated places. Again something that is probably lost in these days of connectivity.

Will definitely try and watch the film.

Just finished A Start in Life. Absolutely loved it. I’m going to read some more Anita Brookner, only read Hotel du Lac so far.

I think we’re probably about done discussing Black Narcissus, but in case anyone might be interested, I’ve literally just noticed that there’s a 1997 radio adaptation of it on Radio 4 Extra this afternoon at 4pm - with Sinead Cusack as Sister Clodagh and Lesley Sharp as Sister Ruth. I’m doing a long drive tomorrow so I might download it to listen then.

Thanks @IsFuzzyBeagMise DD is better now thank you, but it was a fun few days. My first time dealing with baby projectile vomiting!

@Terpsichore Thanks for that - just what I need for some 3am breastfeeding distraction!

Is the discussion date for A Start in Life, the 25th?

Yes, I think we always start on the 25th of the month.
I'm looking forward to reading it.

I've finally managed to read one on time...

Taps fingers impatiently...

Finally finished BN after a busy few weeks and going away on holiday.

I enjoyed it but less than I thought I would to be honest. Having seen the film years ago helped spur me on when I felt like giving up.

I found that I liked Mr Dean more in the novel, even though as others have said none of the characters were well developped.

Although I found it a struggle at times ( due to the style or what I thought was the clunkiness of it in places, but that could have been more about me having a lot on and finding it hard to settle into it) it has made me want to read more Godden as the setting and themes were fascinating.

Not sure I'll join in for the Brookner but will join for the one after that.

I have finally finished The Road to Lichfield and loved it. I had my heart in my stomach for the last few chapters. It reminded me why I love older fiction. Enjoyed very much reading your comments.

I was willing her to ditch Don at the end but knew it was impossible (or was it?). I know the discussion has ended so I won't say much more but thank you to whoever suggested it.

I will start the Brookner now and try to catch up.

Glad you like the Lively, @DorritLittle . I've started rereading A Start in Life, and looking forward to discussing it. Shall we start ideas for next month's?

On the back of the thread that inspired this one, I am listening to Possession by A S Byatt, narrated by the wonderful Samuel West, and it’s marvellous. So pleased I found these threads. I have my thoughts on Brookner ready to go.

I've read Possession, loved the story (I'm a glutton for academia settings, clue in my user name), though I skipped the poetry, I must admit. Have you read The Children's Book, set in the early days of the V&A?

Should we start picking next month's read?

How about an early Margaret Drabble? Or Carol Shields? I'm on my phone, so can't scroll back to see some of the early suggestions.

I haven’t read the Children’s Book, but I have a feeling I’ll love it. As I’m listening to Possession I am hearing the poetry, and I must admit I love it, but I did have a love affair with all things Rossetti/Pre-Raphaelite when I was in my late teens.

I'd second an early Margaret Drabble.

Listening to the poetry sounds great. I have discovered audio books after an eye operation: a brilliant way to focus on the language (with the right reader). I'm so grateful for our county library, that provides them for free via an app.

It’s a very different experience listening to a book, and the narrator makes all the difference.

I would love to try a Margaret Drabble, who I have just found out is A S Byatt’s sister.

A summer bird cage? I believe it was Margaret Drabble’s first book, or an early one anyway. Loved it as a teenager, thought it was just so sophisticated! Would love to read it again