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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:
Thread gallery
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MotherofPearl · 03/03/2023 13:43

Well if it's any consolation @DameHelena I do have 3 DC who will definitely interrupt my reading time, though fortunately they are getting old enough now to turf out and be left to go feral freerange a bit.

DameHelena · 03/03/2023 13:50

MotherofPearl · 03/03/2023 13:43

Well if it's any consolation @DameHelena I do have 3 DC who will definitely interrupt my reading time, though fortunately they are getting old enough now to turf out and be left to go feral freerange a bit.

Well, I hope you get plenty of book-time!

LadyHester · 03/03/2023 15:47

Fortunes of War is two separate trilogies so we could go for one (Balkan Trilogy would get my vote) if both were too daunting.

BadSpellaSpellaSpella · 03/03/2023 15:59

Brighton rock, the power and the glory and the end of the affair are known as his 'catholic' novels, not all are like that.

tobee · 03/03/2023 17:32

Yes @BadSpellaSpellaSpella I really remember enjoying Our Man in Havana, Travels With My Aunt and Stamboul Train.

Maybe I was feeling short tempered when I read The End of the Affair and that's coloured my listening of Brighton Rock.

It's Samuel West who's reading BR by the way and it's very well read. Trying to listen to well written page turners atm for listening while I do boring jobs around the house.

MotherofPearl · 09/03/2023 13:04

We need to decide on our next book (for April). Do we want to select one of the books mentioned by @TragicMuse upthread? Or should we have a Graham Greene? I'm happy to go with the majority.

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 09/03/2023 19:50

MotherofPearl · 02/03/2023 21:54

Perhaps we could have The Balkan Trilogy as our April book? I'd be interested to read it.

My grandmother was always saying things gave her 'the pip'! Haven't heard that for ages.

My grandad said that too!

Mirabai · 10/03/2023 08:23

Has Angela Thirkell been mentioned? Just came across her via Elizabeth Jane Howard autobiography.

BadSpellaSpellaSpella · 10/03/2023 12:05

I thought a fortnight in September was the April book? But happy to go with the majority

Terpsichore · 10/03/2023 12:09

BadSpellaSpellaSpella · 10/03/2023 12:05

I thought a fortnight in September was the April book? But happy to go with the majority

I thought that too!

MotherofPearl · 10/03/2023 12:21

BadSpellaSpellaSpella · 10/03/2023 12:05

I thought a fortnight in September was the April book? But happy to go with the majority

Oh goodness, I'm losing my mind! Yes, I remember that now. I had even bought a copy and added it to my pile of books waiting to be read. Blush Sorry for creating confusion.

StellaOlivetti · 23/03/2023 15:39

My copy of The Fortnight in September has arrived from the library! Looking forward to starting it … tomorrow’s treat.

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 23/03/2023 15:56

StellaOlivetti · 23/03/2023 15:39

My copy of The Fortnight in September has arrived from the library! Looking forward to starting it … tomorrow’s treat.

I got mine last month thinking it was the March read! (I read The Enchanted April last April)

Terpsichore · 01/04/2023 17:59

I’m highly annoyed now because I can’t find my copy. I know it’s in this house somewhere!

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 01/04/2023 18:14

I've started this. I'm on Chapter eight. They have just left Puss behind with enough milk and bloaters (fish?!) to last the fortnight. It's very quaint.

Have you tried down the side of the sofa, Terpsichore :)

MotherofPearl · 02/04/2023 08:15

I'm making good progress with the book - they're about halfway through the holiday now. I need to start a thread for discussing it, and we also need to decide what our next book will be (assuming people want to carry on with our Rather Dated Bookclub?).

MotherofPearl · 02/04/2023 08:58

📚 'Rather Dated' April: R.C. Sheriff's 'The Fortnight in September' 📚 http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/whatweree_reading/4776329-rather-dated-april-rc-sheriffs-the-fortnight-in-september

Terpsichore · 02/04/2023 13:45

I’ve ransacked the house @FuzzyCaoraDhubh - no luck! It should be on the shelf with all my other Persephones. And I know I’ve got it because not only do I remember starting to read it once before; it’s listed in my own catalogue of my books that I keep online.

I’ve admitted defeat for now and ordered it from the library - that should make it magically appear ☺️

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 02/04/2023 13:54

Terpsichore · 02/04/2023 13:45

I’ve ransacked the house @FuzzyCaoraDhubh - no luck! It should be on the shelf with all my other Persephones. And I know I’ve got it because not only do I remember starting to read it once before; it’s listed in my own catalogue of my books that I keep online.

I’ve admitted defeat for now and ordered it from the library - that should make it magically appear ☺️

It will for sure 😁

MotherofPearl · 02/04/2023 22:48

Hope it turns up @Terpsichore!

Any suggestions for our next book, after TFIS? I wondered about an Elizabeth Taylor, perhaps? Maybe Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont? I've read a couple of her novels and enjoyed them, but not read that one.

Happy to hear other people's thoughts.

ChannelLightVessel · 02/04/2023 23:15

That’s a good suggestion @MotherofPearl What do others think?

StellaOlivetti · 03/04/2023 06:30

Oh yes please, I love Elizabeth Taylor so much.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 03/04/2023 08:08

I have Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont already and would love to read it next.

artyone · 16/04/2023 20:21

Hello all, I would love to join your book club. These are exactly the kinds of books I love to read. I'm quite a persephone fan.
I'd be too late for April's choice I think as I'm not a speedy reader. I'll join in for May :)

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 16/04/2023 20:32

artyone · 16/04/2023 20:21

Hello all, I would love to join your book club. These are exactly the kinds of books I love to read. I'm quite a persephone fan.
I'd be too late for April's choice I think as I'm not a speedy reader. I'll join in for May :)

Welcome artyone! I discovered the Persephone books catalogue recently and thought it looked intriguing.