📚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 )

Thanks @XingMing - I'll be mindful of the prevailing attitudes of the times...

I’ve just finished Hadnet Crampton by Barbara Pym, so funny. What would people think about reading a Pym one month? I’m starting An Enchanted April tomorrow.

I'd be very happy with a Muriel Spark or a Barbara Pym next (after TEA). I've read all Barbara Pym's novels, but would gladly reread any of them. And of Muriel Spark's I've only read The Prime... so would be pleased to expand.

I would definitely be in for a Pym. I've also read her canon several times, but would happily read any of hers again.

If we go for Barbara Pym, it's worth listening to this Slightly Foxed podcast about her: foxedquarterly.com/barbara-pym-other-excellent-women-slightly-foxed-podcast-episode-41/

What about An Academic Question?

I feel quite fondly towards Lotty in Enchanted April. I can't stand Caroline being called "Scrap" it really irritates me.

I'd be happy to reread An Academic Question.

Always love to read any Barbara Pym, with the possible exception of Quartet in Autumn, so An Academic Question would be fine by me.

As usual, I'm happy to read anything recommended, so it's fine by me :)

Quartet in Autumn is a little gloomy.

Glad we seem to have agreed An Academic Question.

Great, I’ve not read that one. I’m really enjoying The Enchanted April. I could do with being in a medieval Italian castle surrounded by flowers at the moment.

I'm reading The Enchanted April at the moment. Such a treat. Is there a new thread for it yet?

No, not yet. I'm going to start one on the 1st of August.

Ooh, lovely!

I started The Enchanted April a few days ago and am really enjoying it so far.

I'm a few chapters in and I'm enjoying it too.

'I am prevented going into the kitchen because of my stick'. 😅

Note to self: get a stick.

I can't get over the fact that this "elderly" person is simply middle-aged.

That stick is a brilliant excuse, isn’t it?

Isn't it? Maybe they will all have one by the end of the book 😄

I'm finding the writing very witty.

I finished it yesterday. I really enjoyed it. Very witty, very sharp. I wasn't expecting it to be so funny. Von Arnim had an intelligent sense of humour.

I'll start a discussion thread on the first of August.

Can I join in sometimes? It will mainly depend if I can get the book out of the library to be honest. Which book are you doing next?

Oh wait - the discussion is for the one after the next one, is that right? So the one to read now, and to start discussing on 1st August is The Enchanted April, have I understood that right?

Yes, that's right. We're reading The Enchanted April now and Fuzzy will open our discussion thread on 1 August.

Then we are reading Barbara Pym's An Academic Question, with discussion opening on 1 September.

We haven't decided on the book after that!

That’s great. I just had a look and it is in my library so I’ll order it. I’ll see you on the 1st! Does the discussion go on for a few days?