📚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 love these authors and would like to join. All time favourite is The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith and most of her other books.

Yes I would like to join! Echoes of parental paperbacks. Also a Highsmith fan

I'm happy to start the thread on 1 September for discussion of our current book, Barbara Pym's An Academic Question. I need to hurry up and (re)read it.

I don't think we have decided what to read in September? Very open to any suggestions. I have an unread Dorothy Whipple on my shelf (High Wages) if anyone fancies that as our next read? I also have Ann Bridge's An Illyrian Spring ready to read, after the recommendation on here.

Welcome to all new joiners - glad to have you. Here's the message one of us usually posts at the start of each thread set up to discuss a specific book:

About the threads:

We are reading and discussing fiction from the 1930s to the 1990s that would have been described as 'contemporary' in its day. We are reading one book a month. Spoilers are permitted!

We started the chat thanks to a thread where we kicked off with a discussion of Penelope Lively, The Road to Lichfield.

Currently we have these separate threads:
November: Anita Brookner, A Start in Life
December: Margaret Drabble: A Summer Bird-Cage
January: Elizabeth Jane Howard, The Beautiful Visit.
March: Winifred Watson, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.
April: R.C. Sheriff, The Fortnight in September.
May: Elizabeth Taylor, Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont.
June: Margaret Kennedy, The Feast.
July: Mollie Panter-Downes, One Fine Day.
August: Elizabeth Von Arnim, The Enchanted April.

Discussion of the monthly book opens on the 1st of the subsequent month (so we're currently reading An Academic Question by Barbara Pym, and as I've said, I'll set up the discussion thread for that on 1 September). This main thread is for general chat about Rather Dated fiction.

Yes please to Dorothy Whipple (High Wages), or save that for October and discuss Sheriff's A Fortnight in September in September?

We did Sheriff's The Fortnight in September in April @frustratedacademic.

Ah, off to search past threads, thanks

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

Here you go @frustratedacademic

Thanks @MotherofPearl such a treat! And the postcard images are a lovely bonus.

Hi all, I been following with interest, (even managed to read a few!) Has anyone read Doreen by Barbara Noble please? If so, how gloomy / emotional is it? I keep putting if off thinking I need to be in the right mood, but am I being daft? I enjoyed The Lost Boy, if that helps, but did find it put me through it. In a good way!

I have Ballet Shoes ready for reading to DD nearer Christmas. I remember enjoying it when young but nothing much of what happens. I wasn't entirely sold on Aunt Clara while reading it but it has stayed with me, so I'm really looking forward to Ballet Shoes.

I’ve read it, @Scout2016. I loved it. But it is very heart-wrenching, no two ways about it. Tears were involved, let’s put it that way. However, I’d say it’s one of my favourite Persephone books, and I’ve read a lot of them.

Thank you @Terpsichore I'll leave it until I can give it more attention and headspace then.

I've made the thread to discuss An Academic Question, so do add your thoughts when you're ready:

📚 'Rather Dated' September: Barbara Pym's An Academic Question. 📚 http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/whatweree_reading/4885342-rather-dated-september-barbara-pyms-an-academic-question

I've been trying to stop mumsnetting recently and actually read books instead.

However, I've recently finished The Children of Dynmouth by William Trevor which, I feel, very much fits this thread. It's one of the best books I've read in such a long time. So, here I am, recommending it.

However, I've recently finished The Children of Dynmouth by William Trevor which, I feel, very much fits this thread. It's one of the best books I've read in such a long time. So, here I am, recommending it.

I read this about 10 years ago and agree!

Did we decide on a September title? And would anyone fancy reading an Elizabeth Bowen novel one month?

Yes definitely! There are a few books by her in my library that I have been thinking about reading for a while.

I’d recommend Death or the Heart or The Last September - I don’t think plots are Bowen’s forte and some of the other novel plots don’t quite work - although the writing is always extraordinary.

I thought we'd decided on Dorothy Whipple's High Wages for this month? Has anyone started it yet? If not perhaps we should go for Bowen's The Last September (in September ) and save High Wages for next month?

Oh sorry @MotherofPearl I didn’t realise we’d actually decided! I’d be delighted with another Dorothy Whipple, I’d never heard of her and I absolutely love her. I tracked down a few other of her titles, but haven’t read High Wages.

No need to apologise @StellaOlivetti. I wasn't sure if we had decided for sure. Shall we line up an Elizabeth Bowen for October?

Happy with an Elizabeth Bowan one

https://persephonebooks.co.uk/pages/the-persephone-festival

Anyone interested in this? Persephone Books are having a festival, in Bath, Friday 19th April-Sunday 21st April 2024, with 3 days of events.

That looks good Channel, I have signed up for more information. Not too far away from me.

I've also signed up for more info, I'm not far from Bath