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 
)