📚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 )

There was some architecture series a while ago where people were interior designing a room of different period houses (a competition?) and one was a span house iirc. Was it Tom Dyckhoff?

Yes, it was. The Great Interior Design Challenge. From 2014 apparently. A span house in Ashstead.

I remember that Span house on the design show.

It was a glorious 60s space.

That's interesting about the Design Challenge; thank you, I'll look it up.

So pleased to find someone else who enjoys Joan Aiken novels, @ScrambledSmegs - saw you mentioned "Died on a Rainy Sunday". I enjoyed that plus others of hers - Deception, and Blackground, come to mind.

Total tangent but these are my favourite houses.

www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Walters_Way_and_Segal_Close

me too please!!

I love Span houses and Walters Way. There was a Walters Way house for sale when I was looking to move, and I was sorely tempted.

Loving The Road to Lichfield, though I want to smack poor old Don.

I started reading it today, and I'm really loving it. Very evocative writing

I'm also finding it really engrossing, though it's Graham who really exasperates me.

Fabulous

@MotherofPearl Yeah, Graham can do one, too.

Im really enjoying it. I'd never have picked it up without this thread, so, thank you!

A Fortnight in September by R.C. Sherriff is my favourite Persephone book. Very evocative of an earlier time. Set in the 1930s I think.

He also wrote Journeys End , a play, set in ww1 which I listened to on audiobook. Keep a hanky handy, it's also a movie.

I'm about a third of the way through The Road to Lichfield, and I am enjoying it very much. Lovely prose, and skillful handling of point of view. Authors trying to be clever with point of view and failing is one of my major dislikes, but I really like shifts in point of view done well.

@BookWorm45 yes I love her writing, she's one of my favourite children's authors and find her adult books very compelling too. Glad to finally meet someone else who appreciates her!

I'm hoping to start the Road to Lichfield this weekend, although my current book is very hard going. 'Unfolds at a rip-roaring pace' - I really don't think so!

Oh dear

Just picked my copy up from the library and have enjoyed the first few chapters with a cup of tea. I have read Joan Aiken children's books but didn't realise she had also written for adults, another to add to my list...

I’m loving the Road to Lichfield. Just started chapter 5. I didn’t realise it was shortlisted for the Booker in 1977.

Loving this book, got it from the library and it hadn't been took out since 2008

Love Ann Tyler books

How do you know?? My library hasn't stamped books for years. I miss it!

I'm so enjoying this book. I can't believe I haven't read any of her other books!

The writing is so 'taut' - you really have to 'read' it, IYSWIM. So expressive.

@Delabruche

Yes stamped books on label

I love "rather dated" fiction. I have a folder on my kindle called Pymish which is for all the between the wars women writers. Started off as a collection of Barbara Pym then expanded.

Finished the book, can't wait to discuss with you all