📚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 )

First book I've read in ages that I thought got better as it went on. So many books you start to look, metaphorically, at your watch towards the end. 😬

It was very easy to read and nostalgic

Yes. I thought it was very masterful.

finished . look forward to seeing your opinions!!

I loved it- had read it many years ago but think it resonated more now as I’m older myself

I’d nearly finished it and now I can’t find my Kindle. Aaargh!

I got my copy yesterday. The print is teeny tiny after my Kindle.

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I've downloaded the book, the book club is a great idea!

Just picked it up. Managed to get it through an interlibrary loan. Looking forward to starting it.

I’ve just finished it! Really enjoyed it (yes, wasn’t the print titchy). Looking forward to our book club discussions.

My copy finally arrived. Agree about the tiny font!

I finished it last night.
I've never read any Penelope Lively before and am keen to discover more.
Looking forward to the 25th.

I may have missed it upthread but has a second book been decided upon?

No second book has been agreed upon, has it?

While we're pondering,^ may I add another author to the list? Rumer Godden, especially The Greengage Summer, and The Battle of the Villa Fiorita.^

No, not yet, but suggestions are welcome.

Sorry, I meant no second book has been agreed, not no to the excellent Rumer Godden!

Tiger in the Smoke by Margery Allingham is a very dated corker!

Empire of the Sun
Lucky Jim 💚💚💚
1 Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Brother of the more famous Jack

another vote for Cold Comfort Farm and for Nancy Mitford

The Greengage Summer would be a great choice. Also Godden’s Black Narcissus - which is 99p on Kindle at the moment.

Ah, yes please to the Greengage Summer. Going to dig it anyway - thanks for the reminder!

I've finished the book and am looking forward to discussing it on here on the 25th.

I've finished the book too - we'll still be on holiday on 25th though, so I may not be around for the initial chat.

I really enjoyed the book, and was very surprised that I've never come across or read any of her books before. More to add to my Kindle list

Good to hear people have finished the book. I hope the chat can continue through to when we start chatting about book two, so everyone has a chance to continue.

Any more suggestions for book two?

So far we have had two Rumer Godden suggestions - Black Narcissus and The Greengage Summer.

We had a huge list of author suggestions upthread didn’t we? I’d be happy with anything from any of them to be honest!

Just arrived, just starting. You lot were right, the print is so small! Funny that all my books as a child were in the same print, seems very old fashioned.

My copy arrived today (joys of buying from Blackwells, by the time a delivery arrives I've forgotten I was expecting it and so it's a little present to myself from my past self). I've read the first chapters and loving it so far.

Would be very happy with either of the Rumer Godden options next month. Like Penelope Lively I loved her children's books but haven't explored the adult books but they have been on my wishlist (the step behind TBR) for a while.