📚The Mumsnet 'Rather Dated' Book Group - All welcome to join📚

[MotherofPearl]

Welcome to the Mumsnet 'Rather Dated' Book Group, where we read and discuss 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.

Previous posters 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 read one book a month. Our first book, that inspired the original thread, was The Road to Lichfield by Penelope Lively. We have been going for about 18 months now, and each new book gets its own discussion thread, started on the first of the month.

Our March 2024 book is Penelope Fitzgerald's The Bookshop. We will begin the discussion of this on 1 April.

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 hope Antarcticant, who started the last thread, won’t mind that I’ve started this new one.

No, we haven't read The Constant Nymph yet.

Oh dear my brain.

I think we discussed it but plumped for The Feast, perhaps because of the storyline of the very young heroine and the older man….but I guess that’s what makes it Rather Dated!

Exactly! I think we mentioned that there was a film of The Constant Nymph.

I must’ve read it off my own bat, but v happy to read again.

Oh dear, my earlier post was meant to start with Hello Fellow Rather Dated… Serves me right for typing posts whilst getting off a train.

I’m open to other suggestions of course, and the title of The Constant Nymph has always slightly put me off, but I so loved The Feast that I’m keen to try another Kennedy.

Just looked back on your first post Mother! 'Fellow fellow' to you too 😉
I must admit to feeling a bit intrigued by Nymph and would like to read it. I don't mind though if others have read it before or don't want to.

I am in the south of France listening to the grasshoppers, it’s half past nine and still quite hot; I’m sitting in the garden with The New House by Lettice cooper. It’s marvellous … has anyone else has read it?

No, Stella, but I'll look it up. Would you recommend* *it for the group?
Enjoy your holiday!

Gosh, that’s a funny coincidence - I’ve just started The New House! And, bizarrely, also off to the south of France for my summer holiday in a couple of weeks.

I’ve got a copy of The New House but not read it yet.

I’m really enjoying it and it would fit in very well with the rather dated ethos,@FuzzyCaoraDhubh

We could do The New House now and save The Constant Nymph as the next one?

'The New House' isn't on Kindle, but there are two copies in the library. It's too expensive on WOB.

I'll see if I can get a copy from the library.

I’ve read The New House but still have my copy and very happy to read it again

Just to say that The New House is Persephone Book No. 47 and if you go to the Persephone website there is a beautifully illustrated write up about it...
Warning: you may feel the need to pop a copy in your basket along with one or two others! I can never resist so have to limit my visits.

My copy of 'The New House' is available for collection at the library, so we can go ahead with this as our book of the month if everyone is happy to proceed :)

Great! I’d love to. I’ve finished and have started another Persephone title, The Expendable Man.

Great! What date do we want to start our discussion? I could be ready for August.

Thanks Fuzzy. I’ve made a good start on The New House and can be ready to discuss in August.

I finished this tonight. It was good! I enjoyed it. I think it makes for a good book to read on holiday as the pace is leisurely. Looking forward to our discussion. There's a lot in it!

I’ve also finished it Fuzzy, and looking forward to hearing what everyone made of it. I liked it a lot.

I was convinced I’d read it but on examination it turns out I was thinking of another book entirely 🫣 However, I’m now romping through it and should be finished fairly soon (although this month's Dombey & Son chapters have to take priority)

Ooh ohh I read the New House and loved it! Although it was 10 years ago and can't remember it that well. But so happy to think of other people enjoying it! 😊