📚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.

I have just downloaded London Belongs to Me to my Kindle. Was it on here that it was being recommended? I've lost track now. Have others read it?

The Blessing is better than Wigs on the Green !

I read it, @MotherofPearl , when it was recommended on here (by @Terpsichore i think.) It was utterly marvellous. You will love it.

I haven't read any Mitford so not sure but what about the pursuit of love?

Thanks @StellaOlivetti. I'm looking forward to it a lot.

It sounds like a Mitford would be okay with everyone? Shall we go for @BadSpellaSpellaSpella's suggestion of The Pursuit of Love? I have not read it but assumed others would have, which is why I suggested some of her less well known books.

I think The Pursuit of Love is quite short too, which is good considering we're very late this month.

We could line up The House in the Country for our next book after that?

Sorry, Playfair's A House in the Country.

Yes, MotherofPearl. That's fine with me.

I’m happy with that too. Look forward to discussing The Pursuit of Love soon!

Hello all, I heard you were doing The Pursuit of Love and hurried over to join you! One of my favourite ever books.

Ooh, @Tarahumara , I hope you were summoned from the 50 Books thread! 😊

Yes @Terpsichore!

Go Ask Alice
Black Like Me
Catch In The Rye
1984
Lord Of The Flies
Clockwork Orange
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy
84 Charing Cross Road
The World According to Garp
Beloved

Just discovered this book club, would love to join? Member of an in person book club for over 20 years but would love to dip in and out of these suggestions also. Off to track down The Pursuit of Love.....

Of course @maimeo You are very welcome.

Thanks @StellaOlivetti and I think @Terpsichore for the London Belongs To Me recommendation. I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

Is anyone still reading along? I think we'd agreed to read Playfair's House in the Country next, with discussion opening on 1 September, but I'm afraid that though I have a copy of the book, I've not made a start.

I happened to be reading it when we chose it so I've finished it, but happy to wait until everyone’s ready.

(just edited to say, glad you enjoyed London Belongs To Me, @MotherofPearl!)

Hello all! Yes, I've read it. Very luckily, my library reservation came through at the right time!
I don't mind waiting a bit either before we talk about it.

I have read it but also happy to wait until everyone’s ready to discuss.

Oh dear, just me then! I'll start the chat tomorrow but will be a bit late adding my own thoughts. Glad all the regulars are still reading along.

Glad to have discovered thw thread. Hopefully I can join on the next book. I have put it on watch and I will keep an eye on notifications.

What a great group! As an English teacher, I read a lot of current writers and classics (of course), but my comfort reads are Rosamunde Pilcher and Winston Graham. I’ve loved Pilcher’s ‘September’ this summer. ‘Coming Home’ and ‘The Shell Seekers’ are my all-time favourites though.

It's a great group. Thanks for your recommendations Chickoletta.

Im afraid I wasn’t able to get hold of a copy at a reasonable price, and no copy in our library. I was annoyed because it sounds right up my alley. I’m consoling myself with Dorothy Whipple’s short stories … all I have left of her oeuvre, and a Miss Read. My personal life is in disarray at the moment, and Miss Read is a great comfort. Thank goodness for books, is what I say.

I thought that would be me, Stella, that I wouldn't be taking part in this one.
I hope things look up for you soon 🌼