I thought it was about time I sent a reminder that The 1947 Club is on its way – and it’s time to start preparing!
Together with Karen/Kaggsy, I’m running the week-long event from 10-16 October, where we encourage everybody to read books published in 1947 and share their thoughts about them. Together, we’ll build up an overview of the year’s reading – having already had lovely success with the 1924 Club and the 1938 Club.
I think it’s always best when people explore their own shelves, but the 1947 in literature list on Wikipedia can also help as a starting point. But here are some of my tips (please forgive formatting issues with the reviews that were imported from my old blog)…
A View of the Harbour by Elizabeth Taylor
Sisters By A River by Barbara Comyns
Manservant and Maidservant by Ivy Compton-Burnett
Of Love and Hunger by Julian Maclaren-Ross
Abbie by Dane Chandos
but the best ones I’ve read so far are the phenomenal novels The Slaves of Solitude by Patrick Hamilton and One Fine Day by Mollie Panter-Downes. If you’re struggling for inspiration, I’d recommend those as a great start!
Do let me know any suggestions you’d particularly like to make, and whether or not you’re hoping to join in with the 1947 Club. Feel free to use the badge, and do spread the word!
I looked at that Wikipedia list a couple of weeks ago and thought it must not be a complete list. Several lovely books missing from that list. My problem will be I want to read more books than I can read during a normal working week (which it will be). I shall have: The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh
In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B Hughes
And
One Fine Day by Mollie Panter-Downes to choose between.
Though I am also very tempted to re-read Elizabeth Taylor’s A View of the Harbour.
Ali—Have you read Chatterton Square–i think you reviewed it?Ages ago?
Tina
I think there’s a lot of gems not mentioned! (Sadly The Loved One seems to be there in error, but I shan’t complain if people take Wikipedia as gospel.)
Lovely. I will definitely be taking part in this as the period is right up my street. In fact I’ve just reviewed a 1947 book on my blog — In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes. It was one of two reads for my book group last week, otherwise I could have saved it till October. Anyway, I’m delighted to say it was a huge hit with everyone in the group, probably one of our best successes to date!
That does sound like one to look out for – and one I’ve not heard about!
I’m really looking forward to this. Jacqui’s review has inspired me to read In a Lonely Place, and I’ll probably look at La Peste too.
hurrah! Great to have you joining in :)
Here are a few suggestions for you, Peter
Dr Faustus (T Mann), Under the Volcano (M Lowry), Whisky Galore (C Mackenzie), Great Northern (A Ransome),
Thanks v much Peter! I’d thought Whisky Galore was much earlier, so that’s interesting.
One of these days I will make it to one of these clubs… but not this time, I don’t think, although I love that period!
Fingers crossed you can squeeze in a short story or something!
Several great possibilities for me there from the TBR: Camus (The Plague) and the Patrick Hamilton would be the top of my list, with revisiting Waugh (Loved One) and the Hans Fallada (Alone in Berlin – alternative title) for back-up. I have the Dorothy B Hughes too now I come to think of it.
I’m very tempted to reread the Hamilton… but I should venture into pastures new :)
Very exciting Simon! There are so many good books from 1947 that I think people will really struggle to choose this time – I know I shall!
I thought I was going to struggle, but I have *so* many now! I’m going to keep some of them a surprise ;)
Hmm, I am going to choose one because that is always a fun process, especially since 1947 really hits my sweet spot. Whether I will read it by the appointed hour is another matter entirely.
I believe in you Thomas ;)
Evelyn Waugh’s The Loved One was not published until 1948. It first appeared in Horizon magazine (February) and later in book form. If you’re looking for a book by Waugh from 1947, Scott-King’s Modern Europe would qualify. It was published in that year in London. Also his booklet Wine in Peace and War appeared in that year but was never reprinted. Scott-King has been reprinted several times in collections.
Yes indeed – I talked about that on Mookse’s podcast recently. Someone needs to update the Wikipedia page!
The 1947 Pulitzer Prize-winner is “All the King’s Men” by Robert Penn Warren. He depicts a brutal political world, rife with ambition, lust for power, and corruption. I will re-read it for my club contribution. It doesn’t sound like much has really changed since then, huh?
Yes, how apt! I’m sure we’ll find some things have changed drastically since 1947 – but not that…
I think I’ve got a couple of books sorted for this…but I’m not telling anyone what they are as I like the surprise.
Good man! I’ve also kept quiet about my choices ;)
Love it! I will definitely be joining in. I have to take a look at the TBR piles for what to contribute!
Great, Melissa, glad to have you on board!
I missed the other ‘Clubs’ and I am excited to have made this one :) I really enjoyed researching titles as it put lots of interesting books on my radar. My list:
~A Girl in Winter-Philip Larkin
~One Fine Day-Mollie Panter-Downs
~The Slaves of Solitude-Patrick Hamilton
~Final Curtain-Ngaio Marsh
Great list – I’m sure someone will be keen to read the Ngaio Marsh, for starters!
All the books that attracted me here are ones I’ve already read, although I do now fancy a re-read of Arthur Ransome, with Great Northern coming in that week, I wonder if I can manage that!
I can only come up with Angela Thirkell-Private Enterprise.
Pity Monica Dickens wrote books either side of 1947.
I know! I thought the same about Ivy Compton-Burnett. I do always end up finding lots of books I want to read either year of the year in question.
CHATTERTON SQUARE—YAH!!!!by EH YOUNG is my choice–needs a re read..
Tina
should read YAY.
Adding now: oops, a copy of Chatterton Square seems to have become ordered …
I am usually slow on the uptake if i have to think of titles but am pleased to mention a 1947 book i actually own and love.CHATTERTON SQUARE all the way!!!!
Tina
Great choice – and thank you. I hadn’t got to Y yet in updating my LibraryThing books’ publication dates, so I’d have missed this one.
I normally struggle to find a relevant title and feel stupid.But every dog has its day!!!I will stop trying to say YAY and be trendy but i do like it when you say things like “i love me a piece of Richmal Crompton”.
Tina
I might finally read the copy I bought about 10 years ago :)
Well, that’s the week we’re planning to move halfway across the country, but I’ll try! I have a book to read, and I have reviewed both One Fine Day and A View from the Harbour, so I’ll go through my reviews and make up a list for the club. Thanks, Simon!
Lovely, Kay, thanks :) And I hope the move goes v well!
Yay! I participated in 1938 club book reading and now gearing up for 1947 version of this readalong. I am yet to decide my book though. Excited!
Siri
Brilliant, Siri!
I’m definitely in! I only have one unread 1947 book on my shelves, Chatterton Square by E. H. Young, though. I read Sisters by a River in July not realizing it was a 1947 title as I would’ve saved it for Oct. I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone else reads and reviews! :)
Ain’t that just the way! And Chatterton Square is on my list – and coming to Italy with me tomorrow. I’ve had it for 9 years now, so it’s about time!
I have one re-read and one new (to me) planned – and already ordered! (Both transaltions)
Looking forward to it!
Can’t wait to see what they are :)
May I suggest a really wonderful novel called The Mountain Lion by Jean Stafford? It is fantastic and I’d love to see someone give it a try. Since I’ve already read it I will have to find something else. I am leaning towards a children’s classic, I think.
Thank you! I was racking my brain to come up with something (library here on the military base has a pretty limited selection of backlist titles) and I actually have this unread on the shelves already!
Oo yes, thanks for the recommendation!
Ma trawl of my bookshops isn’t offering up many choices ( good reason to go shopping???). So far I have a choice of Elizabeth Taylor A View of the Harbour or Evelyn Waugh The Loved One but I’d really prefer to read something. In translatin if possible. Suggestions (other than Camus)!would be welcome
Thomas Mann, maybe?? Hopefully you’ll find a few good suggestions in this thread – but also an EXCELLENT excuse to go shopping :)
Thanks Simon. I’m hoping to join in with An Intelligent Man’s Guide to the Post-War World by G D H Cole and Henry Wade’s New Graves at Great Norne. They were both members of the Detection Club in the early years, and I’ve recently become interested in how there’s just a few of those writers still very celebrated, and the rest almost forgotten.
Great suggestions! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on them. I always like the detective fiction additions to each ‘club’.
As I’ll be away from the internet next week, I’ve posted my contribution a little early – Philip Larkin’s a Girl in Winter, which I loved:
https://jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2016/10/04/a-girl-in-winter-by-philip-larkin/
Sounds like this event is going to be a popular one so I hope all goes well!
Turns out I’ve reviewed three other books from 1947: The Slaves of Solitude, Of Love and Hunger and In a Lonely Place. Not sure if you’re planning to collate historical links as well, but if so they’re all tagged with #1947Club on my blog.