First it was 1924, then 1938, and now 1947 (yes, you may point out, that’s how chronology works. Shush, I say). Simon and Karen are hosting another year-themed reading event; from October 10th to 16th, they are encouraging us all to read and post about books published in 1947. And, miraculously, I am feeling vaguely prepared (this contrasts with the 1924 Club, which passed me by entirely, and the 1938 Club, for which I was only organized enough to talk about books I’d already read and then fail to finish the one book I was attempting to read – Nightingale Wood by Stella Gibbons. Not recommended.).
This time, I have a plan. I have a list. And, to show how serious I am, I have library holds. This is happening.
Here’s my reading short list (for now):
Chatterton Square by E.H. Young – I’ve owned this for a while now, having wanted to read it since Harriet reviewed it years ago.
The Chequer Board by Nevil Shute – any excuse for a Nevil Shute book is a good one.
Mrs. Tim Gets a Job by D.E. Stevenson – I love Mrs. Tim and read and enjoyed this a few years ago (though never got around to writing about it). I’d love to revisit her in time for the club – let’s hope my inter-library loan comes through in time to let me do so.
Mrs. Mike by Nancy and Benedict Freedman – a childhood favourite that I’d been thinking about rereading after finishing several other books set in the West. Providentially, it turns out to have been published in 1947.
Hetty Dorval by Ethel Wilson – a unread Persephone – set in my home province of British Columbia, no less! – that has been languishing on my shelf for too long.
Wanting to share reading suggestions, I looked through my old reading lists to discover I seem to have neglected 1947, with only three books from that year reviewed in my archives – and only one of them is particularly good:
One Fine Day by Mollie Panter-Downes – an exquisite post-war novel.
Private Enterprise by Angela Thirkell – An unwieldy post-war novel that requires strong knowledge of existing Thirkell characters. And even then it’s not brilliant (but I still enjoy it, having read it 3 times now).
Kate Hardy by D.E. Stevenson – instantly forgettable. I literally remember nothing about this book. But if you are fighting a very bad cold and have zero attention span, have I found a book for you!
Will you be joining the club? Any favourite 1947 books you’d recommend?
The Captive Reader 
Hetty Dorval is a nice short book, but I thought it was a fun read. What stayed with me after reading it was how beautiful British Columbia must be, and if it still looks like how it’s described, I’d love to move there.
It is very, very beautiful here, I can attest to that!
I wanna go now!
Excellent stuff. One Fine Day is just marvellous, isn’t it? Will be interested in your thoughts about ‘Mrs. Tim’ as I’ve been considering her!
I love Mollie Panter-Downes in all her various forms (novelist, journalist, short story writer) so I hope many people chose One Fine Day as their book for the club. It’s certainly the best book from 1947 I’ve come across!
Mrs. Tim, hooray! My mum is a big fan of DE Stevenson, and I keep intending to give more of her books a try! But I will miss out Kate Hardy, for sure.
Or, perversely, maybe start your D.E.S. reading with Kate Hardy? While it’s not technically her worst, you’d at least know you have many better books to look forward to!
I thought of CHATTERTON SQUARE and advised Simon and Kaggsy a few weeks ago.
Just re read ONE FINE DAY and liked it just as much as the first time.
I cannot think of more suggestions.
If the 1947 club just turns into an everyone-reads-One-Fine-Day club, I think the world would be a better place! Still, I’m excited by some variety and plan to start on Chatterton Square soon.
Well, I am shocked. Shocked. In my spreadsheet catalogue of books I own (not counting the basement, where I haven’t finished yet) I have 1238 books listed. Of which ONLY THE FOLLOWING were published in 1947.
Home Port – Olive Higgins Prouty
The Rose and the Yew Tree – Mary Westmacott
Full Moon – PGW
Kate Hardy – DES
Mrs Tim Gets a Job – DES
The Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank
Miracle on 34th Street – Valentine Davies.
And believe me, I have a lot of vintage books.
Slim pickings from such a large collection! Clearly not a bumper year for books.
Even more shocked, I then did a search in my Books Read spreadsheet (2010-2016) and found only 1 1947 book read since 2010. Home Port.
It makes me wonder, was it a year for books that didn’t really appeal to me?
(And now, having plenty else to do, I’m thinking about doing an analysis of books read/owned by year, to see what era does appeal to me, outside of all the new books I read as they come out.)
Very interesting. And I like your analysis idea. Do please share your findings, if you find the time to do it.
Monica Dickens and Sheila Kaye Smith “dodged” producing a book in 1947 but did publish the years before and after.Pity.
I know! I’ve checked about 20 favourite mid-century authors, all of whom cleverly managed not to publish anything in 1947. So rude.
Belatedly – thanks for this great preparation list! I am impressed 🙂 And I too would not be at all upset if it just turns into a One Fine Day readathon.
I hope I’ve joined the club!
http://www.gubbinal.com
My review will have to be a two or three parter, I think.