mollie, you're not asking for much are you?!

These days 'hip' women in the UK don't sit about taking 'afternoon tea', although their grandmother's may, and if my DD is anything to go by, in her 20's, living in London where it is all happening they read trash, and books about shopping are not really 'English' (think The Devil Wears Prada it could be set in any large city).

To feel you are in England the obvious writers are Joanna Trollope, Rosamunde Pilcher or maybe Sarah Challis. They could be described as the 'top end' of the woman's mag' type of literature.
Then there are Angela Lambert, Laurie Graham . . .her Gone with the Windsors should be out in the US soon, Elizabeth Buchan, Angela Carter or Deborah Moggach, although they don't only write about England.
Another group might include Rachel Billington, Margaret Drabble, Margaret Forster, A E Byatt. I think these females are mostly Oxford educated, married to writers and probably are unsure where the shops are.
'Contemporary' England is obviously light-years away from Thomas Hardy and even Barbara Pym, Thirkell et al are very dated.
Sorry if I've shattered your bubble!

Veer,
I realize my message sounded like I am a little strange. Of course, I know the authors I mentioned are dated, and I am ready to try contemporary fiction. I know there are a lot of Americans who have read all of Austen, the Brontes, Hardy, Pym, even 18th century writers and others of the 19th century, etc., and now I would like some "good" writing from the present. Not trashy stuff, but novels that will be around and considered good literature for decades.
I really appreciate your giving me the names of authors and books and I will try them for sure. There must be a way to find such information online, but I'm not sure how to search for exactly what I want.
I lived in Cornwall in the 70s, and we considered it many years behind the times. It was almost pastoral. We did visit London several times, and I've been there in recent years, so I know the contrast.
Now, I know the English still love their tea!!! And everyone must go to the fruiterer every now and then. I suppose American-like supermarkets are big there now. I wonder if English wives (or anyone) get so tired of making menus, shopping and hauling it all home to unload and eventually to cook and then clean up.
Perhaps the subject that would cover what I am looking for would be "coping." Ha.
Than you again. Would love to hear more from you.

mollie, I do know what type of books you mean. Shes not British, but Kaye Gibbons writes many books such as you are thinking about. "On the Occassion of my Last Afternoon" is probably my favorite. As far as other authors like Pym, I can think of a few: the novels of Jill Payton Walsh are often set in Cornwall, and might be what you are looking for. Also then there is the book about the woman who sells her home and moves off to Cornwall much to the distress of her children (Vera Brittan? Veer, I bet you'd know) Then there is Eliz Von Armin who writes delightful novels that if they don't feel English they at least feel European. Mary Wesley and Margot Livesly are two other English writers that fit that vein. A writer from Pym's time is Norah Loft. She mainly writes historical fiction, but its wonderful reading.

Mollie, you might also want to try Elizabeth Buchan. Her 'breakout' book was Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman a couple of years ago (a sequel, Wives Behaving Badly is on the way) and she's written several others (less hyped) that I really liked. Everything She Thought She Wanted shifts back and forth between an Englishwoman in the 1950s and another in the present day, each facing significant life choices. Consider the Lily was another one I enjoyed, a love triangle set in the 1930s. I've liked all the Buchan books I've read so far.

In fairness, though, it's very hard to think of any writer just like Barbara Pym.

This might not fit the category, but have you tried Nancy Mitford? The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate are two of my very favorite books.

Cindy, you might be thinking of Marcia Willet, your plot description sounds a lot like A Week in Winter (another book I liked).

Vee, I think these females are mostly Oxford educated, married to writers and probably are unsure where the shops are. LOL!!!

Veer, Cindy and Sheriz,
That is exactly the kind of information I've been looking for! Thank you, thank you! You know that finding good reading is almost a matter of life and death.
For the last 16 years I have lived in a podunk town in Arkansas where the poor little library is sorely underfunded, and I prefer to purchase only reference-type books and not novels as they are so expensive. I can interlibrary loan books for $2 a pop from a local teeny university, but I guess it is worth it. Think I will also check the online catalog at the library in the next town.
If you think of more titles/authors, please send! Where did you learn about these authors?
My DD and niece read good literature and no trashy stuff (that I know of). Also, my DD does cook healthy and tasty meals as she is a dancer, but I would say most young women, brides and others, do not cook. I assume it is the same in England? This is off-topic I guess and hope it doesn't offend, but values and lifestyles do influence reading. You remember what Bob Dylan sang.....you know, the changing bit...
Thank you again SO MUCH!

I love Norah Lofts! Her books are hard to find these days and I could kick myself for getting rid of the ones that I had years ago.
My favorites of hers are the ones that began with The Old House...I have been trying to collect them again to read in order which reminds me I need to ck them to see what I have and what I still need...This series starts with a house built in the 15th century and all the people and their lives that live in that house, how they remodel and what the house beomes by the 20th century-loved the series!

Pat

The discussion here has been interesting, as I am looking forward to a 10-day trip to England, Ireland, and Scotland late next month. It's a student-oriented trip, so you can imagine how fast we'll be seeing the sights, but I do feel like I want to put myself in the mood for Great Britain. I am reading Three Junes right now, and as parts of it are set in Scotland, I feel as though I am preparing for my coming journey. I'm definitely going to look into some of the other titles/authors mentioned here.

>Marcia Willet, your plot description sounds a lot like A Week in Winter (another book I liked).

Mmm, thats not it, however, it looks like one I want to read!

mollie, before the internet, I scanned through NYTimes Book Review, and catalogues such as Common Reader, Blas Bleu, Daedulus. I also got recommendations from other reading friends and book groups. Plus, I browsed, all of the time, seeking out something different. Now, I find titles online via this group and two others I am on, and they in turn have sent me to other areas to find books I am looking for. The world is my library now, you might say.

>I love Norah Lofts!

This was one of those lucky finds. A friend and I were in a used bookstore and she found 'Bless This House' (which I think is the title of your book), said oh Cindy I bet you'd like this. I did, and I was hooked. I've read Wayside Tavern, Townhouse, How Far to Bethlehem, Crown of Aloes and some of her books about queens. Her ability to present history into her fiction is seamless, and rarely if ever gets something off or wrong. Plus they are all wonderful stories. Very much recommended!

BTW Pat, most of her books have been from Library sales, so if you don't mind the library markings on them you should be able to get them. And then of course there is ABE, one of the best places on the net to look for used and out of print books.

mollie-once you find an author you like, you might try paperbackswap to acquire the books.

I think your statement that young woemn don't cook is too sweeping. my DD is 22 and she and all her friends cook-they have to or they'd starve-they can't afford to eat out all the time and enjoy the challenge of making healthy tasty on a budget. In fact, she requested copies of many of my recipes and made up a book of them. Not that they don't all stop home when they are in the area for each others' weddings, birthdays, graduations, etc., to stock up on home cooking-and leftovers packed to be transported! When I know they are coming I do up a vat of homemade pasta sauce and my special mac and cheese, as I know they'll be requested.

Mollie, I don't think I can be of much use re.'coping' novels, although I'm sure that we could all write one ourselves!
The type of books that deal with domestic matters, cooking, children, husbands etc are very unlikely to become 'literature' in the sense you mean.

I read very few girlie novels, but have dipped into Judy Astley's work just as a light 'summer holiday' read.
Her books are rather formulaic but entertaining and mostly centre around some middle-class woman, living in a pleasant London suburb . . . and then various themes. Straying husbands, bossy M-in-L's, difficult teenage children (and she really does modern English kids very well) holidays in Cornwall, hippy friends etc.
She wisely write about what she knows and doesn't attempt for eg racial problems in Northern inner-cities slums . . .the sort of despressing work enjoyed by liberal-minded critics but not by the average 'punter'.

Sheri, re your recommendation for Nancy Mitford and Mollie's 'domestic' theme. If you read Hons and Rebels by Jessica Mitford she mentions that the only housework the six daughters were ever expected to perform, under Nanny's watchful eye, was to fold up their nighties and put them under their pillows every morning.:-)

Pat, I was 'introduced' to the works of Norah Lofts in the '60's when staying with friends in Suffolk. They knew her while she was living in Bury St Edmunds and her 'House at Old Vine' series was based on that town (to any US traveller to the UK a most attractive town with some beautiful houses and a Cathedral saved from the abbey ruins).

Mollie, it is certainly true that many people over here don't cook 'proper' meals and rely on fast-food. Of course it must be said that supemarkets do offer 'short-cut- cookery' where veggies are ready washed/prepared, or chicken comes in legs/breast/wings etc rather than a whole bird and all this can be put together to form a meal.
Perhaps this is just sanitised cookery, but at least it means, as cece says that my DD can come home from work and prepare a nourishing meal quickly.
The first DS is now married to a Japanese girl so cookery has now become a Fine-Art in their home.

Did anyone read an article about a cross US/UK medical survey which found that top white income earners in the US were less healthy than white bottom-income families in the UK, despite the $$$$'s spent on medical care by the 'privileged classes' in the US and the UK using the creaking National Health system.
I was sent this info as a newspaper cutting by a US friend and had seen it in our English daily paper.

Cindy I think Vera Brittan wrote on sad themes such as loss of her brother and men friends during WW1 and rather'heavy' Socialist stuff (her daughter became the well-known Labour
MP, Shirley Williams). As to whether they went to Cornwall or not . . .!

Here is a link that might be useful: Judy Astley

Vee, I saw that article. It has to be down to our fast food mania, large portions, and lack of exercise. Suburbia doesn't lend itself to walking. Many developments don't have sidewalks, and shops are not within walking distance.

In my city, a new development is underway using "old Louisville" style houses and townhouses of differing price ranges and incorporating a neighborhood concept with drugstores, dry cleaners, small grocery stores, barber shops, etc., and including rental apartments over the shops.

The advertising sketches in the newspaper look wonderful, but the only person I know who has bought a house there is a former boss who is a multi-millionaire. The development isn't finished yet, and it is on the other side of the city from me so I haven't been to see it yet; but it really sounds like a super idea if they will just remember that it won't work without regular people living there.

Thought not really contemporary since she's dead, but certainly modern, you might try Iris Murdoch.

For escapist brain candy ala Bridget Jones, have you read I Don't Know How She Does It or The Undomestic Goddess. Great beach books and totally fun(if you can read them as working woman fantasy and not as anti feminist).

One of my favorites more recently, though it is not set in modern England is Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. Wonderfully imaginative and a style reminiscent of George Eliot.

mollie,

I don't know if mysteries are your "cup of tea" but Hazel Holt writes cosy mysteries set in an English village with a mature widow as the main character. She is much like a modern day Miss Marple in that she uses gossip to learn information. Here are the titles, along with their "also published as" titles.

PAM

Mrs. Malory Investigates (1989)
APA Gone Away

The Cruellest Month (1991)

Mrs. MaloryÂs Shortest Journey (1992)
APA The Shortest Journey

Mrs. Malory and the Festival Murders (1993)
APA Uncertain Death

Mrs. Malory: Detective in Residence (1994)
APA Murder on Campus

Mrs. Malory Wonders Why (1995)
APA Superfluous Death

Mrs. Malory: Death of a Dean (1996)
APA Death of a Dean

Mrs. Malory and the Only Good Lawyer (1997)
APA The Only Good Lawyer

Mrs. Malory: Death Among Friends (1999)
APA Dead and Buried

Mrs. Malory and the Fatal Legacy (2000)
APA A Fatal Legacy

Mrs. Malory and the Lilies That Fester (2001)

Mrs. Malory and the Delay of Execution (2002)

Mrs. Malory and Death by Water (2003)
APA Leonora

Mrs. Malory and Death in Practice (2003)

Mrs. Malory and the Silent Killer (2004)

Mrs. Malory and No Cure for Death (2005)

Mrs. Mallory and a Death In the Family (due November 7, 2006)

Mollie - I have a few authors you might like that haven't been listed yet. One of my favorites is Katie Fforde - she lives in Cornwall and writes great fun reads. Think you would really like her work!

Also I adore D E Stevenson who is a woman writer from Scotland. Her books are old fashioned and gentle, but so dear to read. Full of everyday life, but I couldn't put them down. I find her work at estate sales and always snap up any I can find.

Mary Sheepshanks is the real author name behind Sophie Kinsella of Shopaholics series fame. Check out her earlier work and I think you'll enjoy the books. She made
mega bucks with Sophie Kinsella, but I prefer her earlier work.

Check out Rosamunde Pilcher's Book Shelf set up by her publisher (St. Martins Press) when she decided to retire from writing. She's got great recommendations. Also I love anything written by Maeve Binchy and Cathy Maxwell. They are Irish authors, but great ones to read. Also Marion Keyes is good.

Most of all, hope you'll try Katie Fforde - she's a treasure who needs to get more exposure!

Happy reading! Pippa