The 1900 to 1950 Readathon discussion

A thread to discuss recommendations for this challenge!

Nevil Shute and James Hilton both wrote books about the effects of the world wars - I especially like Random Harvest by James Hilton and Requiem for a Wren by Nevil Shute :-)

Oops just checked and Requiem for a Wren wasn't published until 1955, sorry!

Nevil Shute - I had to read On the Beach (1957) as a freshman in high school and it haunted me for a long time.

I am going to read Henrietta's War

I'm going to go with either/both of Saplings by Noel Streatfeild (1945) and Despised and Rejected by Rose Allatini (1918) for this one.

I'd highly recommend Berlin Finale by Heinz Rein (1947) and Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada (1947) - both five star reads for me.

Does the book for this prompt have to be a book about war? Or just written during war times? Thanks :)

Janice wrote: "Does the book for this prompt have to be a book about war? Or just written during war times? Thanks :)"

I believe it has to be about one of the wars, but it's okay if it was written afterwards.

I realized this morning that I have Wharton's A Son at the Front in my library waiting to be read...so I'll read that one to cover both the war & from my own country challenges.

L.M Montogmery wrote Rilla of Ingleside which occurs during WW1 and is I think the only novel in Canada written by a women who lived through the war about how the women back home got through it. I plan on reading it next month finally.

I'd like to read "All quiet on the Western Front" but so far I could not find a copy in my native language (that's Spanish) and I really want to read it in it, so I'm not sure if I'm going to pick a different book or if I'm going to read that one in English

Betina wrote: "I'd like to read "All quiet on the Western Front" but so far I could not find a copy in my native language (that's Spanish) and I really want to read it in it, so I'm not sure if I'm going to pick ..."

It looks like there is a 2009 translation titled "Sin novedad en el frente" which is available as an amazon ebook. They don't list a translator, which is slightly concerning, though.

Thank you Libby! I'll check that out, it could be fine :)

Amelia wrote: "Oops just checked and Requiem for a Wren wasn't published until 1955, sorry!"
Nevil Shute wrote five novels that are set in WWII that were published between 1942 and 1950. "Landfall: A Channel Story", "Pied Piper", "Most Secret", "The Chequer Board", and "A Town Like Alice".

Testament of Youth. I had planned on reading it and this seems to be a good way to do so.

Libby wrote: "Janice wrote: "Does the book for this prompt have to be a book about war? Or just written during war times? Thanks :)"

I believe it has to be about one of the wars, but it's okay if it was written..."

Thank you :)

Helen wrote: "L.M Montogmery wrote Rilla of Ingleside which occurs during WW1 and is I think the only novel in Canada written by a women who lived through the war about how the women back home got through it. I ..."

I haven't read that books in years. I have all of the Anne of Green Gables series. Is it ok if I "steal" your idea for my book prompt for #5? :)

Would Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky count for this challenge?
I’d say yes because she wrote it during the 1940s during the occupation of France. The manuscripts were only discovered decades later and published in 2004.

I wanted to read Etty Hillesum: An interrupted Life, diaries (1941-1943). They were obviously written in those years but published much later.
Etty Hillesum was killed in Auschwitz so it would be fitting .

What do you think?

I am sure I will find a good book to read that takes place during WW1 or WW2, most hopefully WW1. In addition, I have my Grandfather’s handwritten journal from when he was in the military during WW1 in France. I have pictures in an album he put together with captions (and I have the negatives) although I lent the album to my Uncle (his youngest son, not to worry it is in safe hands). My Grandfather was in France until the war ended and then stayed on in France to live and study at The University of Grenoble. He also climbed Mt. Blanc while there.

I shared one page of the journal that happened to be written 100 years ago, on my Facebook page a while back, and many of my friends and family went nuts over it! One of my friends is an extremely avid reader and history buff and he had some incredible things to say about it that I never would have imagined! He said something about the band my Grandfather saw perform and the singer possibly connected to Hemingway? And how he probably avoided the Spanish Flu back in Chicago by staying on in France.

My Grandfather was quite detailed with what he wrote in his journal. I believe I have letters from that time too. He corresponded with the family he stayed with In Grenoble too, as I have letters from them in French. He ended up with a PhD in Botany and a University Professor at a few Universities in the US, and ultimately a decades long Professor at USC and Head of his Department. Anyways, I would like to do research on all my Grandfather wrote in his WW1 journal and perhaps add research to his journal and have it published someday. I just don’t know how to go about it all.

Bonnie wrote: "I am sure I will find a good book to read that takes place during WW1 or WW2, most hopefully WW1. In addition, I have my Grandfather’s handwritten journal from when he was in the military during WW..."

That sounds amazing Bonnie, how fantastic to have something like that from a close relative. The history of it all is interesting enough but to have that personal connection too must make it all the more special!

Helen wrote: "L.M Montogmery wrote Rilla of Ingleside which occurs during WW1 and is I think the only novel in Canada written by a women who lived through the war about how the women back home got through it. I ..."

Thanks! I've been making my way through the Anne books and I was hoping to include this one--I'm up to Rilla as now--for the readathon but I didn't know it worked for this challenge.

Alina wrote: "I wanted to read Etty Hillesum: An interrupted Life, diaries (1941-1943). They were obviously written in those years but published much later.
Etty Hillesum was killed in Auschwitz so it would be f..."

Yes, you're very welcome to read something written at that time but published later!

For this one I'm thinking of Darkness Falls from the Air by Nigel Balchin written during the blitz, Memoirs of an Infantry Officer by Siegfried Sassoon semi autobiographical novel of his time in the trenches, and I have Saplings by Noel Streatfeild so maybe that.

The iconic musical, The Sound of Music, was released when I was a girl. I did not see the movie until years later when it came to TV. However, I read Maria Von Trapp's The Story of the Trapp Family Singers and recommend it.

So, on my shelf, I have Georg Von Trapp's WWI memoir, To The Last Salute: Memories Of An Austrian U-Boat Commander. This book will do nicely.

Would the book Animal Farm qualify? It is an allegory for the Russian revolution.

Some ideas for WW I:
One of Ours by Willa Cather is a moving novel about WW I, and was written in the 1920s.
The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West is a powerful WW I book, and quite short (under 100 pages).
Fighting France. from Dunkerque to Belport by Edith Wharton (nonfiction/essays) is a series of articles she wrote while traveling with the troops in war-time France.

I loved The Return of the Soldier a wonderful book.

@Kathy and @Tania So glad to hear you guys have enjoyed The Return of the Soldier! I'm picking it up for both the 1910s decade and the WWI prompts :D

Alice wrote: "Helen wrote: "L.M Montogmery wrote Rilla of Ingleside which occurs during WW1 and is I think the only novel in Canada written by a women who lived through the war about how the women back home got ..."

I love the Anne of Green Gables series and have read them many times!!! <3

Nada wrote: "@Kathy and @Tania So glad to hear you guys have enjoyed The Return of the Soldier! I'm picking it up for both the 1910s decade and the WWI prompts :D"

Great. I look forward to hearing what you think of it.

Janice wrote: "Alice wrote: "Helen wrote: "L.M Montogmery wrote Rilla of Ingleside which occurs during WW1 and is I think the only novel in Canada written by a women who lived through the war about how the women ..."

Me, too, Janice, and Rilla of Ingleside is one of my favorites. I believe almost everything L.M. Montgomery wrote would qualify for the 1900-1950 time period. Another favorite of mine by her is The Blue Castle (1926).

Libby wrote: "Janice wrote: "Alice wrote: "Helen wrote: "L.M Montogmery wrote Rilla of Ingleside which occurs during WW1 and is I think the only novel in Canada written by a women who lived through the war about..."

I can't remember Rilla of Ingleside because it's been a while since I read it. I think you are correct that it is the only novel written by a Canadian female author who loved through WW1. I read The Blue Castle for the first time this past summer and loved it!!! I didn't think I would love a book by L.M. Montgomery that was not based on Anne.

Hello. I'm Gelli and these are my list for the 1900 to 1950 readathon this month of May.

5. Read a work of literature published 1900-1950 set during or exploring WWI or WWII
The Diary Of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (1947)

Tasha wrote: "Would Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky count for this challenge?
I’d say yes because she wrote it during the 1940s during the occupation of France. The manuscripts were only discovered decades ..."

I think it's an excellent suggestion. I have just read her very short set of 2 novellas (Le Bal and Snow in Autumn) and I absolutely loved it so I think I might pick this one :)

A few recommendations
Goodbye to All That (1929) by Robert Graves. A brilliant memoir by the author of I, Claudius. His writing about his experiences on the Western Front in WW1 (including reading his own obituary) is memorable and graphic.
The Slaves of Solitude by Patrick Hamilton This is the story of a woman who leaves london during the Blitz and retreats to a claustrophobic boarding house in a thinly disguised Henley on Thames. It is Hamilton's best book after Hangover Square. Hamilton is probably my favourite 20th Century author. He is also the writer responsible for the phrase "gaslighting" as he is the author of the play Gaslight.

I've been enjoying reading some of the war adventure books by Hammond Innes. They are a bit macho and the plots almost always go banana-pants but I think they are fun.
Also the books I'm going to mention, were written and published during WW2 at a time when the British didn't know if they were going to win,
Attack Alarm is set on an RAF base during the Battle of Britain and is inspired by the author's stint as an anti-aircraft gunner.
Wreckers Must Breathe features a plucky lady novelist living.in Cornwall. I like to think it's a portrait of Daphne du Maurier or Agatha Christie

TRP wrote: "A few recommendations
Goodbye to All That (1929) by Robert Graves. A brilliant memoir by the author of I, Claudius. His writing about his experiences on t..."

I second The Slaves of Solitude, a brilliant novel.

I have Goodbye to All That here, but haven't read it yet. I'll see if I can fit it in.

I just finished Testament of Youth and it’s a strong recommended. Excellent.

Finished Soldiers' Pay (1926) by William Faulkner
His first published novel. About a WW1 airman returning home.
It is a bit uneven and there is a particularly hateful character in it but I like me some Faulkner

I finished To The Last Salute: Memories Of An Austrian U-Boat Commander. This was a from the conning tower and through the periscope look at the WWI U-boat (submarine) campaigns in the Adriatic and Mediterranian Seas. Captain von Trapp (the dad in The Sound of Music) is a highly likable, esteemed, and decorated commander and his style reminds me of Captain Kirk because he is so clever and does not seem to believe in the no-win scenario.

I've finished The Crowded Street by Winifred Holtby (1924). This novel covers a woman's life in a Yorkshire village from 1900 (age 10) until 1920 (age 30). The War is a distant reality, but not ignored, in the novel. There is a distinct shift in society after the war, and we see the characters adapt to a changing Britain.

Kathy wrote: "I've finished The Crowded Street by Winifred Holtby (1924). This novel covers a woman's life in a Yorkshire village from 1900 (age 10) until 1920 (age 30). The War is a distant reali..."
I've put this on my TBR. It put me in mind of another book I read a few years ago, Miss Clare Remembers by Miss Read. WWI features prominently in the storyline with regard to how it affects those at home. I think WWII plays a role as well in that the village hosts numerous refugees from London.

(WWI) - Just finished, A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway. A great novel about the tragedy of war. I gave it five stars.

I finished "Good evening, Mrs. Craven: The War-Time Stories of Mollie Panter-Downes" for this challenge and really liked most of the stories.
The author was from an upper-class background which was reflected in her stories. Hearing from the evacuees or poorer people themselves would have been nice. But altogether, Mollie Panter-Downes managed to catch the atmosphere of WW II England very well.