Reading the 20th Century discussion

It's time to nominate for our June 2025 group read


For June 2025 we invite you to nominate anything written in, or set in, the 1990s


Please supply the title, author, a brief synopsis, and anything else you'd like to mention about the book, and why you think it might make a good book to discuss.


Happy nominating

I'd like to nominate a book I've wanted to read for a long time.

Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson

Jesus' Son, the first collection of stories by Denis Johnson, presents a unique, hallucinatory vision of contemporary American life unmatched in power and immediacy and marks a new level of achievement for this acclaimed writer. In their intensity of perception, their neon-lit evocation of a strange world brought uncomfortably close to our own, the stories in Jesus' Son offer a disturbing yet eerily beautiful portrayal of American loneliness and hope.

I was going to nominate Prozac Nation but seems it's out of print/not available on Kindle.

So I'll nominate Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen - it was first published in 1993 but is set in the late 1960s so if it doesn't count just let me know and I'll nominate something different:

In 1967, after a session with a psychiatrist she'd never seen before, eighteen-year-old Susanna Kaysen was put in a taxi and sent to McLean Hospital. She spent most of the next two years on the ward for teenage girls in a psychiatric hospital as renowned for its famous clientele--Sylvia Plath, Robert Lowell, James Taylor, and Ray Charles--as for its progressive methods of treating those who could afford its sanctuary.

Kaysen's memoir encompasses horror and razor-edged perception while providing vivid portraits of her fellow patients and their keepers. It is a brilliant evocation of a "parallel universe" set within the kaleidoscopically shifting landscape of the late sixties. Girl, Interrupted is a clear-sighted, unflinching documnet that gives lasting and specific dimension to our definitions of sane and insane, mental illness and recovery.

Great choice, Ben - I'd like to try Johnson.

Two great nominations to get us started 👏🏼

I remember getting totally immersed in Prozac Nation. Amazed it’s now out of print

I'll nominate What a Carve Up! by Jonathan Coe published in 1994 but set in the 1980's.

A wickedly funny take on life under the Thatcher government by the prize-winning author of Middle England.

It is the 1980s and the Winshaw family are getting richer and crueller by the year:

Newspaper-columnist Hilary gets thousands for telling it like it isn't. Henry's turning hospitals into car parks. Roddy's selling art in return for sex. Down on the farm Dorothy's squeezing every last pound from her livestock. Thomas is making a killing on the stock exchange; and Mark is selling arms to dictators.

But once their hapless biographer Michael Owen starts investigating the family's trail of greed, corruption and immoral doings, the time growing ripe for the Winshaws to receive their comeuppance . . .

Ooh, that sounds fun, Susan - I've been meaning to explore Coe's back catalogue.

Three great nominations, people, any of which I'd read.

Nigeyb wrote: "I remember getting totally immersed in Prozac Nation. Amazed it’s now out of print"

I remember seeing it everywhere in the 1990s but was too young to be interested then. I picked it up second hand so will be reading it anyway but that's not ideal for a group nomination.

I love Coe but have not read What a Carve Up! so I'll probably not nominate and get behind that one. That said my library has the Johnson and it's short. And the Susanna Kaysen looks fab too.

Spoilt for choice as always

I was thinking of The Emigrants (1992) by W.G. Sebald, as I really enjoyed previous forays into the world of WGS but conclude I'll probably be the only who votes for it 🤠

I have the Sebald on my TBR and suspect you wouldn't be the only one to vote, he's amazing. But your choice, of course. I'm often surprised at which book wins the poll.

I nominate Gut Symmetries by Jeanette Winterson. Winterson explores rather meditates, inviting readers to explore their own experience. This book may appeal to readers of general literature, science, science fiction. general nonfiction.

Three books I might have nominated myself so I'll hang fire . .I'm spoilt for choice .

Roman Clodia wrote: "I have the Sebald on my TBR and suspect you wouldn't be the only one to vote, he's amazing. But your choice, of course. I'm often surprised at which book wins the poll."


Hmmm. Food for thought. Like you I already have a copy of The Emigrants

I also have five Anita Brookner books that I own but have yet to read that were all published in the 1990s and was musing about one of them. You can't go wrong with AB.

Anyway, you've convinced me RC, Sebald is, as you say, amazing. I'll nominate....


The Emigrants (1992)

by

W.G. Sebald


At first The Emigrants appears simply to document the lives of four Jewish émigrés in the twentieth century. But gradually, as Sebald's precise, almost dreamlike prose begins to draw their stories, the four narrations merge into one overwhelming evocation of exile and loss.

Written with a bone-dry sense of humour and a fascination with the oddness of existence The Emigrants is highly original in its heady mix of fact, memory and fiction and photographs.

Thanks Cynda, another enticing nomination - now we're really spoilt for choice




Nominations so far....

Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson (Ben)
irl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen (RC)
What a Carve Up! by Jonathan Coe (Susan)
Gut Symmetries by Jeanette Winterson (Cynda)
The Emigrants by W.G. Sebald (Nigeyb)

I had planned to nominate an Anita Brookner too but I’m going to hold off as I’d happily read any of these nominations.

I would like to nominate King-Lear-inspired A Thousand Acres byJane Smiley

Aging Larry Cook announces his intention to turn over his 1,000-acre farm—one of the largest in Zebulon County, Iowa—to his three daughters, Caroline, Ginny, and Rose. A man of harsh sensibilities, he carves Caroline out of the deal because she has the nerve to be less than enthusiastic about her father's generosity. While Larry Cook deteriorates into a pathetic drunk, his daughters are left to cope with the often grim realities of life on a family farm—from battering husbands to cutthroat lenders. In this winner of the 1992 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Smiley captures the essence of such a life with stark, painful detail.

Thanks Neer


I remember reading that one in the late 90s. Very good.


Nominations so far....

Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson (Ben)
irl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen (RC)
What a Carve Up! by Jonathan Coe (Susan)
Gut Symmetries by Jeanette Winterson (Cynda)
The Emigrants by W.G. Sebald (Nigeyb)
A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley (Neer)

Plenty of great nominations, but I'll add one more, just in case anyone is interested. It hasn't been long since I finished the Wolf Hall series, and already I'm craving more Hilary Mantel. So I'll nominate:

An Experiment in Love

Praised by Margaret Atwood and Zadie Smith, and winner of the 1996 Hawthornden Prize.

"... examines the pressures on women during the 1960s to excel--but not be too successful--in England's complex hierarchy of class and status. Pushed by a domineering mother, Carmel McBain climbs her way through the pecking order and ends up at London University as an acquiescent and undernourished teenager, achieving the status so desired by her mother, but too weak to make use of it or pose a threat to anyone."

I've just read that @Kathleen , prior to the Wolf Hall Trilogy , and can certainly recommend it .

Kathleen wrote: "Plenty of great nominations, but I'll add one more, just in case anyone is interested. It hasn't been long since I finished the Wolf Hall series, and already I'm craving more [author:Hilary Mantel|..."

We can never have too much Mantel - what a cornucopia of riches this month!

Thanks Kathleen



Nominations....

Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson (Ben)
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen (RC)
What a Carve Up! by Jonathan Coe (Susan)
Gut Symmetries by Jeanette Winterson (Cynda)
The Emigrants by W.G. Sebald (Nigeyb)
An Experiment in Love by Hilary Mantel (Kathleen)


What a selection

There's still time for more nominations


I'll get the poll up on Thursday morning (UK time)

Wow, some fantastic choices!

Hester wrote: "I've just read that @Kathleen , prior to the Wolf Hall Trilogy , and can certainly recommend it ."

Glad to hear it, Hester! It sounded good, and I really enjoyed this group's read of Beyond Black a while back.

Nigeyb wrote: "Thanks Kathleen



Nominations....

Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson (Ben)
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen (RC)
What a Carve Up! by Jonathan Coe (Susan)
Gut Symmetries by Jeanette Winterson (Cynda)
..."

I had submitted A Thousand Acres but I don't see it on this list.

Sorry Neer - I think I accidentally deleted it with my last pit bit of cut and pasting following Kathleen's nomination


It's reinstated now



Nominations....

Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson (Ben)
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen (RC)
What a Carve Up! by Jonathan Coe (Susan)
Gut Symmetries by Jeanette Winterson (Cynda)
The Emigrants by W.G. Sebald (Nigeyb)
A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley (Neer)
An Experiment in Love by Hilary Mantel (Kathleen)


There's still time for more nominations, poll going up tomorrow morning (UK time)

Nigeyb wrote: "Sorry Neer - I think I accidentally deleted it with my last pit bit of cut and pasting following Kathleen's nomination


It's reinstated now




Nominations....

Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson (Ben)
Gi..."



No problem, Nigeyb.

It's time to vote....



https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/3...



Nominations....

Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson (Ben)
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen (RC)
What a Carve Up! by Jonathan Coe (Susan)
Gut Symmetries by Jeanette Winterson (Cynda)
The Emigrants by W.G. Sebald (Nigeyb)
A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley (Neer)
An Experiment in Love by Hilary Mantel (Kathleen)

So many sterling choices I suspect there'll be some voting changes on my side once things get going!

Hilary M and her Experiment in Love out in front....



https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/3...



Nominations....

Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson (Ben)
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen (RC)
What a Carve Up! by Jonathan Coe (Susan)
Gut Symmetries by Jeanette Winterson (Cynda)
The Emigrants by W.G. Sebald (Nigeyb)
A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley (Neer)
An Experiment in Love by Hilary Mantel (Kathleen)

Hilary M and Jane Smiley neck and neck at the time of typing (three votes apiece)....



https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/3...



Nominations....

Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson (Ben)
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen (RC)
What a Carve Up! by Jonathan Coe (Susan)
Gut Symmetries by Jeanette Winterson (Cynda)
The Emigrants by W.G. Sebald (Nigeyb)
A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley (Neer)
An Experiment in Love by Hilary Mantel (Kathleen)

I've changed my vote and it's now a tussle at the top!

Good grief, from out of nowhere The Emigrants has surged into first place.


I've just switched my vote from Jonathan Coe to W.G. Sebald to make the lead even more commanding

I really didn't see that one coming

Are there more twists and turns?

Enjoying the play by play description of the voting! This is as much fun as reading the books.

We have a winner (and to my amazement it's)....



The Emigrants (1992)

by

W.G. Sebald





At first The Emigrants appears simply to document the lives of four Jewish émigrés in the twentieth century. But gradually, as Sebald's precise, almost dreamlike prose begins to draw their stories, the four narrations merge into one overwhelming evocation of exile and loss.

Written with a bone-dry sense of humour and a fascination with the oddness of existence The Emigrants is highly original in its heady mix of fact, memory and fiction and photographs.

With three votes apiece we could to buddy reads for the two runners up if those people want to read those books?


A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
An Experiment in Love by Hilary Mantel


Reply here and, if so, we can make it happen

I'd certainly be up for a buddy read of Jane Smiley if anyone else would like to join me

Nigeyb wrote: "We have a winner (and to my amazement it's)....The Emigrants (1992) by W.G. Sebald"

And to think you almost didn't nominate it...!

Hester wrote: "I'd certainly be up for a buddy read of Jane Smiley if anyone else would like to join me"

I'm going to pass for lack of time, Hester. I loved her novel The Greenlanders, which I remember reading while my pregnant wife slept next to me and I was huddled in blankets in a very cold attic bedroom in our first house and feeling in my bones the settlers struggling with the encroaching cold of Europe's Little Ice Age.

Hester wrote:


"I'd certainly be up for a buddy read of Jane Smiley if anyone else would like to join me"

Anyone up for joining Hester?




Roman Clodia wrote:

"And to think you almost didn't nominate The Emigrants (1992) by W.G. Sebald"

I know. It was only thanks to you that I was persuaded to do so. I still can't quite understand how it went from zero votes to winning so late in the poll. Alwynne got the ball rolling and then the other voters got behind it

Who votes for a book is definitely a deciding factor in voting for a book. There are great discussions in this group.

Hester wrote: "I'd certainly be up for a buddy read of Jane Smiley if anyone else would like to join me"

I'm going to pass this time too, Hester - this is based on King Lear, I think? Which sounds tempting but I've got so much I want to read, like Jack Kerouac and some Beat women.

Hester wrote: "I'd certainly be up for a buddy read of Jane Smiley if anyone else would like to join me"

I would like to.

Done deal


It only takes two for a buddy, though hopefully others will join in too

I enjoyed it when I read and know it should make for a good discussion


Here's the discussion thread....

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...