Roaring 1920’s Reads

If you are the kind of nerdy, history-loving reader who was thrilled that ringing in 2020 marked 100 years from the beginning of the roaring 20’s, you might have decided to read The Great Gatsby. As quarantine kicked in, you might have continued into other Scott Fitzgerald novels or branched out into a couple Agatha Christie mysteries. If you are still craving flappers, spats, glamour, and bee’s knees slang, here are a few lesser known classic authors who were also writing in the 1920’s to keep your reading streak going. Each of the authors I’m going to recommend writes in distinctly different genres, from mystery to philosophy, comedic farce to poetry, travel guides to children’s literature. I’ve read at least one book by each of them this year, though it must have been a subconscious pull as I didn’t realize the common theme until just now.

Dorothy Sayers (publishing 1923-1940)

Dorothy Sayers is most well known for her mysteries. Though though not as widely popular as Agatha Christie, her stories in many ways are more literary, giving the taste of a high quality novel, not a pulp fiction page turner. Her characters, Lord Peter Wimsey, his man Bunter, and love interest Harriet Vane, all demonstrate character development as their intellectual and moral feelings are exposed while solving crime. A devout Christian and friend of C.S. Lewis, Sayers also wrote many letters, essays, and books on religious, educational, and philosophical themes. Her essay The Lost Tools of Learning is foundational to the modern outworking of classical education. My personal favorite book is Gaudy Night (If you’re interested though, don’t start with this one as it comes toward the end of the sequence).

P.G. Wodehouse (publishing 1902-1970)

If you want something lighthearted in content, but heavy on the smashing slang, give Wodehouse a try. His main characters are Bertrie Wooster and his butler Jeeves. Wooster repeatedly gets himself into trouble (or has trouble thrust upon him) and must look to Jeeves for help. A prolific writer, even if you are sold on his witty writing, you probably won’t be able to get through his more than 90 books no matter how long quarantine continues.

H.V. Morton (publishing 1925-1979)

H.V. Morton offers non-fiction in delightful prose. He began as a journalist and became well known as an incredible travel writer. One of his first big breaks was giving an eye witness account of the opening of King Tut’s tomb in 1923 for a newspaper. Wow, what an experience! He not only wrote about far off, exotic places, but found great pleasure in writing about his native country as well. In Search of England was so charming, it alternately had me laughing at the humorous descriptions, googling historical sites mentioned to see if they were still in existence a hundred years out, and reaching for a pen to copy down a beautiful turn of phrase.

A. A. Milne (publishing 1905-1952)

And a bonus if you have kids (or just like to read children’s literature as an adult), A.A. Milne was at the height of his publishing career in the 20’s. You may not know that the author of the beloved Winnie-the-Pooh was also a playwright and wrote novels and poetry for adults as well as children. Though he had moderate success in these areas, his four “juveniles” (two books of prose and two of poetry, all heavily featuring Christopher Robin and Pooh) are by far his best works. Both the stories and poems are still loved by children today (I know as I’ve read them all to my elementary students).

Happy reading!