I met Nell Dunn once. She was so completely charming , curious and open that I later regretted not pursuing a friendship. That generation was so interesting.
I love this! Nell Dunn sounds fascinating, I’ve added Up the Junction to my list. It’s getting longer and longer after reading your newsletter… I confess I’d only heard of this one because of the Squeeze song - I’m looking forward to checking it out :)
So love this series Kate, thank you! I found Up the Junction a dazzling and original book - can see that it might appear voyeuristic but I don't think it reads that way. To me it feels wholly sincere.
Also love the original Ken Loach TV adaptation which I saw on YouTube.
Thanks, Laura! :) It IS totally original, isn’t it? I remember first coming across it at a second hand book sale years ago and even the front cover looked like something I hadn’t seen before.
This piece on Nell Dunn, who I know little about, is captivating. Your ability to connect historical literature with contemporary relevance is remarkable. How the book and her life is explored brings the piece to life, thank you.
It's so fascinating to read about the unknown to me UK writers of 1960s. Besides Graham Green, as I remember, nobody else had been translated into Russian at that time, though we had a short period of Thaw, as it was called. Nell Dunn could had been exactly what we needed in our workers' paradise despite her "voyeurism." Thank you for surveys.
Dear Kate Jones! Books, I mean, literature, are in my blood. As I remember myself, I was always reading. Especially, the banned books, beginning from my University times and, of course, I graduated from Philology dep. To add to that, my father was a Soviet writer as mediocre as all Soviet Literature. I tell my story in my memoir "Wrong Country," which I am afraid to offer you for the reading because you are preoccupied with more serious themes and topics, but I recommend your program in my substack.
Nell Dunn was extremely influential in the 1960s and beyond. She did a great deal to bring the plight of the working classes, especially women, to the attention through her writing and tv drama. I was born in 1951. I remember the 1960s as a teenager. It was hard for women in many ways but there was a sense of the power of youth and being able to change the world for the better. I remember seeing Steaming at Crewe Lyceum Theatre in the 1980s. It was hilarious as well as hard-hitting.
It definitely was. Fashion was one obvious manifestation of change. Whereas in the 1950s children and teenagers were dressed in the same way as the adults broadly speaking, in the 60s youth took over. I had an argument with my mother every Saturday morning in C&A’s over what clothes I could buy. In fairness to my mother she did buy me a Mary Quant dress in red, white and blue. It was fabulous. It cost £5 which was an awful lot of money to spend on a teenager. My first concert in August 1963 by the way was the Beatles in Southport. They were supported by Gerry and the Pacemakers and Cilla Black in her first appearance under Brian Epstein’s management. They were exciting times. I count myself very fortunate to have been born when I was.
Oh, wow! What brilliant memories you must have. I remember C&A's from the late 70's/80s! I remember trying all their clothes on with my best friend and wishing we could afford them all. Mary Quant's dresses are so cool, even now.
I wish I still had that dress. I don’t know what happened to it. I would wear it now. I can see it very clearly. It was sleeveless A line above the knee and the top looked like curved straps. Main colour bright red with broad white colour round the edges and bright blue big pockets with red buttons. Trying on clothes with friends was great, wasn’t it?
Totally lost I’m afraid … except shopping for wedding outfits with family last year. That was fun. Three generations together trying on dresses and outfits etc.
I have read the book and seen the film of this one (good cast).
Its been a while since I’ve read it but remember a grittiness that retains a misplaced sense of optimism among the characters (the nights out, laughs in the factory) It almost feels that we see through the eyes of Dunn perhaps, the tragedy the characters themselves ether fail to see, or make light of. The characters have to ‘just get on with it’ from what I recall.
I met Nell Dunn once. She was so completely charming , curious and open that I later regretted not pursuing a friendship. That generation was so interesting.
How fascinating! I can imagine that she must have been. I also find this era and generation endlessly interesting.
I love this! Nell Dunn sounds fascinating, I’ve added Up the Junction to my list. It’s getting longer and longer after reading your newsletter… I confess I’d only heard of this one because of the Squeeze song - I’m looking forward to checking it out :)
The Squeeze song is a classic, too! 😀 I think you would like Nell Dunn'a writing. Also, how cool is the front cover of the book?! 😎
I know, it’s so cool! Her writing sounds so interesting x
I always loved ‘Up the Junction’ Kate, and I loved reading your review too.
Thank you, Maureen :) It is such an original book, I think.
So love this series Kate, thank you! I found Up the Junction a dazzling and original book - can see that it might appear voyeuristic but I don't think it reads that way. To me it feels wholly sincere.
Also love the original Ken Loach TV adaptation which I saw on YouTube.
Thanks, Laura! :) It IS totally original, isn’t it? I remember first coming across it at a second hand book sale years ago and even the front cover looked like something I hadn’t seen before.
This piece on Nell Dunn, who I know little about, is captivating. Your ability to connect historical literature with contemporary relevance is remarkable. How the book and her life is explored brings the piece to life, thank you.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it :)
It's so fascinating to read about the unknown to me UK writers of 1960s. Besides Graham Green, as I remember, nobody else had been translated into Russian at that time, though we had a short period of Thaw, as it was called. Nell Dunn could had been exactly what we needed in our workers' paradise despite her "voyeurism." Thank you for surveys.
I’m glad you are finding the discussions and books interesting, Larisa. You must have such a different story to tell.
Dear Kate Jones! Books, I mean, literature, are in my blood. As I remember myself, I was always reading. Especially, the banned books, beginning from my University times and, of course, I graduated from Philology dep. To add to that, my father was a Soviet writer as mediocre as all Soviet Literature. I tell my story in my memoir "Wrong Country," which I am afraid to offer you for the reading because you are preoccupied with more serious themes and topics, but I recommend your program in my substack.
Thank you, Larisa 😀
Nell Dunn was extremely influential in the 1960s and beyond. She did a great deal to bring the plight of the working classes, especially women, to the attention through her writing and tv drama. I was born in 1951. I remember the 1960s as a teenager. It was hard for women in many ways but there was a sense of the power of youth and being able to change the world for the better. I remember seeing Steaming at Crewe Lyceum Theatre in the 1980s. It was hilarious as well as hard-hitting.
Thank you for sharing your personal reflections, Jane. It must have been an interesting time for change.
It definitely was. Fashion was one obvious manifestation of change. Whereas in the 1950s children and teenagers were dressed in the same way as the adults broadly speaking, in the 60s youth took over. I had an argument with my mother every Saturday morning in C&A’s over what clothes I could buy. In fairness to my mother she did buy me a Mary Quant dress in red, white and blue. It was fabulous. It cost £5 which was an awful lot of money to spend on a teenager. My first concert in August 1963 by the way was the Beatles in Southport. They were supported by Gerry and the Pacemakers and Cilla Black in her first appearance under Brian Epstein’s management. They were exciting times. I count myself very fortunate to have been born when I was.
Oh, wow! What brilliant memories you must have. I remember C&A's from the late 70's/80s! I remember trying all their clothes on with my best friend and wishing we could afford them all. Mary Quant's dresses are so cool, even now.
I wish I still had that dress. I don’t know what happened to it. I would wear it now. I can see it very clearly. It was sleeveless A line above the knee and the top looked like curved straps. Main colour bright red with broad white colour round the edges and bright blue big pockets with red buttons. Trying on clothes with friends was great, wasn’t it?
It really was! I wonder if that’s been lost a bit with the advent of online shopping.
Totally lost I’m afraid … except shopping for wedding outfits with family last year. That was fun. Three generations together trying on dresses and outfits etc.
I have read the book and seen the film of this one (good cast).
Its been a while since I’ve read it but remember a grittiness that retains a misplaced sense of optimism among the characters (the nights out, laughs in the factory) It almost feels that we see through the eyes of Dunn perhaps, the tragedy the characters themselves ether fail to see, or make light of. The characters have to ‘just get on with it’ from what I recall.
Thanks, Julie. I agree with all of this!