The 1930s was a decade which produced many literary landmarks, written in response to major changes which heralded the 'modern' world and brought premonitions of the future. We will begin with Pearl S Buck's Pulitzer Prize-winning 'The Good Earth'. An account of Chinese peasant life in the early 20th century, it is a reminder of older customs and attitudes which were becoming outmoded in the West. The group will then choose 5 more 1930s novels (some serious, perhaps some comic) to give a wide-ranging perspective of the time. This is a shorter course than most book groups: 2-terms, Autumn and Spring. Though we will read just 6 novels, we will discuss other books of the period, which perhaps will lead to further reading and informal dialogue by members after the course has finished.