Angry Young Women Writers of the 1950s and 1960s
During the 1950s and 1960s, a rebellious collective of working- and middle-class writers transformed British literature. Dispirited by the strict UK class system, these “Angry Young Men” and “Angry Young Women” shared an intense desire to portray the gritty and raw reality of working-class life. A reality which most of them had lived firsthand.
Locations of 1950s and 1960s Kitchen Sink Drama
The origins of Kitchen Sink Drama began in the 1950s, spanning throughout the 1960s. These Kitchen Sink Realism books/novels, films, and television dramas/adaptations are set in working-class areas. Mainly in industrial areas, especially in the north of England. Examples include John Braine‘s novel Room at the Top, Shelagh Delaney‘s play A Taste of Honey, and Stan Barstow‘s novel A Kind of Loving. Other examples are Bill Naughton‘s play, Spring and Port Wine, and Alan Sillitoe‘s novel, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning.
However, not exclusively confined to this region, other incorporated characters also that are depicted in settings in southern England (mainly in London). Examples include Up the Junction by Nell Dunn and The L-Shaped Room by Lynne Reid Banks. Also The Pumpkin Eater by Penelope Mortimer, Georgy Girl by Margaret Forster, and The Millstone by Margaret Drabble.
Political and Social Factors In Kitchen Sink Realism Novels
This literary genre of plays and novels (some of which were later adapted into films as well as TV drama and TV adaptations) has common underlying subject matters. Those subject matters tackled a vast array of political and social factors. Ones that the working classes faced and in many ways needed to be highlighted.
The types of subjects that were swept under the carpet, so to speak. The taboo subjects that often made some of society feel uncomfortable whilst discussing. Certainly at that time, although we have to remember it is now nearly sixty years or more since these works were launched into the literary sphere. Ranging from class distinction, extramarital affairs, race relations, and alcoholism. In addition, unemployment, poverty, crime, homelessness, homosexuality, sex, abortion, and unwanted pregnancy. This genre, very much so, politically addresses issues from a socialist stance.
My Kitchen Sink Realism Journey
My own journey started in 1983, overlapping with my 1980s Mod days. When Channel 4 screened a season of Kitchen Sink films in the mid-80s, it became my fundamental springboard. I enthusiastically watched the films, which inspired me to collect and read the original novels and plays. Later in life, I realized that understanding the lives of these trailblazing authors was just as important as enjoying their stories.
This is because they were indirectly the forerunners of those who chose to break the class and gender barriers. As well as speaking out on social situations per se through their writing. And it has to be taken into consideration that at that particular time in the UK, people in general were less forthcoming in discussing “taboo topics”. It, after all, was a different time with a different society. However, these writers went one step further and, in so many aspects, revolutionised one area of literature, which coined the phrase Kitchen Sink Realism. Highly evident in their writing.
Angry Young Women: six writers of the sixties by Anne Wellman
One particular read that I have found exceptional and is thoroughly well researched is Angry Young Women: six writers of the sixties by Anne Wellman. The title describes the book perfectly. It includes dedicated chapters on some of those women authors who are collectively termed the “Angry Young Women” of the 1960s. It’s not only refreshing to read, but equally fascinating to learn about the lives of these women who challenged the “norm” thinking of women at that time. The six women writers that it concentrates on are :
Shelagh Delaney – A Taste of Honey
Lynne Reid Banks – The L-Shaped Room
Penelope Mortimer – The Pumpkin Eater
Nell Dunn – Up the Junction and Poor Cow
Margaret Drabble – The Millstone
Margaret Forster – Georgy Girl
Synopsis
The 1960s marked a pronounced shift as women broke away from constraining social stereotypes. Hankering for independence, careers, and financial security, the new generation endeavored to be their own person alongside being wives and mothers. As motherhood, sex, the pill, and abortion converged with real life, these female Kitchen Sink authors courageously brought those experiences to the forefront via their writing. They dismantled long-standing taboos, astutely paving the way for open conversations about subjects that had previously been swept under the carpet by society.
The Significance of Angry Young Women Authors and Their Contribution to Kitchen Sink Realism Literature
All these female authors wrote about central characters within their books. Identifying the struggles faced back then. All of those characters faced one or several issues surrounding sex, the pill, and other related issues. Unwanted pregnancy, as in the case of Jo in A Taste of Honey by Shelagh Delaney. The prospect of illegitimacy faced by Jane in The L Shaped Room by Lynne Reid Banks. Also that of Rosamund in The Millstone by Margaret Drabble. Additionally, illegal “backstreet” abortion encountered by Rube in Up the Junction by Nell Dunn. Nonetheless, these were all strong women who faced many dilemmas but still, despite that, came through to the other side due to their resilience
This book is really well organised in the way it has been written, and is a great read. It was easy to read and listed many reference points. Anne Wellman has organised it by dedicating a chapter to each of the above writers in turn. Firstly, from a biographical standpoint, it goes on to discuss the theme and synopsis of the book or play. Anne then continues to constructively discuss the film, theatre/tv adaptations. And also the later lives of these writers.
A final word on Angry Young Women: six writers of the sixties by Anne Wellman
For anyone who has an interest in the literary genre of Kitchen Sink Realism or Kitchen Sink Realism films / Kitchen Sink Realism dramas, this is a must-read. Not only is it a testament to the resilience of the female characters created within these books. Especially Jo, Jane, Jo, Rube, Sylvie, Joy, Rosamund, and Georgy. These are all very strong female characters who step out of the boundaries of how society viewed gender stereotypes at that time. It is also a comprehensive and well-written read.
Additionally, Angry Young Women: Six Writers of the Sixties by Anne Wellman is a meritorious testament to those women authors. Shelagh, Margaret, Lynne, Penelope, Nell, and Margaret. They collectively contributed to a very special genre of literature. These “Angry Young Women” each provided an influential direction through their writing. Even if these female authors were not consciously aware of it at that time. Their work will always be inspirational and should wholeheartedly be commended and celebrated, as Anne Wellman has published in this wonderful read.
📚 Dive Deeper: Further Reading & Viewing
If you want to explore the grit, wit, and rebellion of the “Angry Young Women” era, here are the essential books and film adaptations featured in this article:
Essential Reading & Viewing
Featured Book:
Angry Young Women: Six Writers of the Sixties by Anne Wellman
Key Works:
Plays and novels by Shelagh Delaney (A Taste of Honey), Lynne Reid Banks (The L-Shaped Room), Nell Dunn (Up the Junction, Poor Cow), Margaret Drabble (The Millstone), Margaret Forster (Georgy Girl), and Penelope Mortimer (The Pumpkin Eater).
Classic Film Adaptations:
Screen versions of A Taste of Honey (1961), The L-Shaped Room (1962), Georgy Girl (1966), Up the Junction (1968) and A Touch of Love (1969)
Related Content:
Explore further reviews on Soul & Mod covering related works like The Angry Young Men Movement and The Angry Young Men by Humphrey Carpenter.
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