Margaret Forster deserves to be better known and more widely read. Many years ago I read [[Lady's Maid by Margaret Forster|Lady's Maid]] and enjoyed it, but I didn't go looking for more of her work. Private Papers was a gift, along with two more of her books and I'm delighted by how much I've enjoyed it.
If you enjoy this type of book you might also enjoy Kate Atkinson's [[Behind the Scenes at the Museum]], which covers similar themes over roughly the same timescale. Private Papers is easier to get into (I was hooked within the first few pages) but they are both excellent reads.