For the lucky few who do have a reading week, here are four books you should read this week to spark some self-contemplation or simply get lost in a fictional world that definitely bears no resemblance to your own… All under 300 pages, what a treat! To those who aren’t as fortunate, try taking these recommendations in stride.
The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway, (96 pages)
If you like memories of ambition, past failures and contemplating your worth to weigh on you, you’ll have time to reflect on all of the above in this novella! Hemingway amplifies the importance of compassion and empathy through a wonderful portrayal of an unlikely connection between an old man and a young boy. The moral implications of the story are profound and show just how fleeting dreams and their successes can be, but wisdom and acceptance can be brought on at any age! This piece didn’t win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for no reason.
Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse (152 pages)
An incredible novella which brings to life the complexities of the human condition as we follow a puzzled protagonist slowly discovering the meaning of life as he embarks on his spiritual journey. The novel is filled with beautiful allusions to growth, redemption and the inevitable self-acceptance.
Edinburgh: Picturesque Notes, Robert Louis Stevenson (128 pages)
A perfect read if you remain in Edinburgh for the week and haven’t grown too sick of it yet. A unique and captivating biographical narration from our very own alumni. Just like its title, the portrayal of the natural world surrounding our Scottish city is indeed picturesque, yet this “travel book” depicts much more than that. It is filled with personal anecdotes, witty comments, and local drunkards to really make you feel at home.
Norwegian Wood, Haruki Murakami, (296 pages)
A perfect read if you have grown sick of Edinburgh and need to envision a life abroad instead (minus the heartaches.) You don’t have to be a Beatles fan to read this. But it helps. In all honesty, while it may sound like it, the Beatles are not what is most important in this novel, although you may occasionally feel tempted to sing along with Reiko. It is its raw portrayal of coping with the pain of grief and yet the beauty that comes with it that renders the story so moving. Watanabe ultimately navigates through life after loss, aided by relationships that blossom in the most unexpected circumstances.
“Relax” by tacker is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0