By Mary Riley, Third Year, English and Classics
It can be hard to ease yourself into a new year of university, what with mixing with new people, the academic pressure and the general sense of uncertainty. Sometimes, all you need is a good book to remind yourself that you're not on your own, and people have felt the same doom and gloom, or perhaps sunshine and rainbows, that you feel right now. The following recommendations are here to support you in your growth into an adult and an academic (as well as to help you feel less alone when you're left on delivered), so pick your chosen cosy place across Bristol and get reading!
The Story of a New Name - Elena Ferrante
The second of Elena Ferrante’s ‘Neapolitan Quartet’, following the more famous My Brilliant Friend, explores best friend’s Lenu and Lila’s exploration into the world of both academia and personal education. Lenu finds herself lost and outcast at her university despite her educational success, whilst her best friend Lila excels in her self-taught education.
Not only does the second part of the Neapolitan Quartet revolve around university life and the challenges that are presented by that, but the whole series displays the highs and lows of female friendships. This includes the nastier elements of friendship like jealousy and rivalry, and an unconditional love which is maintained between the two girls despite everything.
The Story of a New Name is one of the most real and profound explorations of ‘becoming’ in the modern age and is simply a must read for anyone struggling with academics, friendships or situationships!
The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Speaking of situationships, nothing screams on and off yearning more than Jay Gatsby throwing parties for five years in hopes of his ex returning. The Great Gatsby does not have anything to do with university, except it has everything to do with university.
From the longing for love, the parties and otherwise being hungover, the peculiarly awakening conversations with strangers to the struggle of feeling broke no matter what. The Great Gatsby may not be a perfect book, but F. Scott Fitzgerald sure knew how to make a classic timeless.
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man - James Joyce
James Joyce is a big name in the literary world but can often seem daunting. Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is a great place to start with the author (especially considering its autobiographical nature), and a great read to pick up during transitional periods.
Joyce’s short novel focuses on the coming of age of Stephen Dedalus and his struggles with religion, his dreams and the restrictions of a classical boarding school. The writing style itself develops alongside Stephen, showing his maturity as he moves towards a more aesthetically driven lifestyle.
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is about a young boy’s development into adulthood and a search for freedom and meaning - which we have all felt at university.
Odyssey - Homer
You no longer have to be a classically inclined humanities student to know the plot of the Odyssey thanks to Christopher Nolan’s polarising adaptation, however the source material does provide an essence of humanity which seems lost upon Nolan’s IMAX film.
Odysseus, successful and triumphant after the Trojan war, must now get home. This yearning struggle to return home is called ‘nostos’, which gives us the word ‘nostalgia’ today. Odysseus’ travels can be relatable to some as he is relentlessly pushed back despite having a clear final destination in mind.
Whether it be a slight hint of homesickness, the constant set back of being two marks off a first, or nostalgia over simpler times in first year - Homer compiled all of these emotions (and more) in a heroic epic poem thousands of years ago.
Stoner - John Williams
Probably one of the most depressing books ever, and thus perfect for descending darker days, John Williams’ Stoner details the simple and mundane life of William Stoner.
Stoner changes his assumed legacy and tackles grief throughout his time at university, and eventually decides to remain in the educational institution despite its challenges. Though lacking a distinct plot, Stoner himself is the plot, making the novel a testament to life.
A teacher once saw me reading Stoner and pointed out that he loved it and began to get emotional. That brief interchange really stuck with me, Stoner being a book about teaching. This marked the book with a sense of educational hopelessness, but also an understanding that it encapsulates the isolation of academia and the average-man's life in general.
Normal People - Sally Rooney
Behold, the most relatable piece of media for university students, Sally Rooney’s Normal People. The whole book is one big situationship (which could have easily been solved with communication…) and covers the raw emotions students are met with at university.
Marianne and Connell’s history goes back to high school and the book follows the pair as they weave in and out of each other's lives up until their graduation. Alongside romance, their relationship poses questions of friendship and loneliness, and individually the characters tackle their own problems with growth and change.
The big debate seems to be, does the book champion the show, but both hold their own merits, and there's no harm in reading the book then watching the show - aside from maybe the tears.
The Secret History - Donna Tartt
Last but not least, an obligatory mention for the dark academia classic The Secret History. If you haven't yet had a chance to read Donna Tartt’s magnum opus there’s really no better time than now, starting afresh at university as autumn creeps in.
Tartt’s novel tells the story of Richard Papen, an aspirational student from a not so fortunate background, and the development of a friendship with a small and dreadfully unusual Greek class. With classes on aesthetics and ancients on weekdays, the group navigates the prelude and consequences of a great tragedy on the weekends.
Though mostly known for its thriller-mystery atmosphere, The Secret History explores the struggle of trying to fit in and, perhaps at a quite an extreme level, grappling with troubling friendship dynamics. The academic setting is stable throughout most of the book, which makes perfect motivation for getting on with required readings.
Featured image: Kamara Rahmat / Unsplash
What's your favourite university-based book?
