Novels that will stir you - Part 1

As a student, you spend so much of your life reading. What I remember really missing as a student was having the time to read for pleasure. Little beats the feeling of leaning back in a chair, holding a scruffy paperback, and losing yourself in a story.

In this blog, I’ve prepared a list of 4 novels that I think will stir you in some way. All of them have either moved me or taken me to places far away. I hope that one of these piques your interest. You can make a note and get a copy when you have the time to read. In my next post, I will share a further 4.

The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Richard Flanagan

This book is based on Flanagan's father's experiences as a prisoner of war working on the Thai-Burma Railway during World War II. It won the Booker Prize in 2014.

The story follows the life of Dorrigo Evans, an Australian army surgeon who becomes a prisoner of war and is forced to work on the construction of the Thai-Burma Railway, also known as the Death Railway. The novel explores the brutality and inhumanity of war, and the physical and emotional toll it takes on those who endure it.

Flanagan's writing is poignant and evocative, and he seamlessly weaves together different timelines and perspectives. The novel is divided into three parts, with the first part focusing on Dorrigo's early life and love affair with his uncle's wife, Amy. The second part is set during the war, and the final part explores the aftermath of the war and the long-lasting impact it has on Dorrigo and those around him.

"The Narrow Road to the Deep North" is a powerful and haunting novel that delves deep into the human psyche and explores themes such as love, loss, sacrifice, and the search for meaning in the face of unimaginable adversity.

The Remains of the Day – Kazuo Ishiguro

A contemporary classic, winner of the Booker Prize in 1989, The Remains of the Day is Kazuo Ishiguro's beautiful and haunting evocation of life between the wars in a Great English House, of lost causes and lost love.

The story is narrated by Stevens, an English butler who has devoted his life to serving his employer, Lord Darlington. The novel is set in the years leading up to World War II and explores themes of duty, loyalty, and regret. Through Stevens' recollections, we learn about his interactions with other members of the household, including his relationship with the housekeeper, Miss Kenton, and Lord Darlington's involvement in politics.

As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that Lord Darlington's political views were misguided and that he was involved in activities that contributed to the rise of Nazism in Europe. This realization forces Stevens to confront the choices he has made in his life and the role he played in enabling Lord Darlington's actions.

Ishiguro's writing is understated and nuanced, and he uses Stevens' narration to explore the complexities of human emotion and relationships. "The Remains of the Day" is a poignant and deeply affecting novel that speaks to the universal themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in life.

A Little Life – Hanya Yanagihara

"A Little Life" tells the story of four college friends, Willem, Jude, Malcolm, and JB, who move to New York City after graduation and pursue their dreams. It was published in 2015 and was a finalist for the National Book Award and the Man Booker Prize.

At the centre of the novel is Jude, a successful lawyer who is haunted by a traumatic childhood that is slowly revealed through the course of the story. Jude's past experiences have left him deeply scarred, both physically and emotionally, and he struggles to come to terms with the events that have shaped his life.

Yanagihara's writing is raw and unflinching, and she delves deep into the complex relationships between the characters. The novel explores themes of love, friendship, trauma, and the human capacity for both cruelty and kindness.

"A Little Life" is a deeply emotional and often harrowing read, but it is also a testament to the power of friendship and the human spirit. Yanagihara's characters are richly drawn, and their stories are woven together in a way that is both heart-breaking and ultimately hopeful.

Hamnet – Maggie O’Farrell

"Hamnet" is a historical novel written by Maggie O'Farrell. It was published in 2020 and won the Women's Prize for Fiction in the same year. The novel is a fictionalized account of the life of William Shakespeare's son, Hamnet, who died at the age of 11 from the bubonic plague.

The novel explores the family dynamics of the Shakespeares, including the relationship between William and his wife, Agnes (also known as Anne Hathaway). Through Agnes' perspective, the novel offers a nuanced portrayal of a woman who has often been marginalized in the historical record.

O'Farrell's writing is poetic and atmospheric, and she vividly brings to life the sights, sounds, and smells of 16th-century England. The novel is a meditation on grief and loss, and it offers a deeply empathetic portrayal of a family grappling with the devastating impact of the plague.

At its core, "Hamnet" is a story about the power of art to heal and transform us. It is a poignant and unforgettable work of historical fiction that offers a fresh and deeply human perspective on one of the most celebrated writers in the English language.