New Beginnings Reading List

In honor of the year’s end, the “Harvard Independent” has compiled a list of books with new beginnings—meant for the seniors who are moving forward with their lives and the undergraduates who have the opportunity for another collegiate term. Whether the protagonist is young or old, spirited or resigned, each work grapples with the struggles of daily life and how to cope with them. In a world so marred by turmoil and pressure, these books impart a valuable lesson: how to look to the future rather than the past.

“Persuasion” by Jane Austen

As Jane Austen’s last completed work, “Persuasion” was published posthumously just five months after the author’s passing. “Persuasion” features Austen’s oldest protagonist, 27-year-old Anne Elliot, as she deals with her ex-fiancé’s re-entry into her social circle. Anne must confront the past she thought was behind her and navigate her new “season of bloom.” To break free from her controlling family, Anne learns to make decisions for herself and choose her own happiness. 

The text explores themes of renewal, perseverance, and the strength to grow into your own person rather than being swayed by others. Critics often cite the novel as having an increasingly mature, reflective tone in comparison to some of her other works, especially considering Austen’s worsening health during the writing process. 

“The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway

This Pulitzer Prize-winning novella features an old fisherman named Santiago who has gone 84 days without catching a fish. As a result, he has been shunned by his community and is perceived as woefully unlucky—a reputation that does not deter him. On the eighty-fifth day, Santiago sets out early and catches a massive marlin. The novella follows Santiago’s internal monologue as he struggles to reel in this enormous fish.

Although Hemingway’s writing style is quite simplistic and direct, its candor helps emphasize the struggles of daily life, without the pretense of refinement or romanticization. In the end, it does not matter if Santiago brings the marlin back to shore because his determination to catch the fish reignites his passion. In this, Hemingway explores the resilience of the human spirit, demonstrating that Santiago’s triumph is within his mind, separate from public perception or the world around him.

“Mrs. Dalloway” by Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf is a modernist author known for her stream-of-consciousness narrative technique and her feminist ideology. “Mrs. Dalloway” highlights both characteristics by focusing on the titular character, Clarissa Dalloway, and her party preparations—a daunting task for a high-society woman who wrestles with lofty public expectations. The novel follows Clarissa as she navigates encounters with significant figures from her past, ranging from her former suitor, to whom she had rejected a marriage proposal, to her daughter. 

Clarissa’s foil character is a World War I veteran with severe PTSD named Septimus Warren Smith. Though their character arcs are connected, they have no direct relationship, leaving readers wondering why the novel follows the two characters. However, it is only by seeing through Septimus’s perspective that Clarissa feels fully able to enjoy her life, experiencing a moment of profound appreciation in light of the suffering of a man she has never met.

“Siddhartha” by Hermann Hesse

For those looking for a more spiritual tale, Hesse’s “Siddhartha” is a beautifully written journey of self-discovery and religious exploration. The titular character leaves home at a young age in hopes of gaining spiritual illumination. Although he has the opportunity to speak with and become a follower of the famous Siddhartha Gautama, he resolves to forge his own path, believing it is the only way to true enlightenment. 

Although not a typical spiritual journey, “Siddhartha” illustrates that we don’t have to follow any one doctrine to become enlightened. Instead, everyone can learn from their own unique experiences, finding value in every instance of strife and taking something away.

“The Remains of the Day” by Kazuo Ishiguro

Ishiguro’s “The Remains of the Day” is a bit bleaker than some of the other works listed, as the protagonist does not experience a “new beginning” or realization; instead, he arrives at a quiet resignation that still allows him to enjoy life. The novel begins in the wake of World War II and follows the journey of a middle-aged English butler named Mr. Stevens. Devoted to his job and intensely serious, Mr. Stevens seldom takes breaks from work. Still, his new employer encourages him to take a well-earned vacation to visit Miss Kenton, a housekeeper whom he cares for.

Similarly to “The Old Man and the Sea,” much of the novel consists of Mr. Stevens’ reflections on his life rather than dialogue, allowing the reader to grow alongside the character as the novel progresses. As the text progresses, Stevens’ (and the readers’) musings return him to missed opportunities and the question of whether it is better to live despite having lost or to perseverate on what could have been.

“Pnin” by Vladimir Nabokov

“Pnin” is my personal favorite of this list—and perhaps the least well-known. This novel follows Timofey Pnin, a Russian professor and immigrant to the United States from St. Petersburg. The novel’s narrator invites you to pity, jest at, and yet respect Pnin as the novel progresses. Yes, the narrator often caricatures Pnin, exaggerating his obliviousness or depicting him as bumbling and ridiculous. Eventually, readers come to empathize with him and his hardships as an immigrant.

Despite the humiliation he endures, Pnin demonstrates the strength to ignore his peers’ ridicule without internalizing it, culminating in a feat that even the narrator seems deeply moved by. The novel has an open ending, allowing readers to determine for themselves what lies ahead for Pnin and craft the future they think he deserves. 

Each of these books has a special place in my heart, as they found me when I needed them most. I hope that at least one of the books on this list resonates with someone, just as they have helped me learn to navigate life. Whether their protagonists are escaping from or reconciling with their pasts, each of them learns to look to the future, living their lives rather than brooding over the past. Each book allows readers to look at life with fresh eyes—a valuable gift as we enter this new chapter of our lives.

Eden Bridge-Hayes ’29 (edenbridgehayes@college.harvard.edu) writes Arts for the “Harvard Independent.”