Although the weather seems tentative to accept it, spring has officially sprung into action. During a season best known for its picturesque settings and focus on renewal, readers are often eager to delve into literature that mirrors this whimsical and lighthearted period of the year. From classical flowery writing about natural settings in which traditional romance blooms, to more modern day reflections on the processes of transformation and change, this list of books has something to offer all readers’ needs this season. As April showers bring May flowers, these books can either be read outside on a sunny day in the grass or cooped up in a cozy room watching rain hit the window pane. spring offers us a little bit of everything, much like this literary listicle.
Emma by Jane Austen
Whilst Austen seems like a far too obvious go-to for most readers this season, Emma and its charmingly witty nature makes for the perfect spring read, or re-read for already well-versed classics lovers. Dually focused on the quaint idiosyncrasies of an aristocratic village community and the messy meddlings of young love, Austen curates a lighthearted and intimate environment within which themes of maturity and redemption emerge. Toying with traditionally comedic tropes like match-making-gone-wrong and hidden affections, the novel’s aptly placed irony provides a humorous read as you are encouraged to innocently poke fun at the overbearingly well mannered (yet undeniably headstrong) protagonist. Whilst fans appear torn between viewing Emma as a nineteenth-century stereotype of a snobbish upper class girl and a confidently well-intentioned friend, her character arc makes this novel that slice of sweet sentimentality romance readers yearn for. Austen neatly encompasses the (not-so!) glamorous experience of growing up with an eccentric cast of upper class cliches to encapsulate the essence of a modern day romcom. Showcasing the beauty of transformation alongside silly romances, I don’t know what more I would want for a cheerful classic spring read.
Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsey
For those less interested in the fanciful quirks and aloof world of Jane Austen, Joan Lindsey offers a hauntingly surreal fever dream in her novel Picnic at Hanging Rock. Ditching the traditional conventions of thriller, the narrative centers the mysterious, and seemingly supernatural, disappearance of three young girls as they adventure outside their boarding school. The hazy nightmarish plot makes for a text I’d imagine fans of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks to appreciate. I would honestly commend this novel as genius, as Lindsey intertwines gothic horror with an elegant portrayal of youth to provide accessible musings on colonialism and emotional repression. Combining an inexplicable poignant terror with the serene and unrestrained Australian landscape at the tail end of February, this ominous yet hauntingly beautiful narrative is for those who love both slow, wandering prose, and surrealist suspense. And if you like the novel, Peter Weir’s 1975 film adaptation is an absolute must-watch of strange yet haunting atmosphere.
The Swimming-Pool Library by Alan Hollinghurst
For fans of Emerald Fennel’s Saltburn, The Swimming-Pool Library is a must-read. With its deeply aesthetic focus on the rich decadence of upper class life in the 1980s, protagonist Nick Guest is seen consistently appreciating beauty and grandeur – much like how during spring when the sun finally rears its head I suddenly realise how lovely everything is. Mixing this glamour with the rising tension of the AIDS crisis under Thatcher rule in the UK, Hollinghurst narrates a heartbreaking slow-burn study of queer life within high society. The title of the novel became clear once I realised that this book is a messy amalgamation of musings on the beauty of unabashed hedonism, and social commentary on the emptiness of judgemental upper class life. I can see this book being enjoyed most by those who wholeheartedly believe Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a love story not between Daisy and Gatsby, but between him and Nick Carraway.
So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan
Known for not wasting words, this 47 page story offers us a realistic portrait of the consequences of misogyny. Based in Dublin, So Late in the Day explores the internal emotional complexity of Cathal’s cold-hearted and non-committal personality. This book neatly unfolds the uncomfortable process of regret by shamelessly painting an ugly picture of the worst man you’ll ever meet. Our relationship with the protagonist is meticulously controlled in the best way possible – at first you’ll be eager to feel sorry for a lonely man that is lost in his own memories, but as he seamlessly reveals more concerning information we uncover the truth of his persona. Introspective and full of lament, I understand that this book lacks the lighthearted and flouncy feel most associate with the unfolding season. However, I deem it essential reading in general due to the poignant subject matter, and I think its focus on personal reflection provides that possibility of change found within spring. Forcing the plot into the quiet, unobtrusive moments of life also renders this novella quaint. Its small scale setting yet forever valuable subject matter marks Keegan as essential for your bookshelf.
Panenka by Rónàn Hession
Panenka provides a completely character driven plot that makes for a gently melancholic read. This book unveils the beauty of mundane everyday existence to highlight the importance of human connection – to both our closest family members and total strangers. Being my favourite book in this list by far, Rónàn Hession treats social isolation with tenderness to prove that no matter our age and circumstance we can always maintain hope for the future. Effortlessly subtle yet overwhelmingly emotional, this book clearly leaves a lasting impression – I am still thinking about it three years after reading. The story of fictional middle-aged Irish man Joseph on the surface appears bland, but its emphasis on what the human experience truly entails renders it unforgettable.
Middlemarch by George Eliot
Being my favourite piece of classical literature, I couldn’t resist recommending Middlemarch for this season. Eliot produces the perfect blend of earnest realism and ornate prose to paint a hugely intricate portrait of nineteenth-century provincial life. Often named a project book for its sheer length of over 800 pages, you could spend the entirety of spring getting to know the inner psychologies of each and every character, as this book teaches you about the importance of development and connection. This novel is for those who enjoy literature that makes demands of you; the densely slow-burn narrative and unlikeable cast of characters requires patience and more empathy than you would imagine. Although this seemingly bitter and satirical analysis of the mistakes we make and the inevitable failures of life appears pessimistic and cynical, Eliot’s ability to refuse her character’s fairytale endings yet still create something beautiful is why this book is a necessary read.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Given Jessie Buckley’s incredible and heartwrenching performance in Chloe Zhao’s recent adaptation of this novel, I believe everyone should be drawn to reading the original source material. Hamnet is essential reading for fans of Shakespeare, lovers of intense atmospheric writing, and those who crave tear-jerkers. O’Farrell importantly weaves feminism throughout this text as the subject matter relies heavily on feminine resilience through grief, and combining this with a focus on domesticity and the natural world I cannot think of a better time than now to read this novel. Even though this book deals with the classic themes of love and loss, nothing about it is cliché. I would best describe it as an original reconstruction of sixteenth-century England that will both shatter your heart and leave you appreciating every form of life that surrounds us. Yet this description does not give the novel’s beauty and emotional depth enough credit, so the only way to discover its genius will be to read it yourself.
