Classics by the Seaside

By Megan Powell, Magali Prel, Natasha Smith and Monique Smith

The allure of the seaside has long captivated the imagination of writers and serves as a backdrop to countless classic novels. Authors use the power of the ocean to enrich their storytelling, creating timeless works that are still relevant today. In these narratives, characters seek solace, face their fears, and undergo profound transformations contrasting the idyllic scenery they find themselves in. From the currents of the Gulf of Mexico to the sunny shores of the French Riviera, the seaside setting offers a unique blend of tranquillity and turmoil, and what better than the hot summer months to indulge in the coolness of the sea.

Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald

First published in 1934, Tender is the Night is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It is primarily set on the French Riviera and delves into issues of love, mental illness and the American Dream. The story follows the lives of Dick Diver, a charming and influential American psychiatrist, and his wife, Nicole, who suffers from schizophrenia.

The novel opens from the perspective of Rosemary Hoyt, a young American actress who becomes obsessed with the lavish and glamorous lifestyle of the Divers. As the story progresses, it shifts to reveal the backstory of Dick and Nicole’s relationship, which is not so glamorous.

The novel explores themes of wealth, power and the nature of idealism. Dick’s fall from grace is mirrored by Nicole’s recovery from schizophrenia, highlighting the complexities and sacrifices inherent within relationships. Fitzgerald contrasts the glamour and beauty with the superficiality of the French Riviera to critique the American Dream and the cost of keeping up appearances. This makes Tender is the Night a poignant and introspective work on the profundity of human fragility and resilience. 

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

When discussing the theme of seaside classics, it seems only right to mention Hemingway’s last published work, The Old Man and the Sea, which received the 1953 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. The novella follows Santiago, an elderly fisherman who has been unable to catch anything for eighty-four days but decides to change this luckless streak in the deep waters of the Gulf Stream. Santiago encounters a giant marlin and, determined to succeed in his quest, wrestles with the creature for three days until he can reel it in to his boat. However, his efforts are plagued when sharks snatch the fish, leaving only its skeleton behind for the fisherman. Despite this, Hemingway shows how the ability of man can still prevail regardless of age, where Santiago finds within himself strength and passion to win against the marlin. Themes of hardship and struggles are a central focus, particularly in comparison to the idyllic, calm and isolated Cuban waters. Santiago has the catch of his life but fails only due to nature’s greater strength.

The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera

Regarded as one of Aotearoa’s (New Zealand) most loved writers, Witi Ihimaera’s The Whale Rider is among the top classics of New Zealand Māori literature. The story follows multiple characters belonging to the same iwi (tribe) and hapū (family). Koro Apirana, the current leader of the Māori people of Whāngārā, is weighed down with the task of finding the right successors to his chieftaincy. He needs to find individuals (preferably male), who will be able to carry the burden of leadership and navigate the iwi through the chaotic waters of modernity. He worries that he will not be able to pass on the legacy and heritage that he learnt from his elders. When his eldest great-grandchild is born female, he begins to question the traditions he holds onto so dearly.

Ihimaera portrays the struggles that Māori faced trying to maintain their culture through colonialism and modernisation. Identity, racism, tradition and the sacredness of nature are all themes present in this story. The reader is welcomed into the world of Māori life, their struggles and deep connection to the earth.

The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch

Winner of the Booker Prize in 1979, Iris Murdoch’s The Sea, The Sea follows the protagonist Charles Arrowby who relocates to the seaside for a picturesque setting in order to write his memoirs. From a first-person perspective, Murdoch places Charles’ memories as the central focus set against the coastal backdrop, juxtaposing the vibrant life he once had compared to his position in retirement. Cleverly utilised to reflect his egotism, the retired playwright presents themes of vanity, morality and delusion as he becomes obsessed with the encounter with his first love, Mary Hartley Fitch. It becomes Charles’ mission, driven by obsession and idealism, to persuade Mary to rekindle their love, who does not share the same passionate and idealistic sentiments of the protagonist.