Post-Wide Sargasso Sea: Recommendations for Your Next Read

After finishing Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, you might be curious about what to read next. In this article, we will explore a variety of literary recommendations that complement and expand upon this remarkable novel.

1. Ernest Hemingway: A Moveable Feast

Ernest Hemingway’s memoir, A Moveable Feast, takes you back to the early 1920s when Hemingway was unknown and living in Paris with his first wife, Hadley. This book offers a fascinating glimpse into Paris during the literary boom of the 1920s, with vivid descriptions of Hemingway’s everyday life and interactions with literary giants such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein.

The memoir is particularly captivating due to the contrast between the tender, boyish voice Hemingway uses and the persona he developed later in his career. Despite this, the authenticity of the early voice, as Hemingway describes his experiences and his hopes for a successful writing career, adds a unique charm to the narrative.

For a deeper exploration, you might enjoy the movie Midnight in Paris, which adapts and expands upon the themes of A Moveable Feast.

Paris is a moveable feast. If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast. - Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

2. Charlotte Bronte: Feminist and Social Commentaries

If you have read Wide Sargasso Sea and are intrigued by its exploration of gender and societal norms, you might enjoy the other works by Charlotte Bronte.

Jane Eyre, the novel on which Rhys draws inspiration, is a powerful story of a woman’s struggle for independence and self-respect. If you enjoy Jane Eyre, you should also read Villette and Shirley.

Bronte’s novels are known for their feminist undertones and social critiques. The Life of Charlotte Bronte by Elizabeth Gaskell offers additional context and insight into the author’s life and work. Gaskell’s North and South is a compelling social commentary, set in Manchester and focusing on the divide between the industrial north and the rural south.

3. Historical Fiction and Psychological Depth

For a more psychological and historical experience, you might enjoy Indiana by George Sand. Like Wide Sargasso Sea, this novel focuses on the experiences of a woman in a difficult marriage, set in the tropical regions of the Caribbean.

Another interesting book to explore is Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, which delves into the issues around British sugar plantations in Antigua. This adds another layer to Austen’s exploration of moral and social issues in 19th century England.

4. Retelling Famed Characters from a Different Perspective

For a novel that explores the world from a different angle, you might enjoy works that pick a minor character from a famous book and retell their story. The Return of Moriarty by John Gardner is a fascinating take on the Moriarty character from the Sherlock Holmes series, providing a fresh perspective on his story. Similarly, Grendel by John Gardner retells the classic epic Beowulf from the monster’s perspective, adding a unique twist to an already rich narrative.

For a modern twist, Mary Reilly by Valerie Martin explores the life of the maid in Jekyll and Hyde, challenging our understanding of the characters in the original story. Another intriguing choice is Death at Pemberley by P.D. James, which takes place six years after Pride and Prejudice and offers a new view of the story from Darcy’s perspective. Fool by Christopher Moore, on the other hand, retells King Lear from the perspective of the fool, adding a humorous and emotional layer to a classic tale.