2024 Festive Season Gems: Classics & Rock ’n’ Roll!
Thoughts on Some Books
I decided to extend the holiday season and spent three weeks in my childhood room, wrapped in the loving arms of my family. My soul needed it.
Since I left my apartment in Istanbul 3.5 years ago and moved to Rome — some call it the Eternal City, I call it my eternal misery — many of my books were transported to my family’s house, unread and waiting for me. That treasure includes some true gems.
Long story short — I’m feeling sentimental and have so much to share, so here we are, talking about three treasures I read over the festive season.
The Sorrows of Young Werther by Goethe
I remember buying this book in high school — or maybe earlier — because I’d heard the rumours. They said people became suicidal after reading it, so naturally, I bought it out of sheer curiosity. But I was equally scared of its power, and back then, I had no real-life problems. Lucky me, having the time of her life and a peaceful adolescence period. (MOM, PLEASE CONFIRM!)
Jokes aside, dear Werther, my dear, dear Werther…
I feel for him. I feel for feeling like him. I feel for our world because the societal issues he criticizes are still the issues we face today. Yes, love is a timeless trend, but you know what I mean.
I’ve had my share of heartbreaks and wrong relationships, but I’ve never been able to feel pain like his. And Goethe, that brilliant genius, makes us endure Werther’s torment right alongside him. It truly is a masterpiece, written like a journal, with entries in the form of letters to a “friend.”
I don’t remember feeling this much empathy while reading anything else before. Not because it’s coming from a dark, suicidal place — of course not — but because I can see all the reasons building up to that devastating conclusion.
There isn’t a single page left un-underlined. Every sentence touched my heart, as if Goethe knew exactly how to write to the depths of my soul.
This book, written centuries ago, still resonates deeply, reflecting today’s personal and societal challenges. What makes it even more impactful is that it’s based on Goethe’s own love story. Through Werther’s pain, we also glimpse Goethe’s own heartbreak, as he poured his heart and soul into every word of this masterpiece.
I regret not reading it sooner.
Another book I bought years ago but only read a few weeks ago.
I’m not a rock ’n’ roll type of person. I don’t seek it out or listen to it intentionally, and before reading this book, I had never knowingly listened to Patti Smith. Let me confess that I bought this book simply because it was “trendy.” Deep down, I assumed I’d be bothered while reading it because, as I said, I’m not a rock ’n’ roller. I don’t enjoy that lifestyle. I love rules. I like clean things — some might say I’m obsessed, but I think they’re just dirty. I don’t like “going with the flow” like a rock ’n’ roller.
But this book didn’t bother me at all, and I think that’s entirely thanks to Patti Smith’s incredible talent.
I am in awe of her pure storytelling skills, and honestly, I’m a little jealous of them.
Her story, and especially her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe, is so unique. Despite being far outside the norms we’re accustomed to — norms that might unsettle some readers — I found myself completely drawn in. The more I read, the more I began to understand and empathize with people I had never tried to understand before.
One thing I learned from this book is that in life, rather than judging experiences based on what society deems right or wrong, it’s more important to live what feels true to us in the moment.
The relationship between Patti and Robert is something I would have considered impossible — something I couldn’t imagine working for myself. But within the context of their lives, their dynamics, and even their relationships with other partners, it became clear that this was what worked for them.
And the way she tells their story — there are no overly embellished sentences, no exaggerated justifications. Just raw truths and emotions.
Because of this, I regret not reading this book sooner. But at the same time, I’m glad I read it now, at a point in my life where I feel like I’ve figured some things out.
In fact, both The Sorrows of Young Werther and Just Kids seem to be books I needed to read at this particular phase of my life, even though I bought them decades ago.
It’s no surprise that after being so affected by these two books, I found myself searching my library for my favorite work of English literature: Tess of the d’Urbervilles.
Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
Among all the tragic love stories I’ve ever read, this one is my favorite. If I had to choose just one book from English literature, it would be this.
I don’t know why — maybe Colin Firth had something to do with it? No, that’s not it. I watched the series and movie after reading the book, and unlike my foggy brain assumed, he wasn’t in it. A shame, though.
I can’t recall the exact moment I purchased this book or how many times I’ve read it. What I do know is that I’ve read it in both Turkish and English, and each time, it has left me in awe.
And Thomas Hardy… We’re truly lucky to have his novels in the world.
One of the things that really stood out to me in Tess of the d’Urbervilles is how it exposes the massive hypocrisy in society, particularly when it comes to gender and social class. Tess, this pure and innocent young woman, is constantly judged by standards that don’t seem to care about who she truly is. Instead, it’s all about her circumstances, and that judgment is brutal. She’s held accountable for things that men like Alec and Angel either get a free pass for or are just completely forgiven for. And honestly, those parts made my blood boil.
Yet, I love this book because Hardy portrays an unhealthy relationship and the stupidity of moral rigidity in England at that time perfectly.
(I’m really not great with realism, symbolism, or identifying them exactly — god, I couldn’t even do it easily back in high school — but I know this one’s symbolism, thank you all very much.)
This book is like my fine red wine. The older I get, the more I enjoy it.
I’m so lucky to be reading these marvelous books during a period where I’ve finally started recognizing myself — a period of growth that I’m only just beginning to realize.
Everyone should have read at least one of these books. But even if you’ve read them before, pick one up again. Give yourself a chance to reconnect with yourself, or with the world around you.
