Seaside Literature:
8 Poems and Books

Who doesn’t like seas and oceans? The mysteries that it hides in the vast expanse of deep water are something that writers seem to get drawn to. From adventurous voyages to mystical mermaids, seaside literature engulfs readers of every taste.

Here are seven pieces of literature that will remind you of the sea breezes.

Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

This is the book that pops in every avid reader’s mind when the sea is mentioned. This novella is centered around an old man, Santiago, who hasn’t caught a fish in 44 days and gets labeled as ‘salo’. Santiago then determines to wander far off into the sea and catch the biggest fish. Set on the coasts of Cuba, the book then goes on to explore the ambitious voyage of the old man.

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Written in 1851, Moby Dick follows the voyage of Ahab and his sailors. The book’s narrator, Ishmael, tells the tale of the Ahab and his quest of killing a giant whale. On a previous voyage, the whale had bitten off Ahab’s leg. And now, Ahab wants revenge.

To the Sea by Philip Larkin

Larkin often created gloomy poems but all the poets have some exceptions. In Larkin’s case, his poem, ‘To the Sea’, is one of his cheerful, celebratory works. This poem is the opening to High Windows, Larkin’s 1974 poem collection. ‘To the Sea’ describes a family’s seaside vacation which kind of an annual ritual.

The Awakening by Kate Chopin

Kate Chopin is often known for her slightly controversial works that defied the norms of her time. The Awakening also proved to be somewhat controversial. The protagonist, Edna Pontellier, falls in love with James. Throughout the book, her role as wife and mother comes in conflict with her newfound love and desires. All the while, James teaches Edna to swim. This, very symbolically, enables Edna to “swim away from the shore of her old life.”

Death in Venice by Thomas Mann

Death in Venice was translated to English in 1925. The novel follows Aschenbach’s obsession and yearning for “nothingness.” At the same time, he develops an affinity for Tadzio, a young boy. As Aschenbach continues to live on the resort at the beach, a contagious disease spreads rapidly. As the story progresses, we witness Aschenbach deteriorating mentally, physically, and morally.

The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch

The Sea, The Sea was honored with the Booker Prize. The novel follows Charles Arrowby who chooses to stay in an isolated house on a rocky coast after retirement. As he pens his memoirs, he takes frequent dips in the dangerous yet attractive waters. To top things off, he learns that his childhood sweetheart lives in the same town.

John Masefield, ‘Sea-Fever’

Published in 1902, ‘Sea-Fever’ is one of the most popular poems created on seas. The poem is a part of ‘Salt-Water Ballads’, a poetry collection. The first line of the poem, “I must go down to the sea again” remains iconic to the day.

Full Fathom Five

Apart from this, Shakespeare’s Full Fathom Five is another popular poem about the sea. Even children’s stories and comics feature the sea. It depends on your taste as a reader what kind of seaside literature you’d prefer.