Reared in a society that dedicates most of its resources to preparing the individual for a life of mindless work, it is of no surprise that many of us reach young adulthood teetering on the brink of existential crisis. Though popular culture is filled with unwelcome reminders of vibrant young lifestyles – those which for many of us are frankly unattainable – a growing branch of contemporary literature appears to grant our troubled minds some further representation.
In fact, writings concerned with the difficulties of being at such a fragile age are now so common it is not unusual to find a selection of novels, say on BookTok, grouped into ‘books for aimless twenty-somethings’. Perhaps at the top of this assortment we would find at least one novel by Sally Rooney. Whether it’s exploring the emotional turmoil of holding down romantic relationships in her widely successful second novel Normal People or investigating the complexities of modern friendships and relationships in her debut Conversations with Friends, Rooney has an undeniable talent for making relatable characters that create an almost instant attachment to the reader.
Though Rooney’s novels are works of fiction, memoirs – like that of Dolly Alderton – also make important contributions to this area of literature. Everything I Know About Love is a highly emotive yet strikingly humorous first-hand account of Alderton’s twenties. Filled with stories of hilariously bad dates, a dangerous relationship with alcohol, and heart-wrenching periods of grief, Alderton reminds us that one of the most constant forces in our life is that of friendship. Though some relationships may bitterly pass before us, there is deep comfort in the fact that the durability of companionship is far greater than the disappointment of a rejected job application.
Combining elements of fiction and reality is the slightly lesser-known novel of Saltwater, by the North-East’s own Jessica Andrews. Saltwater closely follows protagonist Lucy on her journey from her hometown of Sunderland to her new undergraduate life in London, a plight similar to the authors own. Saltwater poignantly confronts issues of class and identity at university, considering how feelings of inadequacy can penetrate far into a sense of self-worth that is carried forth into later life.
Though all of these novels have their differences, each woman tells a familiar story – either of her own or of another – that will resonate with many a young person grappling with growing up and all that comes with. Perhaps the way our conversations and our shelves are filled with stories of others entering their second decade with a lacking sense of purpose and direction is proof that we aren’t supposed to have it all figured out just yet. We’re doing okay.