Scan barcode
A review by savvylit
The Wall by Marlen Haushofer
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Translated from German, this introspective novel is a gripping tale of resilience in the face of unknown dystopian circumstances. The unnamed narrator is a middle-aged woman who adapts readily and impressively to self-sufficiency. She is fortunate to have the presence of several animals as companions: Lynx the hunting dog, Bella the milk cow, and a feisty semi-feral cat. The mutual reliance between the narrator and her animals was perhaps the most beautiful and relatable aspect of the novel.
The Wall could be perceived as a boring tale on a purely surface level. It's a diaristic narrative that includes a lot of realistic repetition; the main character's recap of chores completed comprises most of the novel. However, there's something deeply compelling in how The Wall is written. Haushofer skillfully weaves hints of international war, misogyny, and existentialism throughout the narrative.
All in all, many elements of this book felt like a combination of two of my past favorite reads: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead (DYPOBD) by Olga Tokarczuk and I Who Have Never Known Men (IWHNKM) by Jacqueline Harpman. The first similarity is likely obvious - all three novels are translated works by European authors. But the similarities go deeper than that. The Wall's narrator reminded me quite a bit of Janina in DYPOBD, incredibly resilient, drily funny, and generally underestimated. Then, the themes of isolation and feminine strength in a dystopian setting were strongly reminiscent of IWHNKM. If you are also a fan of either - or both - novels, then you need to read The Wall.
The Wall could be perceived as a boring tale on a purely surface level. It's a diaristic narrative that includes a lot of realistic repetition; the main character's recap of chores completed comprises most of the novel. However, there's something deeply compelling in how The Wall is written. Haushofer skillfully weaves hints of international war, misogyny, and existentialism throughout the narrative.
All in all, many elements of this book felt like a combination of two of my past favorite reads: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead (DYPOBD) by Olga Tokarczuk and I Who Have Never Known Men (IWHNKM) by Jacqueline Harpman. The first similarity is likely obvious - all three novels are translated works by European authors. But the similarities go deeper than that. The Wall's narrator reminded me quite a bit of Janina in DYPOBD, incredibly resilient, drily funny, and generally underestimated. Then, the themes of isolation and feminine strength in a dystopian setting were strongly reminiscent of IWHNKM. If you are also a fan of either - or both - novels, then you need to read The Wall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Violence