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zsjinohtna 's review for:
The Wall
by Marlen Haushofer
I'm not sure what to write about this book. I have complained a fair amount about this book as I read it, but ultimately upon finishing it, I actually kind of loved this book. When I was only at page 80, I wrote an update on Goodreads I can no longer retrace, only complaining about how much repetition it had. And it did. And for a while that got boring and I contemplated not finishing it a couple of times.
I think it had to do with the non-chronological storytelling, which I had to get used to. Of course it made sense why Marlen would use this, but at around page 100 I was just very confused how long the main character had been living in the mountains. Mostly, I was confused why she kept thinking the cow might be pregnant: I thought it had already been over two years and had checked to confirm that cows carry for about nine months.
Anyway. Ultimately, nothing happens in this book and that makes it kind of beautiful. I loved the afterword, as it brought much more depth to the book. Turns out it is a quite empowering, feministic book- I didn't realise such simple stories could be activistic in a way.
Although I am glad I finally finished the book, I already also kind of miss it. At a certain point, after enough repetition and milking of the cows and scything of the hay, a sense of serenity overcame me and I longed to be in those same mountains with nothing to do but take care of the animals around me. The way Marlen portrays the instinct to care for others, and the anxiety that comes with it, was beautiful and I very much recognised myself in it.
Ending was sudden and quick and I didn't think it was necessary to add a new character- But at the same time I was sorta glad the book came to an end.
I think it had to do with the non-chronological storytelling, which I had to get used to. Of course it made sense why Marlen would use this, but at around page 100 I was just very confused how long the main character had been living in the mountains. Mostly, I was confused why she kept thinking the cow might be pregnant: I thought it had already been over two years and had checked to confirm that cows carry for about nine months.
Anyway. Ultimately, nothing happens in this book and that makes it kind of beautiful. I loved the afterword, as it brought much more depth to the book. Turns out it is a quite empowering, feministic book- I didn't realise such simple stories could be activistic in a way.
Although I am glad I finally finished the book, I already also kind of miss it. At a certain point, after enough repetition and milking of the cows and scything of the hay, a sense of serenity overcame me and I longed to be in those same mountains with nothing to do but take care of the animals around me. The way Marlen portrays the instinct to care for others, and the anxiety that comes with it, was beautiful and I very much recognised myself in it.
Ending was sudden and quick and I didn't think it was necessary to add a new character- But at the same time I was sorta glad the book came to an end.