Summary of The WallÂ
In Marlen Haushofer’s novel “The Wall”, a woman travels to the Austrian mountains to stay in a hunting lodge. One morning, she awakens to find herself cut off from the rest of the world by an invisible wall. Isolated and alone, she learns to adapt by living off the land and caring for her dog, several cats, and a cow.
Reasons to read The Wall
“The Wall” is both a critique of modern civilisation and a tribute to a life in harmony with nature. It can be read as a metaphor for the existential solitude inherent in the human condition, or as a reflection on the role of women in a male-dominated society. The novel has been praised by authors such as Doris Lessing and Elfriede Jelinek for its profound female perspective on life. Marlen Haushofer was one of Austria’s most prominent post-war writers. “The Wall” is widely regarded as her most significant work and was adapted into a German-language film in 2012.
Setting: the Alps (Austria)
Book set in Austria: Although “The Wall” does not specify an exact location, the setting is likely inspired by the region of Ramsau near Molln, where Marlen Haushofer was born. The film was shot in the Salzkammergut region.
Original title: Die Wand
Year of publication: 1963
Nr of pages: 248
