This is a wonderful, profoundly moving novel about a woman who is staying in a house in an alpine valley and wakes up one day to find there is an invisible wall between her and the rest of the world. She is isolated with only a cow, a dog, a cat and the land and wildlife around her. It is a beautifully written book and makes the reader ask lots of questions about our ability to be self sufficient, our relationship with the environment and with animals and the meaning of life. Each of the animals is a wonderfully drawn character and the narrator (who has no name) draws great comfort from them. The Wall itself is fascinating too, it could be symbolic of psychological or political isolation or could represent environmental breakdown. I read this book in German, normally a language that feels like hard work to me, but not with this book.

This is a spare copy, it had been sitting in a local second hand shop for months so I finally bought it. Everyone I know who's read it, loves this novel.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Given to Yowlyy at our minimeet with Bookfrogster.

I can't believe I've had this book for so long... many thanks again for the gift :)
Unfortunately, I found it difficult to read, and cannot warm up to the main (and only) character. Maybe it is just the wrong time to read this type of novel, so I have decided to take it with me to Germany in a few weeks and pass it on to someone who will appreciate it more than I could.

I can't believe I've had this book for so long... many thanks again for the gift :)
Unfortunately, I found it difficult to read, and cannot warm up to the main (and only) character. Maybe it is just the wrong time to read this type of novel, so I have decided to take it with me to Germany in a few weeks and pass it on to someone who will appreciate it more than I could.