The Wall
William Sutcliffe
The Wall is a new book that hasn't yet been published, but is due to be this April, and I along with a group of other people are sort of like the test audience. As far as themes and topics go, I would consider this book to be a political thriller, as it describes life in a segregated community through the eyes of a teenage boy.
This story is set in the town of Amarias, (a fictional town) that is encased by a large stone wall that the people are forbidden to cross, unless through the checkpoint that is manned by the military. This wall acts as a barrier: its primary function is to separate two towns that may only be miles apart, but are in fact worlds away from each other in culture, values and morals. The town that we spend the most time in, is Amarias - the home of the protagonist, Joshua. Joshua is a fourteen year old boy, who unlike most others in his community, is unaccustomed to the rules and history of the wall. Although just a teenager, he is mature in his ways of thinking, and frequently comes to question the idea of segregation, and the twisted ideology that a simple stone wall can ensure a life of safety and comfort to the privileged of Amarias, who despite this are still unforgiving and paranoid. Though many of these Amarian civilians have never crossed the wall, they have grown up with a natural hatred for the other side and its inhabitants, spawn from generations of lies and myths. This is why I think that Joshua's story is so important, as it highlights the importance of the conscience, and how it is hugely influential in deciding and changing the opinion of an individual, which can go on to decide and influence the fate of others. The very fact that the character is sensitive to his conscience, is what Sutcliffe uses as a driving force to power the rising action and climax of the story, which is that after a moment of hunger of intrigue and adventure, Joshua ends up on the other side of the wall (unknowedly posed as a great threat to himself and others) and is saved by a young girl named Leila. Despite nearly not making back to the other side alive, Joshua feels in debt to her for her kindness, and swears to return with the one thing that he knows her and her family desperately need. However, little does he know that by returning, he will damage his already unstable relationship with his mother and step-father, but will more importantly learn the true meaning of self-sacrifice, fear, pain, love, hatred and sadness.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, as although being emotionally charged and poignant at times, it has also many cryptic and hidden meanings and symbolism, which add depth to the characters and story. Through Sutcliffe's intense description, I have come to understand what life is like for children, adults and parents on both halves of a social divide, and I feel lucky that I was able to learn so much from this story, as it has helped me to empathise with the hundreds of thousands of people who live in this way across the world.
