Told through an unnamed narrator's eyes as he goes between East and West Berlin collecting stories of the divided city, The Wall Jumper isn't quite a novel. But what is it? A piece of cleverly-disguised journalism? A commentary on, or criticism of, the entire situation? I don't know for certain, save that it succeeds in being a portrait of personal German-German relations and realities in the Cold War era. Through various personalities and anecdotes on both sides of the Wall, Schneider investigates life "where political continents collide," asking "where does the state end and a self begin?" while observing that "it will take us longer to tear down the wall in our heads than any wrecking company."
This style of writing isn't normally my thing, but I really enjoyed this. I found it fair to both East and West perspectives: a profound and poignant insight into life in the Cold War era (and humanity in general). It's short and worthy of contemplation.
Rating: A
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