The Wall

by John Lanchester
The Wall cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 1722
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-08
  • ISBN: 9780571298730
  • Published: 2019-06-11
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Wall follows Kavanagh as he begins his patrol along a massive barrier separating his world from an unknown threat. With 729 nights left to serve, he hopes to survive and leave the Wall behind forever. But as he faces the harsh realities of his duty, he grapples with the possibility of confrontation with the mysterious Others. This gripping tale explores themes of isolation, duty, and the human condition in a world that feels eerily familiar yet disturbingly alien. Praised for its masterful storytelling and remarkable insight, The Wall is a thrilling and heartbreaking exploration of a troubled world. It delves into the psychological and emotional struggles of its characters, offering a poignant commentary on society and the lengths to which people go to protect what they hold dear.

Reviews
Fantasy Hive · The Unseen Academic · 2021-01-01
engaging 3.50

The novel's pacing is intense, devouring its characters and settings rapidly. The story's cyclical nature adds a unique layer to the narrative.

The reviewer notes that 'The Wall' has a relentless pace that consumes its characters and settings quickly. This intensity is compared to a serpent eating its own tail, creating a cyclical and somewhat chaotic narrative. While the fast-paced storytelling is engaging, it also means that the characters and settings don't have much time to develop fully. The reviewer appreciates the unique structure and the way it adds depth to the story, but acknowledges that it might not be for everyone.

Quick quotes

    In the end Lanchester's book devours its characters and settings at an ever-increasing rate and – a bit like the Midgard serpent eating its own tail – reveals a cyclical nature to the story.

    The Wall is the bleaker book, yet it's infinitely less solemn, in part because of its chatty, pithy voice, recognisable from Lanchester's journalism.

    It's not a new trick, but in Lanchester's hands, The Wall shows how calamity cannot cleave politics from environmentalism.

DeeDi Reads · 2020-05-24
compelling 4.50

The novel reads like a classic dystopian allegory with a vivid setting and memorable narrator. It is gripping and gritty, making it a compelling read.

The reviewer finds 'The Wall' to be a classic dystopian novel with a vivid setting and a memorable narrator. The story is gripping and gritty, making it a compelling read. They appreciate the unapologetic dystopian allegory and the way it explores themes of survival and humanity. The narrative is engaging, and the setting is vividly described, adding to the overall impact of the story. The reviewer highly recommends it to fans of dystopian fiction.

Quick quotes

    The Wall reads like a classic, with an unapologetic dystopian allegory, vivid setting, and memorable narrator.

    It's gripping and gritty and dives deep into the politics of fear, survival, and humanity in a world on the brink.

    I really enjoyed The Wall by John Lanchester! It's a compelling, dystopian read that dives deep into the politics of fear, survival, and humanity in a world on the brink.

The Guardian · 2019-01-15
thought-provoking 4.50

The novel is a disquieting yet compelling environmental fable that effectively explores contemporary fears. It blends realism and metaphor to create a thought-provoking narrative.

The reviewer finds 'The Wall' to be a deeply unsettling yet captivating read. They appreciate how the novel uses a dystopian setting to tackle real-world issues like climate change and political division. The blend of realism and metaphor makes the story both relatable and thought-provoking. The narrative voice is engaging, and the exploration of fear and survival adds depth to the story. Overall, it's a powerful commentary on contemporary society.

Quick quotes

    This is the dystopia that John Lanchester has created in his fifth novel, an environmental fable that manages to be both disquieting and quite compelling.

    From Brexit to migration, this masterly climate change dystopia explores contemporary fears with a blend of realism and metaphor.

    It is very good: a well-structured, well-paced story with a narrative drive that keeps you going through the monotony of life on the Wall.

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