A novella which like the later “Proleterka” casts a literary spell. The writer evokes teenage life in a Swiss girls school through the eyes of Eve the narrator, with a strong suggestion of charged memoir.
Eve’s inner reflections and thoughts are centred on the seemingly perfect, to Eve, Frederika, who is on a pedestal, “a tall marbly figure”. This takes place in a setting of pristine alpine scenery and spartan school life, which manages Eve and makes her conform. The outer person is controlled, mannered, presented. Like many things Eve feels ambivalent about this, which fires her observations, feelings and reactions.
The language is spare, precise, dreamy and unflinching, embodying longing, regret and resignation. The narrator reveals and conceals, the reader is both enthralled and addressed indirectly. On page one the Appenzell setting is referred to as, “It’s an Arcadia of sickness.”
The potential for mental illness is present. Is Frederika an alter ego, or even part of Eve?
The northern alpine culture is contrasted at one point with a fantasy of Frederika strolling barefoot along a Spanish shore, only once and never realised. Reality is as fleeting as the fantasy, but imperfect. Later scenes follow the adult characters and explain why the days of discipline were sweet. Everything is incisively written.
Beautiful prose poetry from Jaeggy. The only way to appreciate it its to read it.
Mark's Reviews 