612. The Quest for Christa T.

The Quest for Christa T.
Christa Wolf
1968
Around Christa Wolf

Interesting fact: I have now read all the novels on the List that start with the letter "Q." Please hold your applause until the end of this post. 

The story focuses on Christa T., from the German Democratic Republic, who is slowly dying from leukemia. The structure is fairly confusing and non linear, and we know from the jump what happens to Christa, so it's a pretty slow march of misery.

The perspective here is unique, and I like novels that take on the patriarchy as much as the next feminist. But the novel doesn't really go anywhere, as our narrator is mostly interested in piecing together Christa's life, rather than creating a compelling narrative.

Really demonstrates how totalitarianism is detrimental to its followers, as well as its decriers. Worth reading, and I'm going to have to chew on it more.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

One of David Bowie's favorite books.

UP NEXT: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Phillip K. Dick