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A review by erboe501
The Blank Wall by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding
5.0
This book was a fast and engaging read. I was prepared for the syntax and conversation pattern to be stilted, or at least requiring some effort, because of how old it was, but it read pretty similar to a modern novel. Fast-paced while also detailing domesticity, I moved through the plot quickly.
One aspect of the book that does not translate to today, especially after this summer's protests, was the depiction of Lucia's maid Sibyl. Sibyl in many ways serves as the foil to Lucia, functioning to flesh out our main, white protagonist, more so than as a character worthy of her own interiority. She takes care of countless household duties to help Lucia appear a competent housewife. She becomes an unspoken confidante in Lucia's criminal complicity. She takes care of Lucia when she is tired, feeds her, and calls for help when Lucia needs it. When we do get a glimpse into Sibyl's personal life--that her husband has been imprisoned for years--Lucia is shocked that she's known Sibyl for over a decade and never known this. But it shouldn't really come as a surprise; Lucia seems only to see Sibyl as she functions in her own life. Lucia incriminates Sibyl to help save her own family, without any thought for how Sibyl could get in trouble. I would love to read an essay that examines Sibyl's role in the story from a critical race theory perspective.
The second fascinating aspect of the story is how clearly suffocating and restrictive Lucia finds the role of mother and housewife. Her daughter dismisses Lucia as unworldly, narrow-minded, uninteresting because she married straight out of high school and never had a career. Lucia's children and father constantly demand her attention. In fact, they consider it their right to know where she's going and what she's doing at any time. She is constantly surveilled and judged. But Lucia also draws strength from her familial responsibility. It empowers her to cover up crimes and lie to family and police alike. I couldn't help but recognize, though, that Lucia is able to undertake what she does because of her presumed innocence as a white, middle class housewife from good people. After awakening to her own strength and ability, I can't help but wonder what the next chapter of her life will look like after the book's resolution.
One aspect of the book that does not translate to today, especially after this summer's protests, was the depiction of Lucia's maid Sibyl. Sibyl in many ways serves as the foil to Lucia, functioning to flesh out our main, white protagonist, more so than as a character worthy of her own interiority. She takes care of countless household duties to help Lucia appear a competent housewife. She becomes an unspoken confidante in Lucia's criminal complicity. She takes care of Lucia when she is tired, feeds her, and calls for help when Lucia needs it. When we do get a glimpse into Sibyl's personal life--that her husband has been imprisoned for years--Lucia is shocked that she's known Sibyl for over a decade and never known this. But it shouldn't really come as a surprise; Lucia seems only to see Sibyl as she functions in her own life. Lucia incriminates Sibyl to help save her own family, without any thought for how Sibyl could get in trouble. I would love to read an essay that examines Sibyl's role in the story from a critical race theory perspective.
The second fascinating aspect of the story is how clearly suffocating and restrictive Lucia finds the role of mother and housewife. Her daughter dismisses Lucia as unworldly, narrow-minded, uninteresting because she married straight out of high school and never had a career. Lucia's children and father constantly demand her attention. In fact, they consider it their right to know where she's going and what she's doing at any time. She is constantly surveilled and judged. But Lucia also draws strength from her familial responsibility. It empowers her to cover up crimes and lie to family and police alike. I couldn't help but recognize, though, that Lucia is able to undertake what she does because of her presumed innocence as a white, middle class housewife from good people. After awakening to her own strength and ability, I can't help but wonder what the next chapter of her life will look like after the book's resolution.