The Wall by Gautam Bhatia — An Emerging Spec-fic reviving the Soul of Democracy
Author: Gautam Bhatia
ISBN: 978–9353578350
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Length: 420 Pages
Publication Date: 13th August 2020
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Buy now: https://amzn.to/3dXZYVa
About the Author:
Gautam Bhatia is a science fiction writer, reviewer, and an editor of the award-winning Strange Horizons magazine. The Wall is his first novel.
Connect with the author:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gautambhatia88
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gautam_bhatia_books/
Introduction to ‘The Wall’
‘And so it begins.’ These words at the end of the first book — in the series, The Chronicles of Sumer — mark the beginning of a revolution for freedom — of imagination, of exploration, and of seeking the truth — in a city entirely bound by a Wall. The Wall by Gautam Bhatia is a speculative fiction novel set in the city of Sumer, where the day begins with Wallrise and ends in the same manner, the Wall enclosing Sumer — featureless black, blacker than all — dissolving into the night.
Gautam Bhatia is a D.Phil. candidate at the University of Oxford. This work of fiction seems to reflect his extensive knowledge of constitutional philosophy as well as his sound understanding of socio-economic and political issues relating to India.
The Wall could also, be regarded as an Indian fantasy novel for — as Indra Das says in his editorial review — it uses some popular but mostly distinctive fantasy tropes to portray a city that appears to be closely inspired by India — its people, culture, and other socio-economic factors. This is a skillfully narrated allegory that digs deeper to the core of democracy through the conflicts of ideologies, spellbinding characters — progressive and reactionary, and extracts the true meaning of freedom. Besides, the book is a limitless treasure of fascinating new world elements, a world so colorful despite the Wall, yet on the brink of another revolution.
Summary of Content
The city of Sumer is said to be confined inside this Wall for two thousand years and it continues to survive with just the right amount of resources available. The only river that flows on the land of Sumer, the Rasa, divides the city into two large semi-circles, one of which is mainly covered by the farmlands and another is an actual city where the Sumerians live. The most intriguing of the aspects in any spec-fic would be the world-building and The Wall is not an exception. This cleverly designed city has its class structure and differences clearly visible through symbolism. Symbolism as a theme is prevalent throughout the book: the prime example being the Wall, blinding one’s vision who lives within, suspending any kind of progress.
Talking about the class structure, there are fifteen tributaries of the Rasa spread across the city, forming fifteen arcs known as Circles. The first five Circles belong to the rich Sumerians called the Elders, owners of the farmlands, and stone mansions. The latter ten circles belong to the working class Sumerians including, farmers, carers, singers, the Watch (the police), ironworkers, woodworkers, messengers, etc. Here, the structures gradually shift from stone buildings to mud-brick houses, clearly stating the economic inequalities and differences, quite apparent and easier to understand. The architecture of Sumer gives the impression of various Indian and South Asian architectural styles that have existed throughout the medieval period until the end of the early modern period.
The main conflict for this first installment is between Young Tarafians and every other organization that stops them from breaching the Wall. Young Tarafians is a group named after Taraf — the first of those who realized that the Wall must be breached. Mithila-Seven, the protagonist, is the singer from the Seventh Circle, who is leading the Young Tarafians. Mithila is a fervent and progressive character, completely driven by her goal — she would cut across anything or anyone to achieve what she wants. At the very beginning, she makes it clear that she knows her rights well and how to retain her liberties in this democracy.
The democracy in Sumer is backed by the Council, where the laws are made and debates are held and it ensures the fundamental rights of Sumerians. And there are Shoortans, who are claimed to be the guardians of the Wall and they do so rigidly and punishments are severe. Shoortanism is an orthodox belief system that is obsessed with harmony. In Sumer, everyone knows their place, and if anyone dares to cross boundaries set by the Builders, Shoortans are entitled to hold them liable for invoking chaos into the order they have preserved for 2000 years, eventually leading to the breaching of the Wall. The Select is a scientific organization that helps regulate and direct energies and their innovation and research make life easier inside the Wall.
The catalyst for the nearing revolution is in the form of a protest. It is followed by strange and inexplicable events. Some take this opportunity to start campaigns to suit their agendas, parallel to that for social equality. Mithila makes her presence felt in Sumer as she persuades people to understand why the Wall must be torn down. And so, sensing the threat it poses to the peace of Sumer, some people are determined to ban Young Tarafians and more so because they are afraid of losing their power. Meanwhile, readers come to know why Sumer functions the way it does. The history that most Sumerians know explains it all, but there are only a few people to question the version of history they are told.
‘This isn’t about writing, is it? It’s about only you getting to decide what is written.’
Analysis and evaluation
As time passes, Mithila becomes more determined about her purpose as she learns the history of Sumer through the bits and pieces of literature that is available in the city where you’re not allowed to write history for there exists only one truth and that only Shoortans get to write. That is what it comes down to — extreme exclusivism characterized by oppression, ignorance, and intolerance. The book highlights the significance of art and literature in the course of the revolution, fighting off this exclusivism. Songs, in particular, emerge as a magnificent device that fuels emotions and steers the revolution in the right direction.
Suppression of freedom of expression is not the only kind of oppression that exists in Sumer, there is social and economic inequality, which have persisted even after democracy because of the watertight circular boundaries. As the caste system is not just a division of labors, but also a division of laborers, where these watertight compartments are graded one above the other. Similarly in Sumer, people are appointed to positions of authority not because of their capacities or competency, but on the basis of what Circles they’re born to. Besides, there is a purely unfair distribution of income leading to vast income inequality. The book comes in handy for explaining how this affects society.
Still, the Wall remains intact, for the groundless belief considers it life-protecting. This gives way to another discussion about faith and suppression of social, moral, and scientific progress. John and Andrew — authors of the conflict thesis — argue that when your religion offers a definite solution to problems of purpose, morality, origins, or science, it often discourages exploration of a broader perspective by suppressing curiosity. ‘Imagine a horizon.’ ‘I can’t.’ These two lines are evidence of the suppressed imagination. However, imagining is not the problem here, imagining things that exist only beyond the Wall is prohibited. Talking about scientific progress, the Sci-Fi theme is perceptible in certain parts of the book. Obviously, it is not consistent in the book, in fact, it is quite obtrusive because there is only so much one can do inside the Wall.
One of the most prominent subjects that Gautam Bhatia has addressed is how crucial dissent is for a democracy to survive. There is this chapter titled ‘The Great Debate’ which completely caught me off-guard. Well, the book is the reserve of philosophical quotes and striking and mind-blowing dialogues, which can literally be used in parliament or a courtroom when needed. In this particular chapter, the President of the Council — Hansa, smoothly carries out ‘The Great Debate’, in which Mithila speaks for Young Tarafians, defending their purpose; they were given a chance to do so, to speak. This reminds me of the words of Amartya Sen: he said, ‘Democratic governments have to face public criticism and have strong incentive to undertake measures to avert famines and other catastrophes.’ The Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen’s research of the Bengal Famine of 1943 suggests that it had not occurred merely because of food shortages, but a free press and a government willing to hear could have averted this. And Britishers had no intention of helping the situation.
Moving on to the writing style, The Wall is an exceptional addition to Indian literature. The author has succeeded in articulating every feeling and the experiences of this newly found world to the readers. Besides, what fascinates me more is the author’s choice of creating feminist literature. Sumer is free of gender biases and there is not the slightest hint of it in the narrator’s voice. Apart from the female protagonist, women and men are leading Sumer equally.
Gender neutrality is another trait of this book and the author has nailed it in many ways. It is an idea that policies, language, and social institutions should avoid distinguishing roles based on people’s sex or gender. And the author seems to have successfully avoided this discrimination. Taking a hint from the character’s name or their social role, you wouldn’t be able to approximate whether the character is a man or a woman. Such diverse representation this book carries and gives hope for a better future. While talking about diversity and inclusion, how can I forget the lesbian romance this book offers? Gautam Bhatia has elegantly illustrated this pure-union as they say in Sumer.
A few last words
The Wall, like any other novel, has its own set of flaws, but that doesn’t come anywhere near to what this book offers you. The Wall in my opinion sets a new high for Indian fantasy and spec-fic novels. This phenomenal debut of Gautam Bhatia reflects the many ideologies that exist in this world and has the potential to revive the soul of any democracy if need be.
‘The only barriers we tolerate are those we have agreed to impose upon ourselves. Anything else can, should, must be torn down.’
And so it begins.
Dhiraj Sindhi
Dhiraj Sindhi is the author of Winged Sisters, freelance content writer, book blogger & reviewer. He’s blogging at THE SECRETS OF MY UNIVERSE for more than two years now.
He lives in a coastal town, Khambhat of Gujarat, waiting for the sequel to The Wall. :P
Instagram: @binge_bawse_
