The Wall: A Dystopian Novella

by Scott E Gelowitz

In a bleak future, is life really better on the other side of the border wall?

Sixteen-year-old Kanen dreams of finding a way over the Wall.

Old stories tell of things on the other side like automobiles, computers, and entire buildings where food sits on rows of shelves stretching as far as the eye can see - things they used to have in the time before the Wall was constructed.

During the century the Wall has been standing, many in his community have attempted to cross over. All have failed, sometimes killed in the process, so the Elders have forbidden anyone from trying.

But that doesn’t make Kanen’s desire any less, especially since the food supply around him is dwindling daily.

Are things really better on the other side?

Come follow Kanen as he tries to find out.

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 18, 2018

Reviews

[Daysha Middleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

the book was good, short and sweet. i was reading it on a flight back home from vacay, and had like 3 chapters to go by the end of the flight and i was wanting to read it while waiting for my bags at baggage claim lmao.

[OldBird · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was going to say that this read like an inoffensive boy-centric Middle Grade/Young Adult, but it gets a bit grimmer than I'd have expected for the young writing style. I went from mildly entertained (this story evidently not being for my demographic) to mildly shocked and disappointed. It's written comprehensively enough barring the odd over-use of punctuation, but despite being a short story I felt it drag on and not really go anywhere.

1.5 stars because while I didn't downright hate it or feel it was terribly badly written, the pacing and ending just ruined it for me.

[Yesmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

tbh all i have to say is wow. tbh this is a story i was intrigued with since the beginning. this is a story defining the phrase “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side”. i am quite sad that the main character had to die and even more upset when i say dugal die. dugal was an amazing person even tho i did suspect him in the beggining. i love the relationship they had and am so sad he couldn’t see the lights closer. though i am extremely upset about the main characters death. i personally think this was a great book and such a sad one.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this book because I really didn't like my least read of 2020 book and wanted to replace it. I'm glad I did.

My expectations for this novella weren't that high as I began to read it, but things really picked up in the last third and it made me wish this book was just a little bit longer. It reminds me of The Giver, and I wouldn't have minded if this became a series.

[Kennedyy · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book was pretty good at the beginning...
It had some very good plot twists. A very promising story... and then boom. It ended. I felt like the author just got sick of writing so they were like oh well let’s just let the main character die and end it. Like WHAT???😂😂😂
I was super confused 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Sarah Schindler · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a short dystopian read, give this book a go. I really enjoyed this story and read it in one sitting. The characters are well written and have a pretty in depth back story for such a shot book. I will definitely be checking out the authors other books.

[Allobrox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting novella. Good plot and characters. Love the story, eager to learn more about this universe.

[Laura L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story. Wished it went on longer and delved a little deeper into what's happening.