Last House Before the Mountain
In 1914, Maria and Josef live with their children at the end of a valley in westernmost Austria. Their forefathers, poor itinerant laborers, arrived there later than others; villagers called them die baggage (undesirables). Upon the outbreak of WWI, Josef is drafted. Before leaving for the front, mindful of his wife’s beauty, he asks the mayor to “watch out for Maria,” left alone to provide for the children. Having meager means and receiving very little money from Joseph’s wages, they are driven to near starvation. The affluent mayor helps a bit and brings provisions but expects favors from Maria in return.
A German stranger arrives in the village. He is attracted to Maria, who is happy to meet him. Joseph also returns home on leave a couple of times. However, the consequences of Maria’s encounter with the stranger affect the family’s future. Later, Maria’s granddaughter traces her ancestry.
Monika Helfer has penned this novel partially from her own family’s history, giving it authenticity. Also, narrating it from the point of view of Maria’s granddaughter adds an intimate appeal. However, using a nonlinear chapterless structure, with frequent diversions from the main storyline and flashbacks, requires careful reading. The novel does transport us to witness the harsh living conditions, and work practices, during WWI in a remote village in the Austrian mountains.
This is not a novel about war but rather the conflicts and hardships faced by those left behind at home. While based on real events, the story is also an allegory of the influence on innocent citizens of political decisions made by national governments to go to war. Generations can feel the consequences of such actions.
