To knit the novel together, I focus most on two very different characters: Finley Tandy, who, almost by simply sitting quietly on the wall, ends up becoming a strangely peaceable fulcrum within the group, having both a curious and telling effect on those around him. And Juliet, a real worrier, who, fascinated by Finley’s extraordinarily equable detachment, finds herself growing massively in confidence during this first school year.” Finley feels a deliciously strange, yet wholly plausible character. He is an individual who thinks and behaves in ways that are different to many of his peers. This can be frustratingly enigmatic to his classmates and even teachers, but despite this he attracts their respect and admiration and cares out a real role for himself in the form.
Describing Finley’s creation Anne comments: “Authors use bits of people they know and alter things round the edges. Finley simply accepts himself as he is. He’s not a yearner. He has a peaceable soul. For all that we tend to think of young people as noisy and rambunctious, there are a lot of quiet children about. Finley is unusual in that, though in no way smug, he seems to walk around cloaked in such serene contentment that everyone in the school becomes intrigued.” Finley feels an emotionally rich character. Writing about the inner emotional live of boys has become something of a trademark for Anne. “I’ve never understood why anyone would ever assume boys are in any way less feeling and thoughtful than girls inside, except that social pressures still push them into exhibiting themselves in a different way. All the boys I know well have rich inner lives and real and deep emotions. Many of the greatest and most insightful writers we have ever
had were male. Remember, I’m an old-fashioned feminist. We spent so much time trying to fight against stereotypical gender assumptions. I suppose, at least within myself and as a writer, I won that battle several decades ago.”
There’s a hugely empathetic quality to the novel and the multiple, subtle and nuanced ways it promotes understanding. Anne reflects upon Eva Ibbotson’s comment that “books help children to lead bigger lives”. Anne feels “children who read end up questioning their own assumptions, and though, only able to live through one particular childhood themselves, see into other people’s situations, and other aspects of life in as much depth as the author can offer”.
Anne describes how having no understanding of how people tick can be deeply limiting, saying: “Characters in books can become totally real to the reader. You may well know them better than the real person beside you. As with developing strength through muscle use, I suppose the more experience you have of feeling empathy for characters in books, the easier it is to foster in yourself a deeper understanding of those around you. After all, what is carved in stone over so many of our greatest libraries? “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom. And with all thy getting, get understanding.” On the Wall offers readers understanding aplenty both about others, but crucially also about ourselves providing insights that bolster and build inner resilience. This is crucial to deal with the changes and challenge of a fast-moving world. As Anne herself comments: “Books can be life-changing in that way.” PEN&INC
Autumn-Winter 2024
PEN&INC. 15
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