That wall is the novel’s central metaphor. It represents the distance between the #1 and the #2. It is close enough to kill, but too far to trust. The Successor spends the entire novel trying to understand what the Emperor wants. Does he want loyalty? Incompetence? Death?
Have you read Kadare’s work? Do you think the "Successor" was mad, or was he the only rational man in the room? Let me know in the comments below. Disclaimer: This post analyzes the literary themes of Ismail Kadare’s novel and does not claim to represent verified historical facts regarding the death of Mehmet Shehu. cmendurite e perandorit
The Emperor survives because he is the madness. The rest of us just live inside it. ★★★★★ (5/5) – A masterclass in political horror. That wall is the novel’s central metaphor