Claire Thomas's 'On Not Climbing Mountains' Blends Grief with Swiss Historical Vignettes
In her latest novel, On Not Climbing Mountains, Claire Thomas crafts an ambitious narrative that intertwines personal loss with a rich tapestry of historical and literary references. The book follows Beatrice, a solitary narrator traveling by train through Switzerland, her father's birthplace, as she seeks solace from grief by immersing herself in research about famous figures connected to the country.
A Shift in Mountain Perception and Narrative Tone
Thomas notes that until the late 18th century, Switzerland's mountains were merely a distant backdrop, but philosophers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau transformed them into sites of spiritual enlightenment. This historical shift mirrors the novel's tone, which is curiously impersonal yet deeply introspective. Beatrice's journey is driven by a desire to feel "beside the point, outside time," reflecting her emotional detachment.
Vignette Chapters Featuring Historical Figures
Each chapter centers on a historical figure such as Mary Shelley, James Baldwin, Charlie Chaplin, or Katherine Mansfield, whose ties to Switzerland range from direct to tenuous. Thomas presents these not as conventional portraits but through oblique, lightly-touched narratives that suggest larger stories behind confined details. The influence of Swiss painter Jean-Frédéric Schnyder, who depicted mundane interiors like train station waiting rooms, is evident in the book's careful framing and meticulous selection of historical elements.
Ambiguity and Literary Intertextuality
The novel thrives on ambiguity, with Thomas foregrounding small details before revealing broader contexts. For instance, what seems like a historical account might turn out to be a character from a Graham Greene story, or descriptions of alpine landscapes could actually refer to Nabokov's butterfly observations under a microscope. This blurring of fact and fiction, along with a melancholic tone and solitary narrator, shows clear influences from writers like WG Sebald.
Beatrice's Grief and Emotional Withdrawal
Beatrice remains an enigmatic presence, with her name only revealed halfway through the book. Her detachment stems from grief over her parents' loss, and her Swiss-related research serves as a futile distraction. In rare present-day scenes, such as a visit from her father's friend, she feels "emptied once more," highlighting the inadequacy of art and stories to alleviate her pain.
Stylistic Departure and Reader Engagement
Compared to Thomas's previous novel The Performance, which was propulsive and humorous, On Not Climbing Mountains is slower and more subtle, accruing meaning through association and digression. While some readers may find the limited action and fleeting access to Beatrice's interiority frustrating, patient readers might appreciate the intricate, oblique narrative. Ultimately, the book is an impressively crafted work that explores the endurance of art amidst personal turmoil.
On Not Climbing Mountains by Claire Thomas is published by Hachette Australia, offering a nuanced take on memory, history, and grief through a Swiss lens.
