High-Rise Hustle: Life on the Eighteenth Floor, a Story of Struggle and Survival
Written by Sara Gmür
Aspirations for Living Above the 16th Floor
Are you ready to dive into a gritty, raw tale of resilience? Then get ready to meet Wanda and her fellow high-rise dwellers. This novel, penned by Swiss author and rapper Sara Gmür, revolves around the lives of these women who call the 18th floor of a run-down East Berlin high-rise their home.
Our protagonist, Wanda, is a mother with a dream left unfulfilled. Aspiring to break through the acting scene, she grapples with the challenges that come with being a single parent, fighting to provide for her five-year-old daughter Karlie. But when Wanda's big break comes knocking, her timing couldn't be worse - Karlie falls ill just as the deal is about to be closed. With unrelenting guilt, Wanda flies back home to tend to her daughter while leaving her dreams teetering on the edge.
Living on a Knife's Edge
As Karlie fights for her life in the hospital, Wanda grapples with the harsh realities of lower class life. Her hopes for a glamorous future and the attractions of the film industry fade away, pushed into the background by her daughter's health and well-being. Now, a world away from the luxurious bar where she could've signed her big break, Wanda spends her time in the courtyard of the high-rise, surrounded by other single mothers, bonded by their struggles yet brimming with hope.
When the opportunity for a new role comes knocking, Wanda seizes it despite the increasing pressure and her own sanity hanging in the balance. The story unfolds as we follow Wanda and the other women as they strive to escape their grim surroundings and build a brighter future for themselves and their children.
An Unapologetic Portrayal
Sara Gmür, who started rapping as a child and found her way into literature through songwriting, draws on her experiences in her writing. Her raw, unfiltered style shines through every page, capturing the struggles and hopes of the characters she has crafted. Between the glitzy Parisian nights and glamorous film shoots, Gmür exposes the ugly underbelly of wealth and power, providing a touching portrayal of the lives of those struggling to make ends meet.
A Promising Novel
"Eighteenth Floor" feels like the script for an intriguing Netflix series, with precise descriptions and well-crafted dialogues alternating between Wanda's thoughts, the harsh reality of Berlin, and insights into the film industry. Though Gmür occasionally slips into cliché, her authentically and lovingly drawn female perspective makes for a compelling read, as we follow the twists and turns of the characters' lives.
- The community policy in the high-rise where Wanda and other single mothers reside may need to be reevaluated, considering their struggles and hopes for a better future.
- Instead of pursuing fashion-and-beauty or entertainment, Wanda finds solace in the home-and-garden of the high-rise courtyard, surrounded by other single parents.
- For those interested in education-and-self-development, High-Rise Hustle: Life on the Eighteenth Floor offers a raw and engaging story about resilience and the gritty realities of life, penned by author and rapper Sara Gmür.
