Overheard
by Dominik Barta
Genre: Literary Fiction
ISBN: 9780299351540
Print Length: 168 pages
Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press
Reviewed by Lola Lee
The lives of neighbors in a Viennese apartment building interweave in this intimate exploration of human relationships and self-discovery.
Kurt is a gay German and English teacher in his thirties who moves to his aunt’s old apartment in Vienna, Italy. What he doesn’t anticipate is how thin the walls are.
At first, he feels unsettled by the noisy atmosphere in the building, but as he adjusts to his new home, his perspective begins to change. The protagonist’s journey is shaped by the people he overhears and interacts with, and tensions rise as his perceptions of his neighbors evolve.
“But once again, I was not alone. From beyond the wall, the human stirrings spilled over too clearly. It wasn’t just the intrusive sound of footsteps, urination, and throat-clearing that bothered me. What distressed me even more was imagining how someone else was listening to me.”
Initially, Kurt forms his personal judgments based on the little pieces of sounds and conversations he overhears—footsteps, toilet flushes, and the quiet murmurs of life unfolding just beyond his walls. As he begins to engage with the lives of the building’s residents, he uncovers more of their complicated and sometimes painful pasts.
Two standout characters are Derr Drechsler, an elderly man who carries the weight of unrequited love, and Regina, a meticulous scientist who disrupts the lives of those around her with her distinctive approach to life. The building itself seems like a small town filled with singular individuals, each with their own secrets and desires.
Barta weaves these interpersonal stories well, layering in themes of love, sexuality, migration, and self-discovery. The deeply felt exploration of loneliness remains the heart of the story.
In the second half of the book, the plot turns toward the political and grows more suspenseful with new narratives from outside the building life. These changes introduce new twists, but some of them feel underdeveloped—perhaps a felt repercussion of the novel’s shorter length.
Still, every page of Overheard is worth reading. The pace doesn’t falter, and Barta’s exploration of how people’s lives intertwine is sharply compelling.
It’s also worth mentioning the great work of the translator, Gary Schmidt, who not only provides a smooth and fluent translation but offers readers a helpful introduction and a glossary of German terms and local references.
“I’m such a sweet gay man. But who wants me? Who smashes a glass against the wall because of me? I’m filled with jealousy, shame, and convulsions. It’s going to kill me. What I wouldn’t do to be like you!”
Overheard is a product made of rich storytelling in its stellar location. It’s a thoughtful meditation on how we perceive one another, and it’s wrapped in suspense. Kurt’s journey is one of self-discovery and transformation. It’s fascinating to see how the seemingly small interactions and relationships in a shared space can create a ripple effect and change lives forever.
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