The audiobook version of Sarah Hall’s novel ‘Helm,’ narrated by Louise Brealey, has been released to explore the destructive power of a northeasterly wind.
The work stands out for its unconventional perspective, centering the narrative on a non-human force of nature rather than a traditional human protagonist. By focusing on the wind as a character, the story examines the intersection of geography and human suffering in the Pennines.
The story is set in the northeasterly region of Britain, specifically focusing on Cross Fell in the Pennines [1]. The plot follows the wind, named Helm, as it interacts with the people and landscapes it affects through the ages [1]. Hall spent 20 years writing the novel [1].
Louise Brealey provides the narration for the audio version of the text. Brealey said the performance teases out the playful and poetic moments of these shapeshifting stories, told from the perspective of the northeasterly wind and those it has wreaked chaos on through the ages [1].
The narrative structure utilizes shapeshifting stories to convey the erratic nature of the wind [1]. This approach allows the author to depict the wind not just as a weather event, but as an active participant in the history of the region. The result is a study of chaos, and the enduring influence of the natural world on human existence.
Critics have noted the rarity of the subject matter. A review from The Washington Post said that while saying the book blew them away would be too cute, it is the first novel they have ever read about wind [2].
“it is the first novel I've ever read about wind”
The release of 'Helm' as an audiobook highlights a trend toward experimental narrative perspectives in contemporary literature. By centering a story on a meteorological force, Hall challenges traditional character development and uses the specific geography of the Pennines to explore the relationship between environmental volatility and human vulnerability.
