Axolotl Roadkill
by Helene Hegemann
Nomination: Dublin Longlist 2014
Date Read: April 30, 2022
Axolotl Roadkill is a controversial novel for many reasons. First, the novel was authored by a girl who was only 16; 17 by the time it was published. Not only is this novel shocking for graphic and often violent content but the intellectualism portrayed by Mifti, the narrator of the story. She is precocious and obviously a fictional manifestation of Hegemann herself.
Like Hegemann, Mifti’s mother died and her father abandoned her. Left to her own devices for survival, she falls into all the trappings of the teenage years – dropping out of school, experimental sex, drugs and psychologically torturous relationships. The only people left to hold Mifti accountable are her siblings Edmond and Annika. While they attempt to keep Mifti on the rails, they all realize, Mifti included, that no one can really do that except Mifti herself.
Second, after publication Hegemann was accused of plagiarism by a blogger who she referenced several times. After reading several articles about these “transgressions,” I find them very minimal and were easily corrected in subsequent translations from the original German.
What remains is my shock and awe that Hegemann was able to write a novel so introspective and brilliantly chaotic. Through Mifti, it seems like Hegemann is attempting to understand her own struggle, abandonment and isolation. I hope the haters keep their mitts off her and her talent is encouraged to bloom.
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