A Life in the Making is a memoir of the life of Franz Michael Felder in which he gives us an in-depth, introspective look into his life and the experiences that played a pivotal role in the groundwork of his life's ideologies. Set in the 19th century, the story of his life is quite the contrast of the life that we are leading in this day and age. This difference in time, society and ideologies is what intrigues me most about this book.

The gradual progression of his view of the world what beautifully put together. However, personally I thought that a few parts of the story seemed slow and slightly repetitive, but that was only my personal opinion. I would definitely suggest this book to a reader who is interested to deep dive into the genesis of one's own philosophy of life which is independent of the societal pressures and limitations.

A Life in the Making tells the story of Franz Michael Felder who was born into a middle-class family of farmers, in 1839 in Schoppernau, whose property was at any given time at least two-thirds in debt. Felder, who was nearly blind in one eye due to doctor malpractice, attended a two-class primary school and always had an interest in the written word. In 1861, he married Anna Katharina “Nanni” Moosbrugger from Au. She was, like Felder, well read and composed poetry and the two had five children together. Nanni died in 1868 and Felder died just a year later in 1869 at the age of 29. Franz Michal Felder is recognised as one of Vorarlberg’s first social reformers.

He endeavoured to change the difficult social and economic prospects that affected many people in the region from the ground up. In order to try to break the nearly unlimited economic power of the region’s cheese dealers, Felder founded the first agricultural cooperative. His activities met with heavy resistance, especially from the clergy. Franz Michael Felder was erudite and an avid writer. He subscribed to many newspapers including the socially critical “Gartenlaube,” for which he also wrote. His social criticism and societal utopian ideals were the topic of his novels, “Sonderlinge (Eccentrics)” and “Reich und Arm (Rich and Poor).”

He is recognised as one of the most legendary Vorarlbergers. His short, intense life exuded tremendous energy and was shaped by the will for changes in society, literature and politics. His name stands for courage and enlightenment, for utopia and resistance, for tradition and renewal. This memoir explores Felder's personal life and his multilayered work. However, in addition to the impressive and emotional life story, it also allows an authentically precise insight into the everyday life of the conservative, rural milieu in the Bregenzerwald. A Life in the Making was completed only a short time before his death and hailed as a masterpiece. A compelling, captivating and absorbing read about a much neglected historical figure who deserves to be remembered for his work regardless of if you accept his ideology. Highly recommended.