Reviews

Bolla by Pajtim Statovci

gbatts's review against another edition

5.0

Pajtim Statovci is a master at compassionate portrayals of thoroughly unlikeable characters (note: I don’t condone Arsim’s actions, but Statovci shows where they are coming from). Though he is perhaps the only writers that I have read from a European formerly socialist state that does not mention salami in his writing.

This is my third Statovci novel and my favourite. I love novels based on folklore. This novel is named after an Albanian legend, and the Arsim/Miloš romance is explicitly inspired by this legend. The Arsim/Ajshe relationship is based on a Melusina-type fable. Both relationships were beautifully and movingly drawn and were equally as interesting.

bunzl's review

dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

daladala's review against another edition

5.0

Jes, pitkästä aikaa tulin lukeneeksi täyden viiden tähden Finlandia-voittajan! Ristiriitaiset päähenkilöt, joista en vielä kirjan loputtuakaan tiedä mitä mieltä pitäisi olla, mennessään vievät lyyriset lauseet ja jatkuvasti yllä pysyvä mystisyyden viitta. Suosittelen.

ronbert's review against another edition

emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

rora_chan's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

freddie's review

5.0

Unlikeable character whom you want to root for - what's not to like? But I guess that writing also highlights spectacularly how messy - and nuanced - things are when it comes to certain queer experience.

ana_julia's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

easytocrash's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

james1star's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I have thoughts but I don’t know what them thoughts are… it had lots of good parts but also a fare few bad bits too so Yhh. I think I’ll give this a reread and then update this review. Probs a 4 star but things can change. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Xenophobia, and War

Minor: Child abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

bookishnanna's review against another edition

5.0

I read this book a month ago, and it’s still something I think about every day. This book is so well written, the plot is *chef’s kiss* and the historical context made it very realistic.

When I think about our main guys my heart breaks. Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night and think about how so many feelings can fit into such a short book. I have a really hard time feeling empathy for fictional characters, but this book made me feel it all.

I wish this book came with a pack of tissues.