Reviews

Permafrost by Eva Baltasar

Only show reviews with written explanations

evedowney27's review

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

bethanwx's review

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

This is such a beautifully written book, but the narrative feels a bit meandering for me. Baltasar hasn't yet mastered tying her poetic language and significant themes into a clear narrative. I much prefered Boulder.

Content Warnings

irmah's review

Go to review page

“I’ve realized that I know myself by heart - I know myself to the point of recognizing people who don’t exist and yet complement me. I know myself like a path that leads home, like a doorless corridor, like endless guardrails. I know myself like a decade-long involuntary commitment. To end and be done with it. I sense a change in my body - it is unsexed, majestic and magnificently afflicted, like a tower riddled with sorror. And I can feel the whole crush of humanity inside me, concentrated in a place that is absolutely personal.”

(I also really need somebody to see me the way the narrator sees Roxanne…..)

syd_of_squid's review

Go to review page

dark funny reflective 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

2.5

Such a speedy read, some beautiful writing, although reading translation is always difficult, especially when the style of writing is so poetic. Plot is very zeitgeisty - middle class gal dealing with mental health issues with dark humour. Not a lot of plot but some nice writing.

Content Warnings