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kappafrog's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
The writing style really drew me in at first. It's very visceral. But I ended up just feeling nothing for the characters in this book. The relationship was a disaster from the beginning, and it was hard watching the MC just move passively through the world. The only bright spot was her relationship with her daughter. The way that Samsa gets biologically essentialized was kind of weird. Overall, beautiful writing but dull.
Graphic: Sexual content, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Infidelity, and Cursing
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Medical content, and Body horror
Minor: Vomit and Classism
savvylit's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
The most arresting thing about this vibe-heavy novel was Baltasar's gorgeous sentences. Take this for instance, "Maybe love is unfurling above us like an enormous branch that bends and touches all the most sensitive, reticent parts of us." Stunning. There were so many moments where I'd read a sentence like that one and then pause to just absorb its beauty. This is also a testament to Julia Sanchez's skill as a translator.
Beyond the sentence-level craft, Boulder is an emotional and reflective slice of life. Boulder and Samsa's relationship, though portrayed from only one side, was palpable and realistic. This novel often felt like a memoir - that's how immersive and believable it was.
Beyond the sentence-level craft, Boulder is an emotional and reflective slice of life. Boulder and Samsa's relationship, though portrayed from only one side, was palpable and realistic. This novel often felt like a memoir - that's how immersive and believable it was.
Graphic: Sexual content, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
jayisreading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.5
This was such an interesting dive into a queer woman's mind and negative feelings about children and motherhood. I feel that society still often expects women to have maternal instincts, and for the narrator to so blatantly push back against that is incredibly refreshing. In such a short book, Baltasar unravels her characters to reveal numerous flaws and vulnerabilities, as well as creating a well-crafted claustrophobic tension to reflect the feelings of the titular character (Boulder being a nickname).
I'm looking forward to reading Baltasar's other works, because Boulder scratched an itch for a good character study.
I'm looking forward to reading Baltasar's other works, because Boulder scratched an itch for a good character study.
Graphic: Infidelity, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
randisworld's review
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A quick read with excellent writing!
Minor: Abandonment and Toxic relationship
veelaughtland's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
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