Reviews

Permafrost by Eva Baltasar

catevanam's review against another edition

5.0

incredibly humorous and dark and seductive. i picked this book up and could barely tear myself away. absolutely loved it.

anni_reads_sometimes's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

dibookchronicles's review against another edition

dark sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

imari's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

micki138's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective tense 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

4.75

edzee_lcnm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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? Yes

3.5

 Circling back to this one having read and liked "Boulder," Eva Baltasar's 2nd novel in a "triptych which aims to explore the universes of three different women in the first person." If I can add to that descriptor, and now given the evidence of now having read this fiction debut "Permafrost" (Baltasar's day job prior to this debut novel was as a poet), I think it is likely going to be about three pretty (pretty!) messed up (aka "complicated") lesbians.

Ultimately, I preferred "Boulder" over this one as it's more of a character study of the nihilistic, suicidal unnamed protagonist, and lacks the strong narrative/plot. I generally don't have issues with this approach, but I needed just a wee bit more of a story to latch on to in this instance. That said, the writing (and translation from Julia Sanches) remains stellar and Baltasar certainly packs a punch and paints a big picture in few pages (both novels come in under 150 pages). And I have the same caveat with "Boulder," that if you are timid about lesbian sex scenes - proceed with caution! So while this is not my favorite Baltasar (out of a sample size of two!), I'm sure I will pick up the final book in this planned series, "Mammoth," due out later this year (August 2024).  3.5 stars. 

robotapartments's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No

4.5

zoelynnjarvis's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

3.75

angelicatheherb's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-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? Yes

3.5

lorikan64's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

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

3.75