Part love story, part reckoning — Boulder dares to challenge how we think about women, connection, and independence.
First Impressions
I had seen Boulder appear on several lists, but it was Jack Edwards’ passion that made me commit to adding it to my TBR and Women in Translation months seemed like the perfect time to finally pick it up and read it. I didn’t know what to expect as by the time I picked it up to read my memory of any blurb and discussion from Edwards had vanished, and I went in blind. It provides a very unique reading experience when you have no idea as to the narrative at all.
Writing Style and Atmosphere
Eva Baltasar’s prose is beautifully lyrical and almost echoes the oceanic theme that ties the prose together. As ‘Boulder’ narrates, she has two main drives her love and freedom of working and living on the ocean, the simplicity of her experiences, life and emotions – calm and reflective. And then this deep and intense lust she feels for female connection and touch – a rumination of stormy seas and surges of emotions. The tonality of the voice is impacted depending on whether Boulder is lustful or wistful – lustful for sex and connection, but wistful for independence and simplicity. Baltasar balances this beautifully.
Translated by Julia Sanches, I can only assume she has captured Baltasar’s prose perfectly, due to the maintenance of iconography and the consistency of themes. This is incredibly difficult to do when the original prose is so unique and lyrical.
Themes That Hit Hard
‘I have no future now, and no present either, outside of the foolish repetition of all the innocent chores that crop up day after day.’
Boulder is culturally significant regarding the issues that it raises, especially concerning the expectation of women in society. The presumption that every woman should want to be a mother and will regret not experiencing motherhood is significantly explored. The desire to have relationships without commitment and maintaining a level of independence that would result in being alone, something often attributed to men more so than women. ‘Boulder’ is the apotome of an independent, sexual woman, which is in some ways very empowering.
Where I Struggled
‘It takes three months to exhaust all interest in a body…without stopping to wonder if there might be a real person inside.’
However, I did struggle with the level of sexualisation of women, which for me did boarder on objectification, which felt as though it contrasted with the other societal discussions the book was attempting. I had to sit with this aspect of the novel a bit longer after the book ended before I could truly and critically review and rate Boulder. I needed to consider what Baltasar was attempting and whether I felt that my reading of it vs Baltasar’s meaning of it, were different based on my own bias. I decided on empowerment rather than objectification.
Yet, I also feel that this need for reflection is also something that I love about the novel. If it makes me think, if it challenges me, if it requires me to be more open minded, than it’s a pretty solid and easily recommended read.
Playlist Companion (skip to avoid arc spoilers)
Whilst reading and reflecting on Boulder, I began to think about how many of the themes are shared between the narrative any many of LP’s (Laura Pergolizzi) music, and I was inspired to come up with a playlist that reflected the reader’s journey through Boulder.
Passion / Beginning
LP – Lost on You
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Yearning, obsession, and the bittersweet sense of wanting someone deeply.
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Emeline – Flowers & Sex
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Playful but intense sexual energy; fits Boulder’s fixation on bodies.
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LP – When We’re High
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Euphoric lust and escapism in the early days of their relationship.
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Minnie – Blind Eyes Red
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Seductive and slightly dangerous, signalling the point where attraction deepens into something more tangled.
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Tension / Disconnect
Lauren Ruth Ward – Make Love to Myself
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Physical isolation within the relationship; intimacy turning inward.
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Halsey – Sorry
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Regret and awareness of emotional absence.
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Lauren Ruth Ward – Did I Offend You
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Confrontation and friction, representing escalating tension.
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Realisation / Decision
LP – Muddy Waters
Heavy, introspective mood capturing the weight of knowing it’s over; feels like an emotional reckoning.
Emeline – Everything I’m Not
An empowered breakaway track, claiming self-worth and signalling the turning point toward leaving
Moving On / Recovery
LP – Recovery
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Healing and moving forward after heartbreak.
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Selena Gomez – Lose You to Love Me
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A final emotional purge and self-reclamation.
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Representation & Inclusivity Check
This is a new section where I explore whether I feel a book is a safe and inclusive read. Here, I’ll discuss triggers, representation and inclusivity and other elements I feel would determine the ‘safety’ of a read.
In short, Boulder is a sapphic literary fiction that is set in different places and with people of different nationalities, and in this sense, it is beautifully representative and inclusive. Where I feel there may be some level of advisory required is the borderline sexualisation and objectification of women, as well as there being some explicit language and scenes of a sexual nature.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the ambiguity over the way women are portrayed by ‘Boulder’ I rate this as a solid 4-star read and for those who love a lyrical narrative that challenges you, where important present-day societal discussions are presented, then this book is for you.
Title: Boulder
Author: Eva Baltasar
Translator: Julia Sanches
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publisher: And Other Stories
Edition Publication Date: 2022