Thanks to the publisher for my free review copy!

A book about a sapphic relationship *and* motherhood *and* in translation, it was pretty much a given that I’d love Boulder - and love it I did!

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Boulder is one of those translated novels that stops me in my tracks, in awe at the talent it takes to produce such a beautiful translation. Obviously Eva Baltasar’s original Catalan prose was stunning, but when you translate there are so many word choices that could make or break a sentence, so much nuance that could potentially be lost. But Julia Sanches is a master of her craft, and she’s brought Boulder to English-speaking readers in an exquisite manner. The sentences in this book will have you spiralling, just gorgeous.

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Writing aside, the content is fascinating as well. Boulder (a nickname, we never know her real name) is an enigmatic cook on a cargo ship who seems to be drifting through life - until she meets Samsa. Boulder reminds me of a magpie, she doesn’t seem to require much from her partners beyond shiny, happy prettiness. She lets Samsa’s life uproot her own, following her to Iceland and carving out a new life for herself there. But then Samsa decides she wants a baby, and despite Boulder having zero interest in motherhood, she acquiesces.

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I am a person with very strong feelings about my childlessness, so this book evoked extremely strong feelings in me. I was aghast at Boulder capitulating to Samsa’s wants - what good has ever come of not wanting a child but agreeing to have one anyway?? You know it’s gonna end in disaster but Baltasar has you in her grip by this point and you have to stay to watch the inevitable.

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Intense and poetic, couldn’t get enough of it - I was sad it was so short!