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viv_vs_the_pages's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
To start off, I wanted to like this book. I was looking forward to it. I enjoy bizarre magical surrealism. The flaw in this novel doesn’t lie in its grotesque body horror or unhinged character. It’s important to note that our unreliable narrator can flip pros to cons and vice versa… but this is how the story’s aspects came across in my reading experience which was more-so negative. However, due to the intriguing concept and despite the poor execution, I am looking forward to the author’s growth and next work.
Pros:
- The one body horror scene was written effectively. The detached methodical way the main character went about her actions allowed for the imagery to live in the reader’s mind and the character’s detachment from such mutilation made her derangement all the more convincing.
- I love just reading about people going unhinged in downward spirals that make sense. Add the brain injury element and you have a believable catalyst that doesn’t feel like a cop out explanation when you properly pace the spiral of insanity and delusion.
- Cathy was almost not a 2D supporting character and love interest.
That being said.
Cons:
- The lack of utilization of the plot felt like a missed opportunity to build more tension in and dread.
- I could not stand the writing or the main character’s internal monologue. I liked her thought processes, but not the prose nor metaphors that expressed them. There’re many passages here that felt like you couldn’t believe an editor allowed them to go to print.
- While the racism is only spoon-fed some of the time, the misogyny is practically calling out the reader as stupid (once again, could this be the cynicism in our unreliable narrator??). This book ALMOST reaches nuance so many times.
- I wanted more of a weave between prejudice and mental health. This was a lose braid.
- There were some effective visceral lines in the anecdotes of a young woman’s experience with misogyny and the dreaded awkwardness of the pubescent body, but the rest felt like a conservative’s caricature of an SJW.
- Once again, could be the unreliable narrator, but all the characters felt 2-dimensional.
- The romance started promising but didn’t end up being convincing (could also be due to the main character’s progressive detachment from reality)
- I would’ve preferred the story to be told in present tense and for the author to be able to craft a narrative with the narrator’s downward spiral having more gravity and acceleration. This hindsight/recall (I don’t know the proper term) story-telling doesn’t build the tension the author wants it to.
Pros:
- The one body horror scene was written effectively. The detached methodical way the main character went about her actions allowed for the imagery to live in the reader’s mind and the character’s detachment from such mutilation made her derangement all the more convincing.
- I love just reading about people going unhinged in downward spirals that make sense. Add the brain injury element and you have a believable catalyst that doesn’t feel like a cop out explanation when you properly pace the spiral of insanity and delusion.
- Cathy was almost not a 2D supporting character and love interest.
That being said.
Cons:
- The lack of utilization of the plot felt like a missed opportunity to build more tension in and dread.
- I could not stand the writing or the main character’s internal monologue. I liked her thought processes, but not the prose nor metaphors that expressed them. There’re many passages here that felt like you couldn’t believe an editor allowed them to go to print.
- While the racism is only spoon-fed some of the time, the misogyny is practically calling out the reader as stupid (once again, could this be the cynicism in our unreliable narrator??). This book ALMOST reaches nuance so many times.
- I wanted more of a weave between prejudice and mental health. This was a lose braid.
- There were some effective visceral lines in the anecdotes of a young woman’s experience with misogyny and the dreaded awkwardness of the pubescent body, but the rest felt like a conservative’s caricature of an SJW.
- Once again, could be the unreliable narrator, but all the characters felt 2-dimensional.
- The romance started promising but didn’t end up being convincing (could also be due to the main character’s progressive detachment from reality)
- I would’ve preferred the story to be told in present tense and for the author to be able to craft a narrative with the narrator’s downward spiral having more gravity and acceleration. This hindsight/recall (I don’t know the proper term) story-telling doesn’t build the tension the author wants it to.
bellavictoria's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
northerngypsyblog's review against another edition
dark
slow-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
3.0
taayreading's review against another edition
started reading something else, just wasn’t really for me
gotabookforeverysituation's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
drewcy5a's review against another edition
I liked this and I want to finish it soon!!
kelnicash's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
4.0
I saw this book recommended for fans of Melissa Broder, and I was not disappointed! Exactly the same brand of magical realism, gritty real life, and what I consider “low key” body horror.
Chlorine is a coming of age story, and Ren’s story of never feeling like she belongs is relatable. How she achieves “belonging” is unrelatable, but that’s where the magical realism comes in. There is also a sapphic love story being woven throughout the book, and it’s bittersweet.
Definitely loved and would recommend! It was a quick read for me, just under 3 hours total.
Chlorine is a coming of age story, and Ren’s story of never feeling like she belongs is relatable. How she achieves “belonging” is unrelatable, but that’s where the magical realism comes in. There is also a sapphic love story being woven throughout the book, and it’s bittersweet.
Definitely loved and would recommend! It was a quick read for me, just under 3 hours total.
shmule's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
shaina_hughes's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
morganlaurie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0