Chlorine A Novel
Chlorine, a novel by Jade Song, is published by HarperCollinsPublishers in 2023 and spans 237 pages. This debut work intertwines elements of literary fiction and dark fantasy, exploring the complexities of growing up in a society that imposes significant pressures on young women and their bodies. The narrative follows Ren Yu, a dedicated swimmer whose life revolves around the pool, her teammates, and her coach. As she strives for success and acceptance, Ren grapples with her longing for a deeper connection to the water and the mythical creatures that inhabit it.
Readers will find a story that delves into themes of immigration, sapphic longing, and the fierce journey of self-discovery. Ren’s aspirations extend beyond mere athletic achievement; she yearns to transcend her human limitations and embrace her identity, even if it means confronting dark and unsettling truths. The novel presents a vivid exploration of the intersection between personal ambition and the haunting allure of the unknown, inviting readers to reflect on the sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom and authenticity.
Official synopsis Publisher
In the vein of The Pisces and The Vegetarian, Chlorine is a debut novel that blurs the line between a literary coming-of-age narrative and a dark unsettling horror tale, told from an adult perspective on the trials and tribulations of growing up in a society that puts pressure on young women and their bodies… a powerful, relevant novel of immigration, sapphic longing, and fierce, defiant becoming.
Ren Yu is a swimmer. Her daily life starts and ends with the pool. Her teammates are her only friends. Her coach is her guiding light. If she swims well enough, she will be scouted, get a scholarship, go to a good school. Her parents will love her. Her coach will be kind to her. She will have a good life.
But these are human concerns. These are the concerns of those confined to land, those with legs. Ren grew up on stories of creatures of the deep, of the oceans and the rivers. Creatures that called sailors to their doom. That dragged them down and drowned them. That feasted on their flesh. The creature that she’s always longed to become: the mermaid.
Ren aches to be in the water. She dreams of the scent of chlorine, the feel of it on her skin. And she will do anything she can to make a life for herself where she can be free. No matter the pain. No matter what anyone else thinks. No matter how much blood she has to spill.
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