Reviews tagging 'Eating disorder'

Chlorine by Jade Song

111 reviews

nightlight_reader's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Incredible, horrifying, the living embodiment of “oh no” and “what the fuck” and “oh god”. Absolutely check your trigger warnings and then buckle up.

I learned so much about swimming culture in a way I wasn’t expecting and how that seems to cause almost a type of dysmorphia of what Ren’s body should be instead of what it was. The opening chapter hits so hard that it was hard to understand what all else was coming next and how it would be delivered to the reader, but this was incredible.

The only thing that kinda didn’t hit for me was Cathy’s portions, I guess? I can kinda see what they’re adding, but she wasn’t a character who I related to very much and so it was hard to sink into her perspective when Ren was just so much more interesting, but it’s a minor qualm at best. I wonder if I went back and read those sections now, knowing the end, if that would help contextualize them more?


This is the kind of writing that should be taught in schools, like it should be an option on reading course book lists for those with an iron stomach. It feels like a book that should be explored in a book club amongst safe friends to talk about all of the trauma Ren suffered and her escape from it.
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gia0203's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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

4.5

A frightening come of age story that uses the metaphor of transformation to show how one girl frees herself from societal expectations. She untangles herself from her expectant family, her brutal coach, entitled teenage boys, and her codependent best friend… and it all culminates in a devastating open ending.
Did Ren really become a mermaid? Or did she swim away, and eventually drown? I’m inclined to believe the latter, because this isn’t a hopeful story.
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rosagruen's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

5.0

The first novel I read in the „weird girl fiction genre“ & it did not disappoint. Jade Songs writing style draw me in with the first page & I loved it until the end.
I never experienced how it feels to grow up under the pressure of competitive sports but I imagine it pretty much how it was described in the book. 
I really resonated with how Ren is experiencing her obsession over mermaids since being a young girl & also the horror of growing up while constantly having your body judged & sexualized. 
The dynamic of the homoerotic friendship also seemed familiar & well written. 
Definitely check content warnings 
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amandinesophie's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

It often felt longer than it actually is. I sometimes had issues with the pace and the choice of certain words, which felt repetitive and disconnected me from the story.

Now, Jade Song can definitely write. And the last chapters especially were beautifully crafted. Even though predictable but it's not the point here. 
I was moved to tears at one point, and that's something that happens VERY rarely.

I've read and watched a lot of disturbing stuff in my lifetime but the
transcendence
scene made my stomach turn while simultaneously fascinating me because of its beauty, conveyed through Song's words. 
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m0ribund's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The story was screaming and beating me up, and I enjoyed every step of the process
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tutuna's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes

4.25

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bunky_jones's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

5.0

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vixenreader's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny tense fast-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

3.75

Despite how off-putting the main character can be, this book is a fascinating read about what it takes to truly follow your ambitions, and how toxic the communities harbouring your chances to reaching your goals can be. 
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jayceeam's review against another edition

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

1.0

Biggest waste of $20 and I want it out of my house immediately.
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libraryoflanelle's review against another edition

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3.25

Full review to come when I can but I just wanted to include a trigger warning for the use of a few ableist phrases in passing as follows: 

Chapter 2: ‘Spazzed in glee’
Chapter 6: ‘I was still a concussed invalid’ 
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