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erinlcrane's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the concept of this and would love to read more books with the same structure. This story gives us 3 different people’s POV all focused on a fourth character we never get a POV from. I expected the POVs to have less direct interaction with the young woman at the center, but it worked, it was great.
I’m left not sure what to feel about the woman. Sometimes I felt bad for her and other times I felt so frustrated with how she treated others in her life. It’s a fascinating character study. I actually would have enjoyed more because the story leaves off with her in such an odd place.
There’s more about the characters with POVs than I expected as well. They are more fleshed out than I expected, which worked for me most of the time. They all felt distinct and mostly compelling. I think Susie was the weakest for me.
The story explores how we try to connect with others, how we can’t fully understand, how everyone is going through things that are hard to see on the outside. Each POV has different needs and anxieties in relation to the woman, but they all want to connect with her and they don’t know how. They’re all afraid of doing too much or too little and pushing her away.
Really fascinating and insightful!
I’m left not sure what to feel about the woman. Sometimes I felt bad for her and other times I felt so frustrated with how she treated others in her life. It’s a fascinating character study. I actually would have enjoyed more because the story leaves off with her in such an odd place.
There’s more about the characters with POVs than I expected as well. They are more fleshed out than I expected, which worked for me most of the time. They all felt distinct and mostly compelling. I think Susie was the weakest for me.
The story explores how we try to connect with others, how we can’t fully understand, how everyone is going through things that are hard to see on the outside. Each POV has different needs and anxieties in relation to the woman, but they all want to connect with her and they don’t know how. They’re all afraid of doing too much or too little and pushing her away.
Really fascinating and insightful!
skirkwood's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
alicebrwne's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
linamadridista7's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
caliajane's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
putri_the_awesome's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Interesting story of metamorphosis. Looking back at her past history and childhood, I think I can see why she did what she did. I just need to digest it a bit longer to be able to understand the main character.
kimchifairy's review
Contemplative, sensual, full of genuinely original reflections on perception and being perceived. Superb.
hannahham08's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
agob187's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for this advanced copy of Chrysalis in exchange for an honest review.
This novel is about a woman who starts going to the gym at a turning point in her life. It's told from three perspectives, a man she meets at the gym, her mother, and her coworker. Through these perspectives we gain knowledge about this mysterious woman from their points of view only.
The themes of working out, the relationships, and the general format of this story make it all very unique. It’s hard to put down as we’re gradually given the details of the main characters background.
Personally, I found the format extremely refreshing to read, I loved the writing style, the imperfect characters, and the vocabulary the author uses. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy the gym (simply, for that subject matter) and/or people who are looking for something different!
Pub date: April 11th 2023
This novel is about a woman who starts going to the gym at a turning point in her life. It's told from three perspectives, a man she meets at the gym, her mother, and her coworker. Through these perspectives we gain knowledge about this mysterious woman from their points of view only.
The themes of working out, the relationships, and the general format of this story make it all very unique. It’s hard to put down as we’re gradually given the details of the main characters background.
Personally, I found the format extremely refreshing to read, I loved the writing style, the imperfect characters, and the vocabulary the author uses. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy the gym (simply, for that subject matter) and/or people who are looking for something different!
Pub date: April 11th 2023
martareader's review against another edition
4.0
is this what people talk about when they claim to live "a quiet life"?