I enjoyed this book. Told in alternating POVs it’s an interesting look at life and our main character. I really enjoyed the roommates POV.

In an underwhelming and milquetoast read, Chrysalis by Anna Metcalfe follows a nameless woman’s journey into becoming a wellness influencer who physically isolates herself from others.

Coming into this book, I was hoping for a surreal, Cronenberg-esque metamorphosis based on the cover and phrases like “extreme” and “bizarre” in the blurb, but what I got instead was a dull book with no bite. The plot itself is threadbare and centers around dull descriptions of meals and a woman doing yoga.

Overall, there are so many books out there that tackle this book’s themes in a way that's compelling and isn’t afraid to go off the rails. For instance, if you are looking for a commentary on social media and obsession, I strongly recommend A Touch of Jen, or if it’s the alienation aspect from the plot summary that appeals to you, try My Year of Rest and Relaxation instead.

Anna Metcalfe’s debut “Chrysalis” is out today, and I recommend you go pick it up if you’re interested in the exploration of agency, selfhood, and the volatile nature of character dynamics.

Through the points of view of three unreliable narrators, we get to know an unnamed woman as she embarks on a personal journey of self-transformation. We never experience the woman’s point of view but instead rely on the interpretation of events by these three people who are connected solely by this woman.

It makes me wonder what’s more tangible: our self-image or how others perceive us. We have no control over the ladder, but I’m afraid our legacy is at the mercy of others. But as long as we learn to become self-sufficient and self-certain like the woman in this book, is there even a reason to care about one’s legacy? Then again, the woman only achieves this through amassing a loyal online following, so is she really as self-sufficient and self-certain as she leads on? Without her point of view, we can only guess.

Chrysalis is an entirely unique novel about an unnamed woman who transforms herself, physically and mentally, in the wake of an abusive relationship.

But at the same time, this book isn't really about the woman at all: Instead, it becomes about three people in her orbit, who are drawn to her and find a purpose in her presence. There's Elliot, who watches her transformation from the very beginning at the gym they both attend; her mother, Bella, who struggled to understand her daughter when she was young and can now only watch from a distance as she blossoms; and Susie, a coworker whose empty apartment and lonely existence are reinvigorated when the woman moves in with her. The book is told in three parts from their first-person points-of-view, as Anna Metcalfe explores themes of isolation and loneliness, reinvention, desperation and obsession, and the complex ramifications of trauma.

This is such an intriguing, thought-provoking read that made me think a lot about ideas surrounding independence, selfhood, and perception. It's fascinating to view this character only through the lens of others; each of the three sees something different in -- and get something different out of-- their relationships with her. For her part, the woman comes across as unfeeling and aloof, and there is something almost distasteful about her. Of course, we never learn who she really is -- just how she is perceived by others -- and I thought that was such an interesting (and successful) narrative choice by Anna Metcalfe.

Chrysalis isn't a book where a lot actually happens, but it nevertheless kept me riveted all the way through with its deeply psychological subject matter and strange, unsettling vibes. Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the advance reading opportunity.

When I read the description, “What happens when a woman dares to take up space?” I was sold and was so hooked I had to force myself to put it down when I needed to. In this novel we follow a young nameless woman and her transformation, as through the eyes of the three people closest to her: her mother, her best friend and a lover. Her transformation, only truly beginning after leaving an abusive relationship, is something stark and seemingly otherworldly. Early on, we’re given full details into how horrific and nefarious the abuse she had experienced with her male partner was and I think this was a good choice. The story’s themes necessitate focus on the woman and how she transforms herself after the trauma rather than being about the trauma itself. The woman first focuses on her physical body and bulking up considerably. This further enhances her mind by exerting so much physical control as a means to bring inner peace to it. It goes beyond body positivity and becomes body power as she gets stronger and stronger and literally starts to look too big for rooms. Then, she looks into meditation and enduring long periods of stillness that luckily she trained her body for and with meditation it was time to fully train her mind. And part of that too was then to isolate and cut off any connection to people and basically reject society. Metcalfe cleverly deals with themes of self-reliance and independence and how those can border selfishness and isolation. And being selfish and isolating oneself doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. I think it was in the show Friends, where Joey (the lovable himbo of the group) makes an observation that no action is selfless. Everything is done with the well being of yourself in mind. Maybe if we acknowledge that being selfish is normal and can be a good thing we can make better strides for ourselves and society. Not only that but isolation in the public mind is actually being treated differently. We don’t have to go back to primal or very nomadic ways but it’s okay for adults at a certain point to give or take how much they want to interact with society. For a debut, it’s throwing in some big concepts within its themes that I think is just incredible and they’re all reflected through the woman! I was just absolutely fascinated with her. While our narrators have a bias towards her, you never feel as though they are unreliable. What she means to each of them may seem subjective but the experiences and their transformations are real. They deify her and for good reason. There is so much to this book and honestly I cannot recommend it enough because currently this is the shortened version of a full review that I have that I am saving for something in the future *wink wink*.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read an ARC and give an honest review!

I almost marked this "Experimental," because it seemed so different than anything I'd read before; but I think rather than a new literary form or style it's that all the narrators in this story are, if not on the spectrum, loners of varying degrees of introspectiveness and self-awareness, so there is a superficial aspect that never goes away. It's kind of like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time but without an ending or resolution or humor. All the narrators are describing their relationship to the main character, a woman whose dramatic transformation is the overarching theme of the book.

First Elliot tells us how she drew his attention immediately at the gym, eventually inspiring him to get fit, become an active participant in the world outside his flat and the internet, and achieve a work-life balance; but the exact nature of their relationship is unclear, are they monogamous? Is the attraction mutual? Are they communicating? In the second section the protagonist's mother Bella describes her childhood, maternal guilt warts and all, but again so many questions; is she blaming a child for her failure as a mother, is she aware of how abnormal their home life was, or does she have no gauge because she didn't have proper parenting modeled for her either? The third and final narrator is co-worker Susie, a seemingly successful attorney, whose life is upended when the main character moves in with her after ending an allegedly abusive relationship. Everyone is so used by her, it seemed an incredible coincidence. But then maybe that's the whole point? Like that's how Trump or Hitler or the Kardashians happened too?

It makes sense to me that the author Anna Metcalfe was born in Germany. Even though Chyrsalis is about British people living in the UK, it has a sinister vibe that reminds me somehow of living in Berlin, a severity or harshness like a disdain for weakness, that pairs perfectly with this cautionary tale about obscure aesthetics going viral and causing havoc.

This book didn't present the same story that was teased in the jacket copy. The voices of the point-of-view characters weren't interesting to dive into.

Kind of a strange book, but in a way that I actually enjoy. It’s fascinating and confusing in one of my favorite ways, similarly to how Bunny made me feel. Dives into the lives of three people who orbit around this one woman as if she’s the only person they know that matters. It can feel unsettling and absolutely desperate, as you never read from the woman’s perspective herself, only the people who are borderline obsessed with her. It’s interesting, yet also kind of boring during the actual reading process. I feel like this is the kind of book people are going to slowly go through and will eventually become frustrated and bored at certain parts, but will have a lot to discuss later - a great bookclub read I think.

Thank you Anna Metcalfe, Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC e-book. What a brilliant debut novel from Metcalfe. A beautifully worded story of a woman who like the title changes and morphes into something that to her is more beautiful and stronger than what she once was. While society and others question her transformation and who it is she is actually becoming there are those who come to stand beside her. This novel takes on the question is change a good thing and who is society, or anyone else for that matter, to tell us what we can and cannot do. An amazing and inspiring story and still a bit heartbreaking. I cannot wait to see what the author will write next.

Chrysalis is about one woman’s transformation and the people that orbit her.

This story is about a nameless but enigmatic woman, told from the perspectives of three people. First, Elliot. He obsesses over her and watches her strengthen her body after she reveals she suffered trauma. Second, her mother, Bella. She felt helpless raising her, and now she observes as her daughter’s lifestyle impacts strangers’ lives. And third, Susie, her coworker, whose life felt empty until she moved into her apartment.

They all watch as she strengthens her body and mind and begins to post viral videos that advocate for her viewers to take drastic measures to acquire true self-sufficiency.

When I first read the blurb, it reminded me of The Vegetarian: the outside POVs and a woman who doesn’t conform to society. After reading it, I’d say that’s where the similarities end. This is a wholly unique story.

It’s about the different forms of isolation and the effects that come from it, including loneliness, solitude and sometimes, independence.

It was interesting to watch these people latch onto this woman and her own seemingly unfeeling attitude toward them. Each narrator has their own idealized view of who she is, and they can’t compute when she doesn’t fit in that box.

This is a strange book that will keep you thinking about it long after you’ve finished reading it.

I will definitely read whatever Anna Metcalfe comes out with next.

Thank you to Random House for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

https://booksandwheels.com

. The story is told in three sections with the different pov of that character. The woman never provides her pov and is instead showed entirely through their lens. Deeply unsettling and alluring. I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a different way of telling a story.

What a story where do I even begin? Was she a villain or a victim? Was she the anti hero? Was this real or was she having a breakdown. Was she all of us or frighten? This groundbreaking Novel told about a women. Whose name we don't know. Or at least I don't remember. Her choices her life and what she becomes

Thank you to Random House, NetGalley and the author for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wow. First, let’s have a round of applause for that stunning cover. Moving on, I found this book fretfully intriguing. I didn’t want to put it down! It follows a young woman as she reinvents herself, both physically and mentally, after a traumatic experience. This in and of itself is not a new concept; however, what makes this novel unique is the voyeuristic way in which the story is unfolded. Our unnamed central character is unveiled through the eyes of three people who have known her in some intimate capacity: as a lover, as a mother, and as a friend. Through the culmination of their perspectives, we are free to draw our own conclusions regarding her identity. It felt wrong and yet so right.

There are so many thought-provoking themes woven throughout. How reliable are our narrators? What if your life story was told through someone else’s words? How accurate would the account(s) be? In a society that expects women to shrink to be more palatable, how does it respond when a woman opts to take up space unapologetically? When does infatuation or desire turn into obsession? Are we entitled to have unfettered access to someone we feel bonded to? What distinguishes self-confidence from narcissism? Can a woman only maintain her autonomy if she isolates herself from any genuine connection with others? Is social isolation a form of wellness or self-care? If so, to what extent? As a social media influencer, do you have a moral responsibility or obligation to your followers? I could go on but it is impressive that this book is not even 300 pages, yet so much can be gleaned from within the slim page count. That speaks to the talent of the author and the editors.

As soon as this book is published, it is going on my shelf. I encourage all fans of literary fiction to get their hands on this oddly fascinating read.

3.5 but I rounded up because even though I'm not sure I understood the point of the book, I was fascinated by the story. Note: I had advance access to this through NetGalley in exchange for the honest review that follows.

Perhaps because I expected some supernatural twist at the end, this book felt like a thriller to me. What was the real explanation for the main character's behavior? What was she building toward through the arc of the book? I raced through it. I attribute this to Metcalfe's skill. She's trimmed all the fat from the story, pared it down to three characters. Elliot, Bella and Susie--admirer, mother, friend--each interact with the unnamed (right? I can't find a name) protagonist, their largely separate accounts of spending time with her overlapping at a few points like a Venn diagram.

Each detail felt like a puzzle piece.

"'I don't want you to find me attractive.' She was speaking very slowly, as thought addressing a small child. 'I'm here because I want to be strong.'"

"It seemed to me that she was, quite literally, trying to outgrow her old life."

"She was investing in herself, now. She couldn't be wasting her talents on others."

"She didn't appear to understand what other people expected of her, but I was wrong about that: she didn't care."

"She has a power over the people who find her; once you've known her, it's hard to go back to a time before."

In the end, the intrigue didn't add up to a jaw-dropping reveal. But I don't feel cheated. The book did, as its description says, provide an answer to the question "is [it] possible for a woman to have agency over her body while remaining part of society." It isn't the only answer, but it's certainly a provocative one.

Thanks to Random House and Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I can see what the author was trying to do: a woman transforms herself completely after escaping an abusive relationship and overcoming trauma from her childhood through excessive exercise, extreme eating habits, and becoming a lifestyle/wellness guru.

However, I just felt so BORED and also so confused all at the same time.

Chrysalis is split into three parts from the POV of three narrators who all have a connection with the unnamed subject of the book. You get their perspective of this strange woman as she transforms from meek, frightened, and traumatized, to LITERALLY strong, glowing, and I think maybe still traumatized.

Not much happens. I didn’t feel compelled to finish except to write this review. This debut wasn’t for me, but maybe it will be for you. It feels like Convenience Store Woman with the themes of not fitting into societal norms and overcoming your hard experiences but it wasn’t as enjoyable to read. For how short it was it felt like it went on forever.

This was one of my favorite books I have read all year. I think fans of Otessa Moshfegh will enjoy Chrysalis. The themes of the book that were clearest to me were isolation in today's society, wellness influencers being out of touch with their followers, and the ability to change your appearance. I think the structure of the novel being told through three intersecting narrators also is a selling point and something that drew me in. This story is a little haunting and I will think about it for a long time. I am also reading "Biography of X" by Catherine Lacey right now and the idea of talking to multiple people to craft the story of one individual rings true for both.

A challenge to read and, I think, to enjoy but worthwhile nonetheless. Metcalfe tells the story of an unnamed influencer who has gone through changes both physical and otherwise through the eyes of three other people. Bella is her mother- she offers a view of the influencer's childhood. Susie is her friend, who has seen her through relationships. Elliot was her romantic interest and sort of stalker. Her fitness videos are set in the rural area where she lives alone and celebrates her solitary life. It's an unusual construction where things are revealed slowly. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of literary fiction.

Special thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Chrysalis is an interesting read… if you can get passed the first story. It’s relevant to the story but it’s also incredibly boring and doesn’t seem relevant until near the end of the second story.

The first story is told from Elliot’s perspective as he sees her for the first time and witnesses her body become bigger and stronger. They have an odd relationship that is completely transactional. The second story was my favorite and it really set the pace for the story. Bella is not a perfect mother but she is better than her daughter makes her out to be. And finally we end with Susie who is her coworker that is entirely taken advantage of by her in the end stages of her transformation.

We never get clear answers on the disappearances which was a bummer to me because it was hinted at during the second story and ultimately is what made me have a renewed interest in reading. We also never hear from our lead directly… another let down after seeing how she becomes at the end.

*2.5 rounded up for Goodreads scoring*

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for my arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I am so on the fence about this one. I finished a while ago and am still unsure about how I feel about this one. We learn about one extraordinary woman's changes through the perspectives of three people who watch her and are bordering on obsessed with her. We follow her before, during, and after her transformative moments. I had a lot of difficulty with this book keeping my attention. I struggled with the fact that we're supposed to have three different perspectives, one from a man and two from women, but you'd never know they were different perspectives without the novel letting you know. The perspectives had just enough similarities between them in terms of character's voice, that the perspectives were almost indistinguishable. That probably contributed to the sluggish feeling I had while reading.

I was really excited for this one because the premise sounds interesting especially within the context of social media and influencers, but it all just fell so flat for me. I didn't care for our nameless extraordinary woman and I couldn't care less for the perspectives of these strangers. I don't even think I finished this book. I think I DNF'd at like 60-70%.

Chrysalis is about an unnamed, enigmatic woman who experiences a transformation in body and mind. Told from three perspectives that circle this woman, all of whom are enamored with her in different ways, Anna Metcalfe posits questions about agency and loneliness. I enjoyed Metcalfe's prose and exploration of what triggers a transformation in the first place. Elliot, Bella, and Susie, the three narrators from which we build our image of the woman, seek specific relationships with this woman who only seeks to be fully her own. The presence of social media/influencer culture subverts the question of who is to blame for any individual's decisions and actions in life.

Ultimately, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Chrysalis and want to read more of Anna Metcalfe's work. For fans of The Vegetarian by Han Kang and Supper Club by Lara Williams, I think Metcalfe joins an ongoing and necessary conversation about the surprisingly subversive act of women taking up space - and what drives them to reach a point of indifference towards the world which wants them to only be small.