What do you think?
Rate this book
Under Story
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26The New York Times bestselling author of The Immortalists returns with an intimate yet epic love story—and a sweeping odyssey of scientific discovery. Under Story invites us to consider the promise of this life, what might lie beyond it, and how far we would go for more time with the people we love, cementing Chloe Benjamin’s place among our best, and most lasting, storytellers.
“We wake up to tomorrow, never yesterday.”
At the end of the world, biologist Laurel Salter is hiding from everything she’s ever known. For ten hours a day, six days per week, she works as a dishwasher at McMurdo Station, an isolated research base in Antarctica. She tells no one that before she arrived, she was a renowned young scientist with a promising career, a husband, and a family.
But even in this remote outpost, Laurel can’t outrun her past. When a strange light appears across the ice—and draws a group of physicists to McMurdo—her former husband, Eli, won't be far behind.
Laurel is captivated by the Arc: its surreal glow; the way it seems almost alive. And though Eli is reluctant to test her wildest theory, Laurel is convinced that the Arc leads down a rabbit hole, and into a world, they can barely imagine. Can she persuade him to risk everything to fix the burden that hangs between them—to turn back the clock and live their story a second time?
A breathless page-turner and a love letter to our planet, Under Story grapples with the great questions of our time: human hubris, the precarity of the natural world, and the mysterious webs of consciousness that bind us. A modern epic of science and soul, of bravery and redemption, it offers a vision of the future that demands we reckon with what we owe to one another, and to the earth itself.
“We wake up to tomorrow, never yesterday.”
At the end of the world, biologist Laurel Salter is hiding from everything she’s ever known. For ten hours a day, six days per week, she works as a dishwasher at McMurdo Station, an isolated research base in Antarctica. She tells no one that before she arrived, she was a renowned young scientist with a promising career, a husband, and a family.
But even in this remote outpost, Laurel can’t outrun her past. When a strange light appears across the ice—and draws a group of physicists to McMurdo—her former husband, Eli, won't be far behind.
Laurel is captivated by the Arc: its surreal glow; the way it seems almost alive. And though Eli is reluctant to test her wildest theory, Laurel is convinced that the Arc leads down a rabbit hole, and into a world, they can barely imagine. Can she persuade him to risk everything to fix the burden that hangs between them—to turn back the clock and live their story a second time?
A breathless page-turner and a love letter to our planet, Under Story grapples with the great questions of our time: human hubris, the precarity of the natural world, and the mysterious webs of consciousness that bind us. A modern epic of science and soul, of bravery and redemption, it offers a vision of the future that demands we reckon with what we owe to one another, and to the earth itself.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 15, 2026
28 people are currently reading
2774 people want to read
About the author
Chloe Benjamin
4 books2,659 followersChloe Benjamin is the author of THE IMMORTALISTS, a New York Times Bestseller, and THE ANATOMY OF DREAMS. Her third novel, UNDER STORY, will be published in September 2026.
A Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection, LibraryReads favorite, and #1 Indie Next pick, THE IMMORTALISTS was named a best book of 2018 by NPR, The Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, and others. THE ANATOMY OF DREAMS received the Edna Ferber Fiction Book Award and was long listed for the 2014 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.
Originally from San Francisco, CA, Benjamin is a graduate of Vassar College and the M.F.A. in fiction at the University of Wisconsin. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages. She lives with her husband and two Maine Coon cats in the San Francisco Bay Area.
A Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection, LibraryReads favorite, and #1 Indie Next pick, THE IMMORTALISTS was named a best book of 2018 by NPR, The Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, and others. THE ANATOMY OF DREAMS received the Edna Ferber Fiction Book Award and was long listed for the 2014 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.
Originally from San Francisco, CA, Benjamin is a graduate of Vassar College and the M.F.A. in fiction at the University of Wisconsin. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages. She lives with her husband and two Maine Coon cats in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Read
February 3, 2026A mind-bending, head-popping sci-fi love story full of intrigue and tenderness.
January 23, 2026
I read Chloe Benjamin’s new book in a fever dream 24 hours where I simply could not put it down - this is a book that somehow manages to tackle big ideas - love, grief, rupture, the origin of life, time itself - in a vividly human story of two people who find themselves at the end of the earth, the end of so many things, and yet - on the cusp of discovery.
This book felt new, bold, and astonishing. It’s not so much a journey as a constant revelation.
The only question I’m left with as a reader is: Where will Chloe Benjamin take us next?
I, for one, can’t wait to find out.
This book felt new, bold, and astonishing. It’s not so much a journey as a constant revelation.
The only question I’m left with as a reader is: Where will Chloe Benjamin take us next?
I, for one, can’t wait to find out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️ ARC Review from Netgalley
This book had a really intriguing premise, and there were a few moments I genuinely enjoyed, but overall the execution didn’t work for me.
The first 40% was weighed down by excessive backstory and unnecessary detail, which made the book drag. Some descriptions went far beyond what was needed which pulled me out of the story.
The worldbuilding raised more questions than it answered. Key concepts necessary for the story to make sense were either poorly explained or not explained at all. The rules of the world essentially didn't exist.
Late in the book, the timeline starts jumping back and forth between years, which only added to the confusion and was not necessary. It could have been told in order and it wouldn't have changed anything. It seemed like there were 15 different storylines happening at once, and half the time I didn't know which one I was as on.
If this hadn’t been an ARC, I likely would have DNF’d. There are good ideas here, and the premise itself is genuinely cool, but too much was either unexplained or poorly explained. It also couldve been easily half the length. For me, the confusion outweighed the intrigue.
This book had a really intriguing premise, and there were a few moments I genuinely enjoyed, but overall the execution didn’t work for me.
The first 40% was weighed down by excessive backstory and unnecessary detail, which made the book drag. Some descriptions went far beyond what was needed which pulled me out of the story.
The worldbuilding raised more questions than it answered. Key concepts necessary for the story to make sense were either poorly explained or not explained at all. The rules of the world essentially didn't exist.
Late in the book, the timeline starts jumping back and forth between years, which only added to the confusion and was not necessary. It could have been told in order and it wouldn't have changed anything. It seemed like there were 15 different storylines happening at once, and half the time I didn't know which one I was as on.
If this hadn’t been an ARC, I likely would have DNF’d. There are good ideas here, and the premise itself is genuinely cool, but too much was either unexplained or poorly explained. It also couldve been easily half the length. For me, the confusion outweighed the intrigue.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is an incredibly ambitious book, unlike anything I've read before, that feels both intimate and cosmic. Under Story covers Antarctica, mycology and quantum physics, but also aging, love, memory, forgiveness and the ways our lives echo across time and space. It's heartbreaking, mind-bending and left me wanting to travel to McCurdo Station and across the duoverse. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a book as much as this one, or the last time I stayed up until 2am reading because I couldn't put it down.
Highly recommend for fans of Nathan Hill's Wellness, Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone's This Is How You Lose the Time War and the A24 film Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for this eARC
Highly recommend for fans of Nathan Hill's Wellness, Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone's This Is How You Lose the Time War and the A24 film Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for this eARC
February 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Under Story by Chloe Benjamin
This was my first novel by Chloe Benjamin, and it won’t be my last. Under Story is an ambitious, layered work that weaves together climate science, family legacy and the quiet awe of the natural world.
Much of the novel centres on the research station in Antarctica, where scientists are studying fragile ecosystems at the edge of collapse. The depictions of fieldwork, ecological monitoring and the day-to-day realities of life at a remote research base feel authentic and immersive. As a biologist, I particularly valued the careful, well-embedded references to flora and fauna, evolutionary adaptation and environmental fragility. The science never feels superficial, it is integral to the emotional and thematic core of the story.
Running alongside the Antarctic research is the mystery of the “Arc” a strange, almost mythic phenomenon that hovers between scientific discovery and existential question. The characters are complex and quietly compelling, particularly those working on the research station, whose professional dedication sits in contrast to their personal uncertainties. The isolation of Antarctica sharpens their relationships and exposes their vulnerabilities, giving the novel both intellectual heft and emotional resonance.
The pacing is deliberate, but the atmosphere with stark landscapes, scientific inquiry and the slow unravelling of the Arc’s significance kept me fully engaged. It’s a novel that invites reflection rather than racing toward resolution.
A thoughtful, beautifully constructed exploration of science, climate and human connection. A very strong four-star read.
This was my first novel by Chloe Benjamin, and it won’t be my last. Under Story is an ambitious, layered work that weaves together climate science, family legacy and the quiet awe of the natural world.
Much of the novel centres on the research station in Antarctica, where scientists are studying fragile ecosystems at the edge of collapse. The depictions of fieldwork, ecological monitoring and the day-to-day realities of life at a remote research base feel authentic and immersive. As a biologist, I particularly valued the careful, well-embedded references to flora and fauna, evolutionary adaptation and environmental fragility. The science never feels superficial, it is integral to the emotional and thematic core of the story.
Running alongside the Antarctic research is the mystery of the “Arc” a strange, almost mythic phenomenon that hovers between scientific discovery and existential question. The characters are complex and quietly compelling, particularly those working on the research station, whose professional dedication sits in contrast to their personal uncertainties. The isolation of Antarctica sharpens their relationships and exposes their vulnerabilities, giving the novel both intellectual heft and emotional resonance.
The pacing is deliberate, but the atmosphere with stark landscapes, scientific inquiry and the slow unravelling of the Arc’s significance kept me fully engaged. It’s a novel that invites reflection rather than racing toward resolution.
A thoughtful, beautifully constructed exploration of science, climate and human connection. A very strong four-star read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What seems like a love story gone wrong, destroyed by the 'what ifs' of grief, flips and becomes an extremely complex science fiction novel, packing in more than I ever needed or wanted to know about the biology of fungi, and the physics of neutrinos!
At times the story of Laurel, and her sometimes-husband Eli becomes a little complex, and I am trusting the accuracy of the author in her references and timelines, but that is what is needed to create a world so different from our own, but with enough similarities to stimulate our imagination to other universes where the rules we are bound by are polar opposites.
I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of life on the Antarctica base.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you to Headline Books and Tinder Press. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
At times the story of Laurel, and her sometimes-husband Eli becomes a little complex, and I am trusting the accuracy of the author in her references and timelines, but that is what is needed to create a world so different from our own, but with enough similarities to stimulate our imagination to other universes where the rules we are bound by are polar opposites.
I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of life on the Antarctica base.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you to Headline Books and Tinder Press. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Read
March 1, 2026This book FUUuuCkkED with me!!!!!!!!!! I honestly feel like I went back in time I'm thirteen and just finished house of leaves. I gotta SIT on this but please read it when it comes out I will need 2 discuss with all
February 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I just closed the book and Wow, I’ll be back with an expiation, but for now - WOW!
February 17, 2026
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and Putnam.
I really loved this book. I loved the science, I loved that I had to rethink how things might work, and I loved that I was constantly having to shift how I thought about the characters, their situations, and their reasons behind why they acted.
The story asks you to suspend a few beliefs, but gives you plausible reasons as to why you should do so. It's science fiction at its best because it makes you believe that maybe it really could be possible... while being grounded in fiction.
It's a story of loss, mistakes, regret, and love...and finding ourselves in the midst of all those things.
I really loved this book. I loved the science, I loved that I had to rethink how things might work, and I loved that I was constantly having to shift how I thought about the characters, their situations, and their reasons behind why they acted.
The story asks you to suspend a few beliefs, but gives you plausible reasons as to why you should do so. It's science fiction at its best because it makes you believe that maybe it really could be possible... while being grounded in fiction.
It's a story of loss, mistakes, regret, and love...and finding ourselves in the midst of all those things.
February 8, 2026
Under story by Chloe Benjamin. Thanks NetGalley, publisher and especially the author for the arc. Such a stunningly beautiful story filled with love and loss and heartbreak. What would you do to fix your relationship? Written with depth so you can visualise everything. Gorgeous. Loved everything about this book, the characters weren’t perfect which makes it all the more special to read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A beautifully woven story of love, loss, and the lengths one will go to survive heartbreak. This engaging science fiction journey explores what a couple is willing to do to heal. The author creates a deeply layered main character in Laurel, whose emotional depth makes it easy to connect with her experiences. While the story is lengthy and richly detailed—at times making it easy to get lost in the science—the emotional weight and thought-provoking themes more than make up for it. Overall, this book delivers a powerful, reflective experience and earns a solid four-star rating that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
March 1, 2026
Ooh this is so good
This is a unique and interesting novel which tells the story of Laurel and Eli who are a divorced couple it starts in a very naturalistic way when Laurel takes a job in an Antarctic research post in an attempt to get away from an unhappy marriage. The setting is immediately interesting and the claustrophobia of spending a winter with no sunlight down in Antarctica. Is a good place to start a book.
It Soon becomes clear that there is an additional element to this Story as not far from the base camp. There is a strange light which appears to be emanating on in an unworldly fashion from deep in the Earth. her ex’s husband is a physicist and has been developing a theory of parallel universes and when he unexpectedly appears in the same place drawn by the same weird physical occurrence it seems natural that they would want to investigate without giving too much the plot away this investigation leads them to a parallel universe one in which time moves backwards in a mirror image of our own universe
There’s some very sad parts of this novel. The family have lost a small child to a drowning accident and this is described beautifully and very poignantly in a very heart breaking section
Of course this is a sci-fi novel but the author manages to mix sci-fi and reality perfectly at all feels like it makes sense and you can suspend your disbelief just enough to thoroughly enjoy the book
I Loved the ending
The authors writing style is clear, precise and flowing and it’s a very enjoyable Read. I’ve very much enjoyed the time.I spent
Immersed in the novel.
I’m aware of this author‘s previous novels, but I’ve not read them myself
I would recommend this novel to those who enjoy an intelligent cerebral sci-fi novel with added emotional undertones. if you enjoyed to paradise by Hannah, Yanagihara for example then you will enjoy those novels
I originally copy of the novel on NetGalley UK in return for an honest review. The book is published in the UK. i’m the 1st of September 2026 by Headline books.
This review will appear in NetGalley UK, StoryGraph, Goodreads and my book blog bionicSarahSbooks.Wordpress.com
After publication will also appear on Amazon UK and Waterstones
This is a unique and interesting novel which tells the story of Laurel and Eli who are a divorced couple it starts in a very naturalistic way when Laurel takes a job in an Antarctic research post in an attempt to get away from an unhappy marriage. The setting is immediately interesting and the claustrophobia of spending a winter with no sunlight down in Antarctica. Is a good place to start a book.
It Soon becomes clear that there is an additional element to this Story as not far from the base camp. There is a strange light which appears to be emanating on in an unworldly fashion from deep in the Earth. her ex’s husband is a physicist and has been developing a theory of parallel universes and when he unexpectedly appears in the same place drawn by the same weird physical occurrence it seems natural that they would want to investigate without giving too much the plot away this investigation leads them to a parallel universe one in which time moves backwards in a mirror image of our own universe
There’s some very sad parts of this novel. The family have lost a small child to a drowning accident and this is described beautifully and very poignantly in a very heart breaking section
Of course this is a sci-fi novel but the author manages to mix sci-fi and reality perfectly at all feels like it makes sense and you can suspend your disbelief just enough to thoroughly enjoy the book
I Loved the ending
The authors writing style is clear, precise and flowing and it’s a very enjoyable Read. I’ve very much enjoyed the time.I spent
Immersed in the novel.
I’m aware of this author‘s previous novels, but I’ve not read them myself
I would recommend this novel to those who enjoy an intelligent cerebral sci-fi novel with added emotional undertones. if you enjoyed to paradise by Hannah, Yanagihara for example then you will enjoy those novels
I originally copy of the novel on NetGalley UK in return for an honest review. The book is published in the UK. i’m the 1st of September 2026 by Headline books.
This review will appear in NetGalley UK, StoryGraph, Goodreads and my book blog bionicSarahSbooks.Wordpress.com
After publication will also appear on Amazon UK and Waterstones
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Loved this. It captured so much about the preciousness and fragility of life, and the joy and grief of being a parent, all wrapped up in a really intriguing, original story. I'll now be hunting down the author's other books. Thanks to her, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
February 8, 2026
Under Story is a very ambitious and obviously required enormous amounts of research for the author. Fortunately for Chloe Benjamin, her hard work paid off in this beautiful, thought provoking novel. The author explores grief, love, loneliness and friendship in a way that gets under your skin.
I read this last month and knew very little about it other than part of the book takes place at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. I’m glad I had no prior knowledge of the plot and hadn’t read any reviews. It took a week or so of thinking back on this book after I’d finished it to determine my true feelings on it. It’s brilliant, at times confusing, at times heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful and I’m so grateful that I was able to read it. It’s completely different than anything I’ve read before. At first, the science was intimidating but the author delivers the information in a way that makes it understandable to someone without degrees in physics, botany or mycology (thank goodness or I would have been lost!) It’s not a quick read by any means, being over 500 pages in length, but it’s beautifully written and I was sad to see it end.
Highly recommend. It’s one of my favorite books of the past few years.
Thanks to Netgalley, Putnam and Tinder Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
I read this last month and knew very little about it other than part of the book takes place at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. I’m glad I had no prior knowledge of the plot and hadn’t read any reviews. It took a week or so of thinking back on this book after I’d finished it to determine my true feelings on it. It’s brilliant, at times confusing, at times heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful and I’m so grateful that I was able to read it. It’s completely different than anything I’ve read before. At first, the science was intimidating but the author delivers the information in a way that makes it understandable to someone without degrees in physics, botany or mycology (thank goodness or I would have been lost!) It’s not a quick read by any means, being over 500 pages in length, but it’s beautifully written and I was sad to see it end.
Highly recommend. It’s one of my favorite books of the past few years.
Thanks to Netgalley, Putnam and Tinder Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for allowing me to read this as an ARC.
The premise of this story is incredibly intriguing, and I was interested due to some mental images that popped up all sorts of Pirates of the Caribbean-y as I read the synopsis. So needless to say, I was expecting a good bit more fantasy and a lot less math and biology.
Honestly, I'm not sure why I'm giving it 4 stars. The vibes just feel right, you know?
However, those vibes were really hard to get into, confusing at times, and longwinded at others.
This starts off very slow. Each chapter is humungous, and with multiple sections within each, it feels like they could've been broken in half. I am very much a "finish this chapter and go to bed" sort of reader, and I had to force myself to stop mid chapter. Not because I was enthralled, but because I just straight up needed to sleep.
The timeline flip flopping was not done in a way that was easy to mesh with. Sure, the current story is told in present tense, but that means nothing to my brain when it comes to understanding where we are in time. Having a date every time we moved time would've been so incredibly helpful, ESPECIALLY towards the end when a single page could have 3 different times, although by that point I would have also liked a universe note since I'm still not sure if all of this happened in "U2" (side note: hated reading "U2" cause I kept thinking about iPhones)
I also don't think I'm quite the right audience for this. I don't have a kid. I will never have a kid. The closest I'll ever get are my dogs and, while I would fight a bear for them, I don't think I'd go universe hopping for them. I do think a parent who had lost a child would absolutely melt reading this, though. Nary a tear on my end.
Oh, and that last bit before the ending (trying to be spoiler free here) felt shoehorned in to potentially give G closure and to make C feel like she was even more relevant than she felt. To me, anyways.
So yeah. Four stars based on vibes, even though I have some gripes about the book as a whole. Maybe 4 for vibes, 2.5 for execution? Whatever. It gets 4 stars.
The premise of this story is incredibly intriguing, and I was interested due to some mental images that popped up all sorts of Pirates of the Caribbean-y as I read the synopsis. So needless to say, I was expecting a good bit more fantasy and a lot less math and biology.
Honestly, I'm not sure why I'm giving it 4 stars. The vibes just feel right, you know?
However, those vibes were really hard to get into, confusing at times, and longwinded at others.
This starts off very slow. Each chapter is humungous, and with multiple sections within each, it feels like they could've been broken in half. I am very much a "finish this chapter and go to bed" sort of reader, and I had to force myself to stop mid chapter. Not because I was enthralled, but because I just straight up needed to sleep.
The timeline flip flopping was not done in a way that was easy to mesh with. Sure, the current story is told in present tense, but that means nothing to my brain when it comes to understanding where we are in time. Having a date every time we moved time would've been so incredibly helpful, ESPECIALLY towards the end when a single page could have 3 different times, although by that point I would have also liked a universe note since I'm still not sure if all of this happened in "U2" (side note: hated reading "U2" cause I kept thinking about iPhones)
I also don't think I'm quite the right audience for this. I don't have a kid. I will never have a kid. The closest I'll ever get are my dogs and, while I would fight a bear for them, I don't think I'd go universe hopping for them. I do think a parent who had lost a child would absolutely melt reading this, though. Nary a tear on my end.
Oh, and that last bit before the ending (trying to be spoiler free here) felt shoehorned in to potentially give G closure and to make C feel like she was even more relevant than she felt. To me, anyways.
So yeah. Four stars based on vibes, even though I have some gripes about the book as a whole. Maybe 4 for vibes, 2.5 for execution? Whatever. It gets 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Under Story by Chloe Benjamin completely swept me away. It's an emotional, captivating novel that I truly couldn't put down. While it lives firmly in the realm of speculative fiction, it’s also a profound love story between two people, between parents and their child, and between humanity and the natural world. I felt completely transported into the world Benjamin created, one that was so vivid and convincing that I'm still thinking about it.
This is an ambitious novel in the best way possible. It feels both intimate and universal, balancing personal grief and longing with questions that stretch far beyond one family. It’s a tender, thoughtful exploration of love, aging, memory, and the risks we’re willing to take to reclaim what we’ve lost. Benjamin redefines what a love story can be. She crafts a duoverse that feels grounded and entirely plausible, turning a high-concept premise into something emotionally real.
The characters are authentic and believable. I could feel their heartbreak, their longing, and their desperation to recover not only what they lost, but who they once were, individually and together. Their willingness to venture beyond the known in the face of devastating loss made their journey powerful and compelling.
The novel is rich with science, and it’s clear Benjamin did her research. I sometimes lose interest when a story leans too heavily into technical detail, but that never happened here. Benjamin has an gift for making complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Even when I didn’t fully grasp every scientific nuance, I never felt left behind. (I now know far more about fungi and neutrinos than I ever expected!) The science is essential to the world-building and to the emotional arcs of the characters.
Under Story is bold in its scope and beautifully written. Benjamin’s storytelling is immersive, intelligent, and deeply affecting. It’s a world I would step back into in a heartbeat. I’m calling it now. This will easily be one of my top five novels of the year.
Many thanks to NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Chloe Benjamin for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is an ambitious novel in the best way possible. It feels both intimate and universal, balancing personal grief and longing with questions that stretch far beyond one family. It’s a tender, thoughtful exploration of love, aging, memory, and the risks we’re willing to take to reclaim what we’ve lost. Benjamin redefines what a love story can be. She crafts a duoverse that feels grounded and entirely plausible, turning a high-concept premise into something emotionally real.
The characters are authentic and believable. I could feel their heartbreak, their longing, and their desperation to recover not only what they lost, but who they once were, individually and together. Their willingness to venture beyond the known in the face of devastating loss made their journey powerful and compelling.
The novel is rich with science, and it’s clear Benjamin did her research. I sometimes lose interest when a story leans too heavily into technical detail, but that never happened here. Benjamin has an gift for making complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Even when I didn’t fully grasp every scientific nuance, I never felt left behind. (I now know far more about fungi and neutrinos than I ever expected!) The science is essential to the world-building and to the emotional arcs of the characters.
Under Story is bold in its scope and beautifully written. Benjamin’s storytelling is immersive, intelligent, and deeply affecting. It’s a world I would step back into in a heartbeat. I’m calling it now. This will easily be one of my top five novels of the year.
Many thanks to NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Chloe Benjamin for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 1, 2026
I find stories on the idea of multi-universe fascinating and this was no exception, I liked the imaginative idea of it.
I enjoyed the first part of the book which I thought it very well written with a great description of place and family history. I loved reading about Lauren’s family life on the farm and the love story between the two main characters. Lauren’s journey to Antartica to an unknown way of life was intriguing, the interaction of the community working together, descriptions of the lifestyle,the friendships and excitement of discoveries especially the strange appearance of the Arc, I found engrossing.. I would have preferred it to have been chronological rather than flipping between two timelines, as this would have kept it more consistent with the second part..
The second part was a whole different ball game. Wow! It took me some time to get my head around this concept. It was quite an achievement to pull this off, and even courageous to have attempted it. But can’t say I enjoyed this part of the book as much, and even found some of the ideas distasteful.
The characters throughout were well developed and likeable. The lengthy technical physics explanations didn’t phase me, although there was a lot of it I didn’t understand, and I thought it didn’t seem to make much difference to the story if most of it had been missed out.
It kept me entertained throughout and gave me much food for thought.
Many thanks to Chloe Benjamin, Headline and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy.
I enjoyed the first part of the book which I thought it very well written with a great description of place and family history. I loved reading about Lauren’s family life on the farm and the love story between the two main characters. Lauren’s journey to Antartica to an unknown way of life was intriguing, the interaction of the community working together, descriptions of the lifestyle,the friendships and excitement of discoveries especially the strange appearance of the Arc, I found engrossing.. I would have preferred it to have been chronological rather than flipping between two timelines, as this would have kept it more consistent with the second part..
The second part was a whole different ball game. Wow! It took me some time to get my head around this concept. It was quite an achievement to pull this off, and even courageous to have attempted it. But can’t say I enjoyed this part of the book as much, and even found some of the ideas distasteful.
The characters throughout were well developed and likeable. The lengthy technical physics explanations didn’t phase me, although there was a lot of it I didn’t understand, and I thought it didn’t seem to make much difference to the story if most of it had been missed out.
It kept me entertained throughout and gave me much food for thought.
Many thanks to Chloe Benjamin, Headline and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow, this was NOT at all what I was expecting.
Under Story is incredibly AMBITIOUS and BIG. As in 500 pages big.
We start the book with Laurel Salter in the McMurdo Station in Antartica (a real place), working as a dishwasher, putting aside her teaching job for a year, to just escape from reality.
Along the way, we meet new friends, a new life for Laurel, and find out why she's there to begin with.
The most intriguing parts of this book is the science behind the station and discovering new facts I never knew about Antartica. Chloe Benjamin is incredibly smart and really breaks down the details to the reader who will probably not know anything about what we're about to learn.
When a mysterious Arc appears over the frozen ice, the world becomes captivated - what could this possibly be? And can it help finds humans a passage towards discovering basic humanity? What if it could turn back time so we could relive what was once lost?
In the most improbable of a Benjamin Button storyline, and I take that lightly, Laurel and her ex-husband Eli decide to take a chance of a lifetime, even if that means living in a parallel universe.
I don't want to reveal too much, because there's SO much to unpack. There's a ton of science, perhaps 100 pages too much of storyline, the pacing speeds up in the second half despite going backwards, if that makes sense.
There's discussion about who we vote for can change the world (ahem) and protecting the earth in all its glory, because damn it, it's all we have.
I loved the first 50%, the second half had me wishing it was 100 pages shorter. There's a lot of speculative scientific chatter going on, much that went over my head because I'm not smart enough to understand it.
I expect to see a TON of different view points once Under Story is released on 9/1/26. Can't wait to hear what everyone thinks!
Under Story is incredibly AMBITIOUS and BIG. As in 500 pages big.
We start the book with Laurel Salter in the McMurdo Station in Antartica (a real place), working as a dishwasher, putting aside her teaching job for a year, to just escape from reality.
Along the way, we meet new friends, a new life for Laurel, and find out why she's there to begin with.
The most intriguing parts of this book is the science behind the station and discovering new facts I never knew about Antartica. Chloe Benjamin is incredibly smart and really breaks down the details to the reader who will probably not know anything about what we're about to learn.
When a mysterious Arc appears over the frozen ice, the world becomes captivated - what could this possibly be? And can it help finds humans a passage towards discovering basic humanity? What if it could turn back time so we could relive what was once lost?
In the most improbable of a Benjamin Button storyline, and I take that lightly, Laurel and her ex-husband Eli decide to take a chance of a lifetime, even if that means living in a parallel universe.
I don't want to reveal too much, because there's SO much to unpack. There's a ton of science, perhaps 100 pages too much of storyline, the pacing speeds up in the second half despite going backwards, if that makes sense.
There's discussion about who we vote for can change the world (ahem) and protecting the earth in all its glory, because damn it, it's all we have.
I loved the first 50%, the second half had me wishing it was 100 pages shorter. There's a lot of speculative scientific chatter going on, much that went over my head because I'm not smart enough to understand it.
I expect to see a TON of different view points once Under Story is released on 9/1/26. Can't wait to hear what everyone thinks!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Under Story is unlike anything I’ve read in a long time. It’s quiet and intimate, but also wildly ambitious, the kind of book that isn’t afraid to ask enormous questions and then sit with the discomfort of the answers. It blends science, love, grief, and wonder in a way that feels completely unique and this story stretches from the most personal heartbreak to the edges of the universe without ever losing its emotional core.
Laurel’s loneliness in Antarctica is palpable, and when Eli reenters her life, the emotional weight between them hits hard. Their relationship isn’t romanticized or neat; it’s complicated, aching, and deeply real. The Arc is strange and mesmerizing, but what truly drives this story is the longing underneath it and the desire to fix what was broken, to reclaim lost time, and to believe that love might be powerful enough to rewrite the past. This book made me slow down, feel everything, and really sit with the cost of wanting more than we’re given.
Bold, thoughtful, and beautifully written, Under Story feels like a love letter to both humanity and the planet we’re trying (and sometimes failing) to protect. It’s the kind of novel that I will not be able to forget, not because it gives easy answers, but because it dares to imagine something bigger and asks you to feel every bit of it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Chloe Benjamin, and Putnam for the eARC of this book.
Laurel’s loneliness in Antarctica is palpable, and when Eli reenters her life, the emotional weight between them hits hard. Their relationship isn’t romanticized or neat; it’s complicated, aching, and deeply real. The Arc is strange and mesmerizing, but what truly drives this story is the longing underneath it and the desire to fix what was broken, to reclaim lost time, and to believe that love might be powerful enough to rewrite the past. This book made me slow down, feel everything, and really sit with the cost of wanting more than we’re given.
Bold, thoughtful, and beautifully written, Under Story feels like a love letter to both humanity and the planet we’re trying (and sometimes failing) to protect. It’s the kind of novel that I will not be able to forget, not because it gives easy answers, but because it dares to imagine something bigger and asks you to feel every bit of it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Chloe Benjamin, and Putnam for the eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you like bizarre, outlandish, and unsettling time traveling stories have I got the book for you!
Chloe Benjamin has crafted the strangest book I have read in possibly my whole life. It begins at a research station in Antartica: a mycologist named Laurel takes a short term position working in the station's kitchen to escape troubles back home. Soon after, her former husband and physicist Eli arrives unexpectedly to investigate a strange phenomemon, a colorful arc appearing on the horizon. Together, they speculate that the arc may be a portal allowing them to go back in time and reverse a tragedy that affected them both years before.
As the story progresses, especially once Eli and Laurel travel through the portal, each page becomes stranger than the last. Think of "The OA," "Arrival," and maybe a bit of "Stranger Things" all blended together into science fiction, romance, mystery, and literary fiction. I was especially impressed with Benjamin's skill in conveying complex and novel scientific ideas with clarity for the reader. The book is complicated and requires focus. It is not a light beach read, but certainly worth it if you are a fan of science fiction. The different parts, once all woven together at the end, create something wholly unique and beautiful.
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!
Chloe Benjamin has crafted the strangest book I have read in possibly my whole life. It begins at a research station in Antartica: a mycologist named Laurel takes a short term position working in the station's kitchen to escape troubles back home. Soon after, her former husband and physicist Eli arrives unexpectedly to investigate a strange phenomemon, a colorful arc appearing on the horizon. Together, they speculate that the arc may be a portal allowing them to go back in time and reverse a tragedy that affected them both years before.
As the story progresses, especially once Eli and Laurel travel through the portal, each page becomes stranger than the last. Think of "The OA," "Arrival," and maybe a bit of "Stranger Things" all blended together into science fiction, romance, mystery, and literary fiction. I was especially impressed with Benjamin's skill in conveying complex and novel scientific ideas with clarity for the reader. The book is complicated and requires focus. It is not a light beach read, but certainly worth it if you are a fan of science fiction. The different parts, once all woven together at the end, create something wholly unique and beautiful.
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*With thanks to Netgalley for the ARC*
I just loved reading this book. I don’t have a scientific brain, more of a literary one, so I had to suspend my disbelief and trust in an element of plausibility to the author’s obviously detailed research (my brain makes a swooshing la la la noise at the concept of antimatter, which doesn’t help when one central premise of a novel is an anti-universe, but the writing was vivid I got swept along anyway).
Laurel is a mycologist (mushroom scientist) whose life takes a turn that leads to her divorce from her physicist husband, Eli. It’s a turn that eventually leads her to being a steward at the research centre in Antarctica. When she arrives, her eye is drawn to “the Arc”, a Northern Lights-style light phenomenon over an icy lake, and she’s not the only one being drawn to it. Physicists are also intrigued…
The book is long and detailed but I still didn’t want it to end. It verged on sentimental at times but this doesn’t detract from a well-told story and some brain-twisting thought processes along the way. Great world-building. Recommend.
I just loved reading this book. I don’t have a scientific brain, more of a literary one, so I had to suspend my disbelief and trust in an element of plausibility to the author’s obviously detailed research (my brain makes a swooshing la la la noise at the concept of antimatter, which doesn’t help when one central premise of a novel is an anti-universe, but the writing was vivid I got swept along anyway).
Laurel is a mycologist (mushroom scientist) whose life takes a turn that leads to her divorce from her physicist husband, Eli. It’s a turn that eventually leads her to being a steward at the research centre in Antarctica. When she arrives, her eye is drawn to “the Arc”, a Northern Lights-style light phenomenon over an icy lake, and she’s not the only one being drawn to it. Physicists are also intrigued…
The book is long and detailed but I still didn’t want it to end. It verged on sentimental at times but this doesn’t detract from a well-told story and some brain-twisting thought processes along the way. Great world-building. Recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the first book I’ve read by Chloe Benjamin and I enjoyed my time with this book. This was a unique story with some magical realism, science, love, loneliness, grief, and regret. This is a book you have to concentrate on and take your time. It’s beautifully written and character driven, but also has a great plot. It has a lot of science based information, but it’s explained in a way that’s easy to digest. At first it was slow and it took me some time to get motivated to continue. About the end of the first half, I was fully invested. The last half became very fever dream-like and somewhat confusing and I had to sit with it and think about it to figure out how I felt. To me that is a sign of a brilliantly written book. Things aren’t dumbed down and spelled out for the reader. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a book that makes you think. I look forward to reading more of Chloe Benjamin’s books in the future.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Putnam for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Putnam for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really loved the first half of this book - I enjoyed learning about the characters, the premise was interesting, the trip to the Antarctic was exciting and I was fully involved in the story. There was some physics going on, but it didn't seem mandatory to understand that side of things.
But for most of the second half I was just thinking 'wait, what?!'...I didn't fully understand the world I was being asked to believe in (yes, I know, it's not real but still I kept waiting for a better explanation and non was forthcoming). So then that meant the second half of the book dragged...just waiting for something to make sense, or for one of the characters to do something clever. There were still aspects I liked, but I felt sad because what had felt like a 5 star read lost its momentum, and I really wanted it to get good again. I stuck with it, but I felt the ending didn't help matters, and so I was left feeling disgruntled.
It was a really great idea, but just didn't quite work out for me as a reader.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy.
But for most of the second half I was just thinking 'wait, what?!'...I didn't fully understand the world I was being asked to believe in (yes, I know, it's not real but still I kept waiting for a better explanation and non was forthcoming). So then that meant the second half of the book dragged...just waiting for something to make sense, or for one of the characters to do something clever. There were still aspects I liked, but I felt sad because what had felt like a 5 star read lost its momentum, and I really wanted it to get good again. I stuck with it, but I felt the ending didn't help matters, and so I was left feeling disgruntled.
It was a really great idea, but just didn't quite work out for me as a reader.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was hooked from the beginning and became very invested in these characters. I was so excited to see where it was going because it had such a unique storyline. It’s two parts, and part one could have been a standalone book for me, minus the many sidebars of facts, as I felt like I was reading a college textbook. For me, the second part was a mess of timelines, concepts and characters. I had such high hopes for this book, but it just didn’t land for me. I felt this book was very much a work in progress with a lot of concepts thrown into a book, jumbled up, and then more concepts added. For me, it was just too much. There were threads of brilliance and I was hooked in the beginning, but then it felt it just would never end. I exhaled when it finally did. I feel this is either going to be a 5 star or a NDF for most, with little in between. (I landed on a 3 star, 5 star part 1 and close to DNF part 2.) I’m very thankful to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow! This book was an adventure! It did start out a bit slow, but once it got going, it lived in my head. I actually had dreams about it, which I can't remember the last time that happened! There were a few plot points that I couldn't quite get behind, but all in all, a really great read!
What if there was a hole that could lead you to another place, a place that maybe you could right things that are wrong in your world? Well, that's what Laurel thinks she's found, and now must convince her ex husband to go with her! Not a romance, but an epic love story through time.
I'd read The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin, which I loved, and this book is so completely different that it's hard to believe it came from the same mind, except for the fact that it is equally as brilliant. I will definitely be recommending this book.
I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley, and all opinions are my own.
What if there was a hole that could lead you to another place, a place that maybe you could right things that are wrong in your world? Well, that's what Laurel thinks she's found, and now must convince her ex husband to go with her! Not a romance, but an epic love story through time.
I'd read The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin, which I loved, and this book is so completely different that it's hard to believe it came from the same mind, except for the fact that it is equally as brilliant. I will definitely be recommending this book.
I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley, and all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is an ambitious novel. At over five hundred pages long and covering two time lines and universes there is a lot to unpack here. I loved Laurel and Eli as characters. We see everything through Laurel's eyes throughout and she is an appealingly flawed companion. I was gripped by the human story but often confused by the science and logic of the bigger story. In terms of this, the first half of the book worked much better than the second half of the book where I felt things got rather bogged down and there were times when I didn't think the alternate universe held together very well. In terms of character, the second half of the book was much more powerfully affecting and a great driver that allowed me to ignore the technical aspects of the book that snagged my attention. It's well written and Benjamin is to be applauded for the scope of her ambition. She clearly isn't shy of a challenge.
March 3, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Chloe Benjamin for the opportunity to review an ARC of Under Story!
Reading the synopsis, I was really interested in this unique sci-fi story about love, life and death, and the ultimate question of can we live our story a second time but in a different way. I liked the author’s authentic descriptions of grief, trauma, love, and loss. I felt gutted for the main characters throughout their journey. The story had good bones and a fascinating concept. Unfortunately, the first half was incredibly slow with an over abundance of backstory that didn’t feel central to the point. The author’s descriptions for some of the scientific processes were excessive when it wasn’t entirely part of the plot but rather filler.
I liked but didn’t love. Could have been condensed to a place where the concept was still there but you don’t get lost in the weeds of all the unneeded detail.
Reading the synopsis, I was really interested in this unique sci-fi story about love, life and death, and the ultimate question of can we live our story a second time but in a different way. I liked the author’s authentic descriptions of grief, trauma, love, and loss. I felt gutted for the main characters throughout their journey. The story had good bones and a fascinating concept. Unfortunately, the first half was incredibly slow with an over abundance of backstory that didn’t feel central to the point. The author’s descriptions for some of the scientific processes were excessive when it wasn’t entirely part of the plot but rather filler.
I liked but didn’t love. Could have been condensed to a place where the concept was still there but you don’t get lost in the weeds of all the unneeded detail.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is an ambitious book with a sprawling plot and mind-bending twists and turns. The two main characters are flawed but easy to root for -- their relationship feels authentic and lived-in even and especially when their emotions are frayed by circumstance. On the whole it is a propulsive and engaging read, and the world Chloe Benjamin has built will stay with me. That said, there are a couple of off-notes. Some of the scientific rabbit holes are superfluous. The second half of the book drags and jumps around in time for no clear reason. And there are way, way too many secondary characters: outside of Gloria and one or two of Laurel's friends, the cast blurs into a mass of indistinguishable names. Even still, I'm glad I read this weird, inventive, and thought-provoking story. Thanks for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Multiple universes. The power of connectivity. Existential questions.
This book was a fever dream. I'm still speechless about it, to be honest, and in complete admiration of Chloe's writing abilities. Her science knowledge (or really thorough research) shines in this book. There are moments where the science definitely went over my head, but I got the gist. Also, I am incredibly biased by saying this, but Madison, WI is the best city. Having lived there for over 10 years, I absolutely adored all the Madison references, and it made me feel even more connected to the story. Overall, I will be thinking about this one for a while!
This book is perfect for:
-fans of Blake Crouch, Andy Weir
-science lovers
-anyone obsessed with Madison, Wi
This book was a fever dream. I'm still speechless about it, to be honest, and in complete admiration of Chloe's writing abilities. Her science knowledge (or really thorough research) shines in this book. There are moments where the science definitely went over my head, but I got the gist. Also, I am incredibly biased by saying this, but Madison, WI is the best city. Having lived there for over 10 years, I absolutely adored all the Madison references, and it made me feel even more connected to the story. Overall, I will be thinking about this one for a while!
This book is perfect for:
-fans of Blake Crouch, Andy Weir
-science lovers
-anyone obsessed with Madison, Wi
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Tinder Press and NetGalley for the ARC!
I have never read a book like this and I fear I cannot explain how interesting it was without revealing spoilers. It definitely is not something I usually read and it is long but worth it in the end. I found it fascinating about the other world where they raise their parents and an overtaker not an undertaker brings them to you. I still need to wrap my head around this but leaning towards this book Will finds its readers but not sure if that reader is me!
I have never read a book like this and I fear I cannot explain how interesting it was without revealing spoilers. It definitely is not something I usually read and it is long but worth it in the end. I found it fascinating about the other world where they raise their parents and an overtaker not an undertaker brings them to you. I still need to wrap my head around this but leaning towards this book Will finds its readers but not sure if that reader is me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews