Literary Fiction by People of Color discussion

If anyone would like to lead the May discussion for Chlorine, please let me know. You can respond here or dm me directly. Thanks

Happy May! Our discussion this month is CHLORINE by Jade Song. Has anyone read it or reading it? Been to a book signing? What’s your thoughts on debut novels?

Discussion schedule:

There are 20 chapters here. If you’re reading the book then you know the text is very small. Very, very small. I got my copy from the library but would’ve liked an ebook. At 64 my eyes aren’t as great as they once were 👀

Chap 1-3 * now through 5/6
Chap 4-9 * 5/7 through 5/11
Chap 10-14 * 5/12 through 5/19

Entire book open 5/20

Happy reading!

In several of our recent discussions, there has been questions raised about the authors or publisher’s responsibility to notify the reader about subjects that may be triggering. That some sensitive subjects require a trigger warning and it’s negligent of the author/publisher not to forewarn the reader.

Well, Jade Song has included an author’s note that says in fact, “ please note these pages contain discussion and instances of racism, misogyny, self-harm, eating disorders, homophobia, depression, and sexual violence.”

What’s your thoughts on this? Do you think it’s necessary? I’m on record as saying I don’t think they are necessary. That what may be triggering for one may not be for someone else. There’s 1,001 different subjects out there that might be considered triggering. How do you parse them out? Even several of the ones the author mentions are really suspect to me. I mean racism, misogyny, depression? Couldn’t that be relegated to the book jacket instead of a special mention? I don’t know. I certainly don’t want to sound insensitive because I have some things from the past that make me feel some kind of way so it’s not that I’ve lived a trauma-feee life. Far from it.

I’m very curious to hear others thoughts.

ColumbusReads wrote: "In several of our recent discussions, there has been questions raised about the authors or publisher’s responsibility to notify the reader about subjects that may be triggering. That some sensitive..."

Sad to say, people need to be aware of such because we (younger generation) tends to be more sensitive to things than others whom are Baby boomers. I am not generalizing because I work with all groups of men and we are (those older, from Gen X and Baby Boomers) how the younger, Gen Y/Millenialls, Gen Z and so on are facing anxiety when most things are given to them than when we were coming up. Therefore, we have to be mindful of all kinds of emotions, triggers, and traumas people have undergone may have an affect/effect on them when reading material. Just my 2cents, from running book clubs at work and joining clubs offsite.

Today's Bday, May2nd and have a copy of Chlorine in hardback and eBook from library, just finished April's read...so I will see how this one plays out. I do not think this was my book club choice yet I will see if I can handle it.

Finished the first three chapters of the book and really liking what I’ve read thus far. Well, I’m enjoying the writing, the humor, the interaction with mom and Ren and the swim scenes. But, I despise Jim, the randy, lecherous swim coach. Ugghh! Anxious to see where this goes.

Reading/discussing through chapter 9.

ColumbusReads wrote: "Finished the first three chapters of the book and really liking what I’ve read thus far. Well, I’m enjoying the writing, the humor, the interaction with mom and Ren and the swim scenes. But, I desp..."

Agree with Jim, seems like a pervert for sure; I hope not child molester.

I chuckled at chapter 3 or 4 with the swim meet--and said, she could write that with William and Morrow, the scene with trying to put a tampon inside with her friend's help--left crimson on her hand while in the audience, believing they are now close friends because of it. This sense of humor, sometimes, I have to pause and take a step back. Did they do that? in my Erkel Voice.

I read this book in hopes of participating in the discussion! Please lmk how to engage.

Kia wrote: "I read this book in hopes of participating in the discussion! Please lmk how to engage."

Hello Kia, you can comment on the book here on this thread. You can find the reading schedule in message #3. We’re now discussing chapters 1-9

so far this book is a bit much, see no comments yet

only three people reading or responding to this book.

Just finished! The ending was so chilling

I enjoy coming of age tales and this one was no exception. I felt the author did a great job giving the MC such an honest and raw voice. It was haunting being inside her head and hearing her process her thoughts.

I thought it also captured those awkward teenage friendships that can form - and also how that same awkwardness can lead to isolation and being an outsider. How even being in a group/sport can still leave you feeling without friends.

For a book set in the present, I'm shocked Ren received no psychological treatment/exam when she was in the hospital.

Overall, I thought the author tackled quite a themese and did it all well.

I thought it was an interesting read as well. My assumption in the beginning was that she would be somehow transformed into a mermaid, but I would not have guessed the self-mutilation turn she took.

While I understand the mermaids that she is constantly thinking about in the beginning and when she ages are fictional. She does also talk about other mermaids now that she had transformed. Are those also only in her head?

Self-mutilation is nothing new. years ago, there was a show, cannot recall the name, would show those mutilation themselves into face looking like a tiger or cat for real!

Jessica wrote: "Just finished! The ending was so chilling

I enjoy coming of age tales and this one was no exception. I felt the author did a great job giving the MC such an honest and raw voice. It was haunting b..."

Is the awkwardness, a crush, or secret love? not necessarily a friendship?

Amala's wrote: "I thought it was an interesting read as well. My assumption in the beginning was that she would be somehow transformed into a mermaid, but I would not have guessed the self-mutilation turn she took..."

As I was reading, I assumed she planned to tranform into a mermaid, but I did not think it would be quite so literal or drastic, but I suppose we should have been prepared. Early on, she eschews traditional fairy tale type mermaids in favor of more raw, violent, powerful ones. I don't think she's looking for a happy ending so much as a way to release all the power, anger, and frustration built up inside her.

agree with Jessica.. but a real mermaid but made up her mind that she was such and mutilated her body to be one.

Just now got this from the library. I’m very intrigued by the discussions.

wow. this book was stunning to me. read it late bc i was in a big long hold line for the library copy. seems like a bunch of ppl are reading it based on how long i had to wait!

re: content notes. i was really grateful for them at the beginning of this book. i hardly thought about them throughout, but i was able to go into the book prepared. sometimes the surprise of particularly difficult themes takes away my ability to savor the writing bc im so braced for what is to come. this heads up let me relax a bit even though i was still completely shocked the turns this tale/tail took!!