Another entry in what I think of as weird girl fiction — where reality is more a matter of perception, girls can be gross and cruel and monstrous, and ultimately it’s about the journey and the fever dream experience.

Chlorine revolves around a girl named Ren Yu and her relationship with perfection. Through it, everything is possible, every question answered, every relationship resolved. The issue, though, is that Ren starts as a human — one limited and affected by the very flawed humans who are responsible for her, and who leave an indelible mark on the shape of her final transformation.

Chlorine accomplishes a lot very quickly, and manages to favor showing over telling despite the first person narration. This allows you to focus in on what and who made Ren Yu, and the various places she was let down. Within the layers of fantasy and body horror are the very real stories of a queer awakening, of growing up within the Chinese diaspora, and of taking competitive swimming to one of its most extreme ends.

The story itself is wide open to a number of interpretations, which to me makes it even more of a success. If anyone else reads it, I’d love to hear your thoughts about the ending.