Chrysalis

Product Information

Each narrator has their own idealized view of who she is, and they can’t compute when she doesn’t fit in that box.

Chrysalis by Anna Metcalfe is a debut novel about an unnamed woman who becomes a viral internet sensation, told by three people who are/have been close to her. I read this novel as it is the second novel, to be published in June 2023, from an author who in late April 2023 was selected for the decennial Granta Best of Young British Novelists list.Through her dedication and YouTube videos, she amasses a small cult following who follows her lead and rejects society--perhaps, in a way, the only way a woman can be truly safe in this world? Elliot is a slightly unnerving character, aspects of his behaviour and his fascination with the woman reminded me of Frederick in John Fowles’s The Collector - possibly intentionally since both books deploy imagery related to metamorphosis and butterflies. Chrysalis is a savvy exploration of one woman’s desire to inspire others, and how self-presentation can tip into obsession. I was alternately intrigued and bemused by the structure of Chrysalis, and then I heard Anna Metcalfe speaking and she stated that the structure of her novel is near identical to Hang Kang’s The Vegetarian .

Each of her narrators is witness to an aspect of the nameless woman’s transformation from floundering, and possibly traumatised, to seemingly-invulnerable colossus.M.Forster's "Howard's End" is a novel which has as its theme "Only connect", this is one in which people sadly fail to connect properly and in which perception becomes more important than actuality. Had she done that the book would've been a masterpiece, but what I did get was a plunge into a vapid late capitalist lifestyle guru story and mixed metaphors. It's really sharp, it's uncomfortable at times, but it was a gripping read and I will absolutely look out for more writing from Anna Metcalfe. One of the beauties of Chrysalis: the story isn't only about Nicola but the ways Nicola impacts the lives of those around her, particularly the novel's three narrators. Payments made using National Book Tokens are processed by National Book Tokens Ltd, and you can read their Terms and Conditions here.

Metcalfe was recently included on Granta’s list of the 20 Best Young British Novelists, and this debut proves that this is a worthy inclusion. She swayed her head like something possessed… It seemed too private an act to witness, a deeply intimate thing. It is the story of an influencer, never named, who preaches to her loyal followers about the benefits of solitude, selfishness, and putting yourself first.I really wasn’t expecting to love Chrysalis as much as I did, and will be recommending to all the lovers of modern fiction - I absolutely adored the writing and completely gelled with the flow! Susie, a work colleague, supports the protagonist when she leaves her dysfunctional relationship and her job at a law firm. I also could have done without a lot of the superfluous details (especially from the first narrator) - I skimmed over a lot of mundane text. Han Kang’s The Vegetarian is a clear influence, and I also thought of the end of Richard Powers’ The Overstory – female characters, merging with plants, find respite in obliteration.

Elliot, a recluse who notices her at the gym, witnesses her physical evolution and becomes her first acolyte. Bella, her mother, worries about the intense effect her daughter’s new way of life is beginning to have on others, and she reflects on their relationship, a close cocoon from which her daughter has broken free. This is such an intriguing, thought-provoking read that made me think a lot about ideas surrounding independence, selfhood, and perception.Metcalfe describes through three perspectives the transformation of a woman who has been traumatized. Photograph: Alice Zoo View image in fullscreen Anna Metcalfe’s nameless protagonist becomes ‘a cult figure who embraces solitude’. Finally, we see who she is through a work friend and flatmate, who describes the change before her abusive relationship and after.