Survival of the Fittest


Chloe Doe

Suzanne Philips

Review by Emely Lopez

“I told her once I wasn’t good at anything. She told me survival is a talent.”
― Susanna Kaysen, Girl, Interrupted

According to the Oxford dictionary, the word survival means “continue to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship.”

The ‘in spite of danger or hardship’ part is key for Chloe Doe.

The story begins when 17-year-old Chloe is placed in the Madeline Parker Institute for Girls following an arrest for prostitution. Chloe comes into the institute hard headed, with a stubborn and indignant attitude. But as her therapist is able to unravel this rigid, reluctant exterior, Chloe reveals her deep, hidden memories. From her mother's long list of live in boyfriends, a stepfather who got a little too close to her sister, to running away and pleasuring johns in order to make money. Throughout the book, the reader is able to see the vulnerability and toughness of the young teen through her thoughts and emotions. All though the reason as to why Chloe cut ties with her family is not revealed until the end, the book is an authentic, captivating read.

Based on the chapters I have read, I can genuinely say that this novel was a great read. What really jumped out at me was how Phillips was able to able incorporate such intense, sensitive subjects into not only Chloe's life but also in the lives of the other girls in the institute. For instance, prostitution--the reason Chloe is where she is now. Prostitution in the eyes of normal civilians is something that we don't quite understand. Phillips is able to bring a light to this topic. In Chloe's life, being only 17 on her own, she needs a way to provide for herself. In the novel, Chloe is seen having to pleasure someone in exchange for food. While the outside reader may have other opinions on this act, they are still able to understand the hardship and how desperate someone in this situation would be. Chloe says,“Like my sister always said, it's a matter of survival” (90). Everything Chloe did was only for a matter of survival. Chloe felt as she wasn't good enough for her mother, or even her school or to actually have a normal life. In another event. when her therapist asks if she will return back to her old street life she replies with “I’ll go back because it's all I know. Because I'm good at it. Because it pays the bills” (90). She was so tied into this lifestyle most likely because she felt like it was the only thing she was good at. Since the beginning of her life on her own, that's all she knew; that is how she survived. On the contrary, what I also liked was how the author provided hope to this situation. One day in the institute, a Gautama Buddha priest comes to talk to the girls. Something that spoke to me was “Who you are, is no more. This is a new beginning. Your life is a clean slate. You may begin inscribing at any moment” (83). For Chloe and as well as the reader, this could be eye opening. Phillips uses the priest to show the girls that their past life isn't what defines them, nor is it what they're meant to do for the rest of their lives. Phillips provides light to this dark time for them. What this priest says spoke volumes to my life by reminding me that there is always more to my life and I am the one that controls it.

What I also liked about this story is the language used by the author. As a Spanish speaker, I thought it was enjoyable to see a few Spanish words embedded into the text. For me, it made it more dramatic, funny or even interesting.

Overall, I really recommend the book Chloe Doe by Suzanne Phillips. In my opinion, this novel is suitable for mature audiences, typically 15 years of age and above, due to the intense subjects. I enjoyed this novel quite a lot and was able to gain important insight on subjects I had prior opinions on.

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