“Sometimes we stay silent so that we may survive” is just one of the many lines that linger with you throughout Anuja Varghese’s debut short story collection, Chrysalis. Her raw and poignant writing works beautifully to tell stories of belonging, family, and identity, while also switching between different genres. Focusing on women of colour and exploring their relationships with sexuality and race, this is a collection that includes folklore and fairytale retellings. Drawing on the magical and the relatable, Varghese dives into the complex narratives that come with societal and familial expectations, creating a collection that discusses a wide range of emotional and vulnerable female experiences.

Telling these stories through a feminist lens, Chrysalis is set in Canada and follows a variety of ethnic women of different sexualities and ages. From twin sisters discovering the secret of their mysterious farmhouse to a woman battling against the blatant racism in her workplace, this book reveals the complex emotions and thoughts of women in a refreshing and vulnerable way. Each story holds a different meaning, whether it’s to love who you want or to recognize the way we internalize trauma. But most importantly, they shine a light on the aspects of life that we often hide or ignore. Varghese’s passionate descriptions and storytelling let us dive deep into the emotional experiences of women all over the country and come face to face with the anger, fears, and love that affect so many of us.

These themes aren’t for the faint of heart. Varghese discusses difficult subjects, such as miscarriage, self-harm, homophobia, and racism. I’ve never read a book that discusses these topics so outright and unapologetically, especially in the ways that these stories do. They’re deeply emotional and don’t just touch on these topics lightly, but fully dive into them. They’re beautifully written, capturing the raw and intense emotions of these female characters. It’s so inspiring and validating to read about these experiences that affect so many people, but I rarely hear about the more emotional side of them. These characters are transparent and honest. It’s refreshing to read a book that depicts these struggles so accurately. Chrysalis focuses solely on the female perspective, and it feels gratifying that they’re being addressed. I know what it’s like to feel alone when people don’t know anything about what you’re experiencing or when others assume that it’s “normal” and “common.” It’s like we’re being neglected, but it’s simply because our stories aren’t being shared. The emotions and feelings of women can often be reduced or overlooked, and I’m appreciative that they’re being recognized through these stories.

Even with its constantly changing themes, this collection adds another element of contrast by focusing on different women of colour. Themes of sexuality, belonging and transformation all have different meanings when mixed with cultural expectations. By putting women of colour at the forefront of these stories, we’re introduced to the intersectionality of race and religion. A family’s beliefs get in the way of two women who have fallen in love in “The Vetala’s Song,” and another family’s unacceptance of their transgender daughter ultimately breaks them apart in “Midnight at the Oasis.” I’ve heard a lot of these stories before, specifically ones of forbidden love and transgender acceptance, but never from the perspectives that are shared in this collection. The race of each character doesn’t necessarily play a huge role in each story, but it’s an interesting aspect that I really enjoyed and it adds to the conversations surrounding the experiences and lives that are told.

Chrysalis provides an intricate and emotional array of relatable stories while also hiding some of its messages beneath chilling and creepy tales. I love how this collection bounces between genres, using the fantastical and horrifying nature of fairy tales to tell certain stories, even though it originally caught me off guard. You go from reading an emotional story of love and identity, such as in “Cherry Blossom Fever,” where we read about a couple who cheat on each other, to a creepy reimagining of a nursery rhyme in “One Two Buckle my Shoe.” I needed a second between each story to fully take in the hard-hitting topics of each one, but also to remember that the next story could be completely different, in both genre and theme. Varghese uses these genre switches beautifully to express certain themes and emotions, such as “Night Zoo,” where we are introduced to a town through the eyes of its newcomers. I had no idea whether this story included fantastical elements or if it was set in our world. I went in completely blind, unlike other stories where the fantasy is usually made clear within the first line. This story gives you new information as the characters learn it, and by keeping the nature of the town a mystery, I was on edge the whole time, until the twist was finally revealed.

  In certain stories, the genre-bending and fantasy elements were amazing ways to make the readers feel certain emotions. The Cinderella retelling in “Chitra” provides nostalgia and familiarity, while the twisted nursery rhymes and fairy tales use monsters and creatures to express the sense of uncertainty and the unknown. I love how the fantasy stories accentuate the themes of identity and belonging, really driving its message home. The magical stories were the perfect level of fantasy, but the mundane stories spoke for themselves, letting the deep and vulnerable characters and plots shine. These stories are truly heartbreaking and emotional at times, and Varghese knew when to let those emotions talk without the need for monsters and magic.

It’s undeniable that this is a hard book to get through with its discussions of trauma, broken families and lost loves. This is necessary, though, as the goosebumps and heartbreaks that come with reading these stories really accentuate their themes, starting essential discussions about difficult topics. Varghese has created a unique collection that isn’t afraid to shed light on important issues and bring more awareness to taboos. These stories are about sensitive situations that people tend to be too scared to talk about, afraid that someone will get hurt. But by not talking about them, the more taboo they become. There have been many times where I wish health issues were discussed more, especially in relation to women and the struggles that we experience. People are ignorant of the mental and physical struggles that affect not just women, but everyone, and I wish there were more conversations surrounding these topics. We have no room for making these things digestible for others, especially when people aren’t even aware that these scenarios might happen to anyone at any time. Chrysalis isn’t afraid to share the experiences of women because, by addressing these traumas, it acknowledges and validates them while also educating others. Our individual struggles may be personal, but that doesn’t mean we have to deal with them alone.